Appointed – April 23, 1962
End of Watch – September 25, 1992
Today we are thinking about Officer Jerome “Jerry” Haaf who was killed in the line of duty on this day in 1992.
Officer Haaf was working his regular traffic assignment in South Minneapolis when he stopped by the Pizza Shack – a well-known favorite spot of Minneapolis Police Officers – for a coffee break.
As Officer Haaf sat drinking his coffee and reading the newspaper, two men who were later identified as members of the “Vice Lords” gang working on an order from its leader to kill a police officer came up behind Officer Haaf and shot him several times in the back.
Officer Haaf called for help on his radio while patrons, including a retired Minneapolis Police Officer, came to his aid.
Squad cars and an ambulance arrived quickly on the scene to rush Officer Haaf to Hennepin County Medical Center where he died from his wounds.
A multi-agency investigation into the killing of Officer Haaf ensued and after months of investigation, the two men who killed Officer Haaf, along with the others who had helped them, were apprehended, convicted, and sent to prison.
Officer Haaf was appointed to the Minneapolis Police Department on April 23, 1962 and served for 30 years.
He was 53 years of age and was only months away from retirement at the time of his killing.
Officer Haaf was survived by his loving wife, Marilyn, their daughter and two sons, and their grandchildren.
Officer Haaf is still remembered and honored by his many friends at the Minneapolis Police Department and throughout the community. He is in our thoughts and conversations, especially on this day.
In the words of a friend of his this morning, “He was always happy and made the shift a good time for all. A gentle man and hard working. Missed very much for sure.”
