Flags Lowered to Half Staff Today in Honor of Slain Minnesota Police Officer

The funeral of Cold Spring Police Officer Tom Decker takes place today, and flags throughout the state will fly at half mast. Up to 2,000 officers from around the country could attend, according to a story by the St. Cloud Times.

Police from departments throughout the Lake Minnetonka area will attend the funeral as well, including officers from Minnetonka, Burnsville, Roseville, Lakeville, Edina and Fridley. Sheriff's offices from Washington, Hennepin and Ramsey counties will also be on hand to lay officer Decker to rest, as will representatives from the Three Rivers Park District.

Wayzata Police Chief Mike Risvold posted the following on the department's Facebook page last night:

"While reflecting at the end of the day, remember Officer Tom Decker, his family, his police department, and the Cold Spring community. And remember that all over this country, including here in Wayzata, while most of us sleep, officers are working, risking their saftey and lives in every call they respond to, fulfilling their mission to keep the peace, protect the community, and help their fellow man. They are our heroes. Flags in Wayzata and all over Minnesota will fly at half staff tomorrow in honor of Officer Decker. Join me in saluting these peacekeepers."

Wayzata is among the Minnesota police departments who have had officers killed in the line of duty. The department recently commemorated the 30-year anniversary of James Anderson's death.

Line-of-duty deaths average about 1.5 per year in Minnesota.

The suspect in officer Decker's shooting death last Thursday was released without charges Tuesday.