Services planned for decorated park police officer killed on duty

By David Chanen, Star Tribune

Last update: November 11, 2007 - 8:47 PM

Visitation and funeral services for Minneapolis park police officer Mark Bedard will be held this week.

Bedard, 34, died Friday of injuries he received when he was hit by another officer's squad car while chasing a suspect on Nov. 1. He was the first park police officer to die in the line of duty from a traumatic incident in the department's more than 100-year history.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Home, 5000 W. 50th St. in Edina. Refreshments will be served beginning at 6 p.m. at the Minneapolis Park Board headquarters, 2117 W. River Road in Minneapolis.

Bedard's funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Basilica of St. Mary, 88 N. 17th St. in Minneapolis. The funeral procession will leave the basilica and pass Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun to Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Av. S., Minneapolis.

He is survived by his wife, Andi, and 2-year-old son Nick.

Bedard, who joined the park police in 1997, had a personnel file full of recognition for his work. Last year, he received the department's Medal of Commendation for securing a chaotic scene during a shootout in north Minneapolis that sent a bullet through his squad windshield. The incident happened just a few blocks from where he was hit while running into an alley after a shooting suspect last week.

DAVID CHANEN

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