Police officers saluted at Coon Rapids citizens' rally

Against a backdrop of fatal shootings and other violence that has heightened police and civilians' nerves across the Twin Cities in recent weeks, hundreds saluted Minnesota's police forces at a Coon Rapids rally Friday night.

The Law Enforcement Appreciation Event, meant as a counterpoint to "Black Lives Matter" protests critical of police, drew a crowd ranging from everyday citizens to Anoka County law enforcement's top brass.

Missy Rumble, the daughter of a retired Coon Rapids police officer, planned the free concert and rally after watching news accounts of officers gunned down on the job. The Blaine administrative assistant said she floated the idea with community members and support for a pro-police rally was immediate and overwhelming.

"It's great all these people want to show their support for the police," Rumble said. "Everyone is really excited about it. Everyone wants to help."

Brooklyn Park Mayor Jeff Lunde and Coon Rapids Mayor Jerry Koch drifted through the crowd. Both said they came to show support for their officers.

Anoka County Sheriff James Stuart and Coon Rapids Police Chief Brad Wise addressed the overflow crowd at Coon Rapids American Legion Post 334. Organizers held a moment of silence for Aitkin Sheriff's Deputy Steven M. Sandberg, who was shot and killed in the line of duty Sunday. His funeral was held earlier in the day Friday.

"I am humbled and overwhelmed by the number of people here. Thank you," said Wise. "I want young people to know this profession is good. It's an honorable, noble profession worth pursuing."

"I am confident the vast majority of law enforcement officers take this job for the right reasons and are good people," Stuart said. "Our protectors are not our enemies. … Police lives matter. It does not mean police lives matter more."

The crowd erupted in applause during parts of Stuart's speech.

Brother and sister Pam Sweeney and Bruce Johnson arrived when the doors opened, saying they wanted to show support for police during an era when cops are sometimes painted as the bad guys. They understand the risks cops take and the sacrifices cops and their families make.

In 1972, their father, Roseville Police officer Howard Johnson, was shot and killed by a fleeing bank robber. Sweeney said her dad responded to the call while on his lunch break — evidence, she said, of his kindness and commitment. She worries that young people these days believe police are the enemies.

"We were never afraid of the cops like kids are now, or thought they were out to get us. I think some young people are taught to hate cops," Sweeney said. "I think a lot of people do support their local officers. They have never been given a platform to show support. Missy [Rumble] has offered us this platform."

Originally, Rumble called the event Police Lives Matter, a play on the Black Lives Matter movement that emerged in 2013 to protest police brutality against black Americans.

Rumble said she changed the name after the sheriff fielded some complaints.

Rumble said she had no opinion on the Black Lives Matter group, but said she'd rather support than protest.

Nationwide, some Black Lives Matter supporters have criticized the refrain "All Lives Matter" and other variations on their name, arguing that it ignores decades of institutional racism and police brutality.

Shannon Prather • 612-673-4804