Paul Elmstrand’s siblings sometimes lovingly called him “the littlest old man”: He was a responsible kid who made friends with his teachers, didn’t mind dressing up for school events and was already on his way to becoming a police officer in high school.
The baby of the family — he was 13 years younger than the eldest — he was always along for the ride, watching and learning from his tight-knit group of siblings, his oldest sister, Becky Johnson, said. “He showed up for everything for us.”
He learned from them to chart his own sure path and chose helping others through law enforcement, she said.
Elmstrand, a 27-year-old Burnsville police officer, was fatally shot Feb. 18 along with officer Matthew Ruge and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth, while responding to a domestic incident.
Johnson said the way her brother showed up in his work was similar to the way he showed up in other parts of his life: He didn’t demand much and was willing to take risks and make sacrifices for others. Friends and family described him as a devoted husband, loving father and man of faith with a servant’s heart. His strong sense of duty was leavened with a sense of humor, they said.
On the family farm in North Branch, Elmstrand’s capacity for both purpose and fun was clear, Johnson said.
“He seemed drawn to professionalism, but yet, it was really balanced because he was a pretty goofy, playful kid,” she said, describing him playing in the woods and with the family dog.
Years ago, when the Elmstrand siblings planned a Colorado backpacking trip before Johnson’s wedding, there was no question that Paul, who was 10 at the time, would come along.