Hundreds Gather To Mourn Slain Officer

WEST ST. PAUL (AP) - Hundreds of people came together at a candlelight vigil to honor a Mendota Heights police officer killed while making a traffic stop in West St. Paul.

Some placed flowers, balloons, small American flags and other mementoes curbside where Officer Scott Patrick was fatally shot Wednesday afternoon.

The crowd at Wednesday night's vigil cheered when someone yelled that there had been an arrest in the officer's death.

Mendota Heights Mayor Sandra Krebsbach says Patrick's death is a devastating loss to the city and the police department. Krebsbach describes Patrick as a dedicated officer, yet jovial with an easygoing disposition.

The 47-year-old officer served the Mendota Heights department for 19 years. He was a husband and father of two teenage daughters.