Roseville Police Sergeant Eric Christensen

1964-2006
 
Sgt. Eric Christensen was a 16-year member of the Roseville Police Department.  He was a man of principle, integrity, honor, and possessed the finest qualities of a police officer.  Sgt. Eric Christensen was an inspiration to so many people within the department and in the community.  He demonstrated the highest standard of competence, leadership, and professionalism in everything he did.  He truly made Roseville a better place.

The Eric Christensen Memorial Scholarship was established by his family in honor of Eric’s life and commitment to the citizens of Roseville, Minnesota.

Besides being an outstanding police officer, Sgt. Christensen was also very much a family man.  He was born in Roseville, graduated from Alexander Ramsey High School, and loved spending time with his wife, two children, and his friends.  He enjoyed the outdoors; fishing, hunting, skiing, and playing ball.  He was as passionate and dedicated in his personal life as he was in his professional career. In November 2006, Sgt. Eric Christensen lost a courageous battle with an aggressive cancer.  His memorial card summed it up best:
 
One saw him as a husband.  Two saw him as a father.  Some saw him as a brother.  Many saw him as a policeman.  Most saw him as a friend.  Eric was seen in many different ways, but what we all saw was a man who shined so brightly, who loved so deeply, who lived so fully and who gave so willingly.  Our sorrow now is great, but our lives are so much richer because of what we saw in Eric. 

Professional accomplishments:
 
Sgt. Christensen held numerous positions throughout his 16-year career with the Roseville Police Department-Explorer Advisor, Field Training Officer, Canine Officer, Use of Force Instructor, Range Officer, Awards Committee Member, Tactical Response Unit Member and Team Leader, Patrol Sergeant, and Case Coordinator of the Investigation Unit. Prior to being hired as a Roseville Police Officer, he volunteered as a Roseville Police Reserve Officer.

The role that most defined his law enforcement career was that of a leader.  In 1999, Sgt. Christensen was promoted to the rank of sergeant.  He excelled as a patrol sergeant and later as an investigative sergeant.  He inspired officers on his team to go above and beyond and achieve excellence.  He led by example and inspired people with his indomitable optimism.  He encouraged officers to not simply respond to calls, but to prevent crime and resolve community problems.  He recognized the need for the police to work with the citizens.  Sgt. Christensen’s leadership created a culture of initiative, increased responsibility, and dedication to the community.  In 2000, former Roseville Chief Paul Wood commented, “Sgt. Christensen has brought a very high level of commitment and enthusiasm to his new position.  I am very impressed by his attention to details, commitment to the K-9, TRU, and range instruction units and also by his loyalty to the Department and the City of Roseville.”

He also led with tremendous compassion.  When a Roseville police officer was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Sgt. Christensen led the fundraising effort.  He was extremely involved in supporting the officer and his family during the illness and after the officer’s death. Sgt. Christensen gave so much to everyone he worked with, both professionally and personally.

Even after his diagnosis with a rare stomach cancer, Sgt. Christensen continued to serve.  He came to work while battling cancer, despite being in severe pain and being on a chemo pump.  He continued to check his work e-mail and voice mail during his hospitalizations.  Even from his hospital bed, he continued to lead and inspire his team.  He arranged for a wireless laptop so that he could review and assign cases while undergoing treatment.  He truly loved his job and he continued to serve the community with passion and dedication until his last days.

Innovation

Sgt. Christensen was truly an innovative thinker.  He was always looking to find a better way to do things.  He never just sat around and complained.  Instead, he made things happen.
 
A few years ago, Sgt. Christensen saw a need for space for the K9 officers to train with their dogs.  Since budgets were very tight, purchasing land and equipment for a canine training facility was not an option.  Sgt. Christensen collaborated with a local business that had an open field that was not being utilized. The business agreed to allow the Roseville Police Department to use the open space for a much needed canine training facility.

Sgt. Christensen then completed a proposal to use drug-forfeited money to pay for the training equipment.  Sgt. Christensen volunteered much of his own time to build and paint the various training equipment, saving the city a substantial amount of money.  In 2004, he was featured on WCCO television for his creativity and innovation in the development of the canine training site.

Sgt. Christensen was also instrumental in obtaining military equipment for the tactical response unit through a federal pilot program.  His dedication and time commitment resulted in the Roseville Police receiving tactical supplies that otherwise would have not been available due to budget constraints.  He was also instrumental in obtaining donated gas masks for officers in preparation for Y2K.

Sgt. Christensen was the driving force behind expanding the Roseville canine program.  Initially, Sgt. Christensen was the only canine officer.  He recognized the incredible need for additional canines on the other shifts.  Sgt. Christensen obtained donations from several community members and organizations and was able to expand the program to three dogs.

Sgt Christensen was a key player in implementing a canine pilot program for veterinary care.  Previously, it had been difficult for the department to budget for medical expenses for the dogs since they varied greatly from year to year.  Sgt. Christensen assisted in partnering with the University of Minnesota for a medical plan that charged a yearly fee for all necessary veterinary care, which made canine budgeting much more efficient.

Awards

Sgt. Christensen was one of Roseville’s most decorated officers.  His dedication, bravery, and tenacity earned him numerous awards and letters of appreciation, including 13 Letters of Commendation and 5 Unit Citations.  His awards encompassed a broad spectrum of policing, ranging from removing an unconscious woman from a fire, talking a suicidal woman off a bridge, to catching numerous robbery and burglary suspects. His personnel file was full of countless letters of appreciation and thanks from citizens, supervisors, and other agencies.

Sgt. Christensen received several letters of appreciation from Mother’s Against Drunk Drivers for his DWI enforcement throughout his career.  In 2004, he received a certificate of appreciation from MADD for his enforcement efforts.  Perhaps most impressive was the fact that Sgt. Christensen was so committed to DWI enforcement, while balancing and excelling at his sergeant and canine duties.

In 2002, Sgt. Christensen and his crew received two unit citations.  One involved their heroic response to a violent domestic assault.  The other incident involved an 86-year old man who had wandered from the nursing home in which Sgt. Christensen’s team was innovative and persistent in locating the victim.

In 2003, Sgt. Christensen received a unit citation for his response to a fire at a nursing home.  He was the first officer to arrive and was instrumental in quickly evacuating residents from the smoke filled room.

In 2005, Sgt. Christensen and his K9 Partner Cooper received a unit citation for their exceptional work involving a suspect with a knife who was threatening suicide by cop.  Sgt. Christensen helped diffuse the situation and negotiate with the suspect.  Ultimately, the suspect was taken into custody without incident or injury due to the tactical response and effective negotiations performed by Sgt. Christensen and his crew.

In 2006, Sgt. Christensen was awarded the Roseville Law Enforcement Silver Wings for his outstanding efforts to reduce accidents through traffic enforcement.

Community Involvement
 
Sgt. Christensen was extremely dedicated to serving and giving back to the citizens of Roseville, the community where he grew up.  The officers that worked with him were astounded with his knowledge of the city and residents.  When he would be dispatched to a call, he often would know exactly which specific house it was and who lived there.  He made a point of getting to know and maintaining a relationship with residents.  He routinely drove the residential streets and talked with citizens. He truly embraced and practiced the philosophy of community-oriented policing.

Sgt. Christensen was always one of the first people to volunteer to help with community activities.  Throughout his career, he participated in countless community events, including block parties, crime prevention presentations, canine demonstrations, Citizen and Youth Academies, Shop-with-a-Cop, and National Night Out Events.  In 2004, The Rotary Club of Roseville made a donation to a city park in appreciation for a presentation that Sgt. Eric Christensen and his K9 Cooper had made.

At a neighborhood block party, a Roseville couple was so impressed with Sgt. Christensen that they offered to write out a check that day to fund another canine position.  The couple ultimately ended up donating over $70,000 to the Roseville Police Department for the canine program and much needed police equipment.

The countless thank-you letters that Sgt. Christensen received from citizens speak for themselves and provide just a glimpse of Sgt. Christensen’s dedication and professionalism to the community.  Here are just a few excerpts from letters that he received:

“Sergeant, you made such a positive and lasting impression on my 4-year old twin grandbabies…You are one terrific person and police officer and all of us are the grateful beneficiaries of your selflessness and good heart.”

“Sergeant, I wanted to drop you a quick note and thank you for your great help in the situation with my son.  Your help has given me a light at the end of the tunnel.”

“I am writing to send a word of thanks to Officer E. Christensen for the assistance he gave us yesterday morning at 5:30 am.  My mother had fallen and we called for assistance from the paramedics.  Officer Christensen arrived within minutes and remained through out the assessment.  When the paramedics arrived, they said that they felt confident that my mother hadn’t broken her hip, and thought it would be ok for us to drive her to the hospital.  They left, but Officer Christensen remained to help, which really was great since she could not walk.  He was very pleasant, but he left before I had a chance to thank him for his care and concern.”

Sgt. Eric Christensen was committed to community-oriented policing.  He responded to every call with an incredible amount of professionalism and enthusiasm, regardless of whether it was a medical, lost dog, or a robbery call.  Sgt. Christensen never viewed his role as simply responding to calls.  He focused his efforts on preventing crime and resolving community problems.  He made a point of teaming with citizens to improve the quality of life in the community.

 Summary

 Roseville Police Sergeant Eric Christensen was truly a hero and inspiration to so many people.  He displayed immense dedication and commitment throughout his career.

In April of 2007, Sergeant Eric Christensen was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the Minnesota Chiefs Association. His wife, son and daughter were there to accept the award in honor and in memory of Eric.