Fallen police officer memorial unveiled in Grand Forks

GRAND FORKS — Their sacrifice is now forever engraved in the community.

Grand Forks is honoring the lives of officers who have been killed in the line of duty across northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.

The Northern Valley Law Enforcement Memorial at Optimist Park features four pillars. One representing northeast North Dakota, northwest Minnesota, federal agents and officers from Manitoba.

It started as a dream six years ago by former Grand Forks County Sheriff Bob Rost.

“Something permanent in stone that people can come to everyday,” he said.

The memorial has names of local officers killed in the line of duty, like East Grand Forks patrolman Kenneth Olson who was shot and killed 45 years ago while responding to a report of a prowler.

Officer Olson and his widow Bonnie Andrys were only married for four months when the 25-year-old was killed.

“It seems a lot more personal and it’s important for the community to be able to see it year round,” Andrys said.

The $400,000 project was fully funded by donations.

“It is always going to be here, so the people remember that things happen. They paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Rost said.

Rost and Andrys both pointed out the importance of the memorial, a symbol that tragedy can happen in small town North Dakota as well as what has been sacrificed.

During each of the event’s 11 years Andrys carried a rose in honor of her fallen husband. This time it was more emotional seeing his name etched on the wall.

“(S)ometimes you forget their names when you just hear it called, but when you can stand there and read it, it’s a beautiful thing,” she said. “Life can change in a second, and it’s important we keep remembering them.”

Matt Henson is an Emmy award-winning reporter/photographer/editor for WDAY. Prior to joining WDAY in 2019, Matt was the main anchor at WDAZ in Grand Forks for four years. He was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia and attended college at Lyndon State College in northern Vermont, where he was recognized twice nationally, including first place, by the National Academy for Arts and Science for television production. Matt enjoys being a voice for the little guy. He focuses on crimes and courts and investigative stories. Just as often, he shares tear-jerking stories and stories of accomplishment. Matt enjoys traveling to small towns across North Dakota and Minnesota to share their stories. He can be reached at mhenson@wday.com and at 610-639-9215. When he’s not at work (rare) Matt resides in Moorhead and enjoys spending time with his daughter, golfing and attending Bison and Sioux games.