ST. PAUL, Minn. — Sunday was a solemn day in the state capital, where firefighters and their families spent the afternoon remembering those who died in the line of duty.
Adam Finseth was among those honored Sunday. The Burnsville firefighter and paramedic were killed in the line of duty in February, along with police officers Matthew Ruge and Paul Elmstrand.
Finseth was honored along with the four other firefighters; Arthur Clark Sr., Lloyd Conley Sr., Kayla Giefer and Thomas McDonough Jr.; now their names are etched into Minnesota’s Fallen Firefighter Memorial in the state’s capital.
One by one, the names of the more than 240 Minnesota firefighters who died in the line of duty were read from the honor roll dating back to 1881.
“We must ensure we never take for granted the sacrifice made by families and loved ones,” said Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan.
Finseth family
For the family, Sunday’s memorial ceremony to remember Finseth helps ease the pain of the loss, at least temporarily.
“After these moments, it gets really hard again,” said Finseth’s brother-in-law, Austin Smith.
The family is still struggling to cope with the loss of the man who wanted nothing more than to be a Burnsville firefighter.
“We have to let go of the future I thought I had with my brother. Thinking about his children is a daily concern,” said Amber Smith, Finseth’s sister.
Burnsville Fire Chief BJ Jungmann said Fineseth will be remembered for his positivity and energy.
“It’s a lot. It’s never easy to lose someone who is such a great team member and has brought so much to the team,” Jungmann said.
Finseth’s legacy will now have lasting value, among the hundreds of others who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“Adam can always be a hero and someone we can look up to, he set the example for all of us,” Jungmann said.
