William Chi Ma-iingan (Big Wolf) Blake

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Blake, Sgt. William Chi Ma-iingan (Big Wolf) Age 45, of Fridley, MN died on August 1, 2009 at the U of M Heart Hospital. Sgt. William Blake (aka: "Billy") was born on 6-28-64 at Miller Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota to Valerian and Charlotte Blake. Bill and family are proud enrolled members of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. He grew up in St. Paul and attended St. Mark's (St. Paul), St. Phillip's (Bemidji) and graduated from St. Bernard's (St. Paul) in 1982. He went on to Lakeland Community College where he received an Associates Degree in Law Enforcement. Blake was Founder and President of NALES and I CARE. During his 17 year career with the MPD, he was awarded the Medal of Valor, two Medals of Commendation, a Unit Campaign Citation for the Multi-cultural Recruitment Team, Chief's Award of Merit for NALES Planning Team which forged an ongoing collaboration between law enforcement and the Native American Community. Bill greatly enhanced the image of the Minneapolis Police Department. Preceded in death by his father, Valerian; daughters, Erica Rae and Marissa Blake; and maternal grandparents, Robert and Nellie Spears. He is survived by his four children: Jimmy, Alexis, Melissa (Mother: Dawn Blake) and Olivia (Mother: Brenda Rood) and grandson, Isaiah; two brothers: Bob and Joe, his mother Charlotte and Step-Dad, Bill Monette; aunts, Frances Pell, Norby Blake, Alberta Jackson, Roberta Boyd; uncles, Leonard, Jim (Maria), and Bill (Ruth) Spears, Godfather John Spears; The Minneapolis Police Department Family; and his numerous cousins and good friends too numerous to mention. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the CATHEDRAL OF SAINT PAUL, 239 Selby Ave. Visitation at Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Ave., St. Paul 4-8 PM Tuesday and at church 1 hour prior to Mass. An additional Mass will be held at the Humanities Center in Red Lake on Friday, 8/7/09 at 10:30 AM. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery, Red Lake. The family has requested that no flowers, but cards may be sent to: The Blake Family, 151 83rd Avenue NE, Apt. 206, Fridley, MN 55432. A Memorial Fund for Bill has been set up at all Wells Fargo locations for the Native American Law Enforcement Summit. Checks can be sent to Native American Law Enforcement Summit, 1811 University Ave. NE, Suite 200, Mpls., MN 55418. Willwerscheid Funeral Home & Cremation Service 651-228-1006

Published on August 4, 2009