SAVAGE, Minnesota — Adam Finseth is being remembered as someone who had an unwavering dedication to helping others.
Finseth, 40, joined the city of Burnsville as a firefighter/paramedic in February 2019. He was part of the public safety team's SWAT unit and served as a water rescue trainer. He was also on the city's health and wellness committee.
Prior to joining the city of Burnsville, he served as a firefighter in Hastings and Savage.
Finseth, a resident of Savage, was part of the Savage Fire Department as a paid, on-call firefighter for over six years.
"Adam embodied the true spirit of a firefighter. He was more than just a colleague; he was a family member of the Savage Fire team," according to a Facebook post by the Savage Fire Department. "His legacy is etched in the memories of those who served alongside him and characterized by his calm demeanor and unwavering support for his fellow team members. Adam's impact on our department and community will be remembered, and his selfless service inspires us all."
"This hits close to home for all of us," said Todd Burke, director of The Tactical EMS School.
Finseth was a student at the training camp in 2021. It takes place once a year at Camp Ripley.
"It's a 77-hour program over six days that shows people how to operate as a tactical medical support component in a field operations environment," Burke explained.
The students were split into teams of eight. Finseth was elected as his team's leader.
"Even before we could see that he had talents as a paramedic, that he was a good clinician, the first thing that we noticed was he always had a smile and a kind word," Burke said.
He went on to say, "It was apparent right away that his concern was for his teammates first and himself second."
Minnesota Bureau Criminal of Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said Finseth was part of the SWAT team called into Sunday's incident.
"They were in the process of helping resolve that and, as part of that, they have paramedics that are assigned to that team. They were assisting with the officer, the first one that was injured," said Evans, when Finseth was shot and killed.
"There's an adage when when a warrior falls, a warrior healer stands up," Burke said. "When the fire is burning, the water is rising, the bullets are flying, people that do our job are in harm's way. But we accept that because we know that there's lives to be saved."
According to a GoFundMe page for Finseth, he was a beloved father and loving husband. Jordan Doring wrote, "He cherished his family above all else and worked tirelessly to provide them with love, support, and security."
Doring said the GoFundMe, which currently sits at more than $44,000, has been paused until they can find out from the family how they would like to proceed.
Finseth was also a veteran. According to his LinkedIn, he served in the Army's Bravo Company 1st Battalion 327th Infantry during Operation Iraqi Freedom. A U.S. Army spokesperson said Finseth served in the Army Reserve from February 2003 to October 2003 and the Regular Army from October 2003 to February 2006. He deployed to Iraq from September 2005 to September 2006 and from September 2007 to November 2008, holding the rank of staff sergeant at the end of his service.
The Prior Lake Athletics For Youth organization also posted about Finseth and said he was a volunteer youth baseball coach for the program.
Finseth also worked for EMS in the past at Northfield Hospital + Clinics and Allina Health Emergency Medical Services.
In a statement, Allina Health said, "Our hearts go out to the loved ones of Burnsville Police Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Finseth. Adam Finseth was a valued team member with Allina Health Emergency Medical Services from 2012-2014. We extend our sympathies to all those impacted by this devastating loss."
The community of Rochester is also grieving the loss of Finseth. He graduated from John Marshall High School in 2001.
A procession took place Monday from the Medical Examiner's office in Minnetonka to the city of Jordan, the location of the funeral home that the family is working through. In all, the procession spanned 27 miles and drew hundreds of people along the way.
Justin Rasmusson traveled from Prior Lake to show his respect. He knew Finseth through the local Boy Scout troop, where their sons were members.
"We just figured it was the right thing to do, to support him and support the family," Rasmusson said. "We went to an event on Friday with them. It's just a really sad deal."
Dave Giles, a retired Burnsville firefighter, saluted the procession as it pulled into the funeral home. He spent most of Sunday at the Burnsville Fire Department.
"It's a sad day," Giles said. "You don't ever want to lose part of your family. And that's what it is. Fire and police, they're your family."