Funeral service held for Lakeville police officer
Sgt. Brigham Strole, a 20-year veteran of Lakeville force, died in a motorcycle crash on Sept. 1
by Derrick Williams
Thisweek Newspapers
Funeral services were held for Lakeville Police Sgt. Brigham Scott Strole, a 20-year veteran of Lakeville’s Police Department, on Wednesday, Sept. 8.
Strole was killed in an off-duty motorcycle crash near his home on Wednesday, Sept. 1.
Most of the Lakeville Police Department’s officers and staff were at the funeral for Strole, held at Hosanna! Church in Lakeville.
A number of officers from other agencies also attended the service.
Following the funeral, 18 Lakeville Police cruisers escorted the hearse carrying Strole’s body back to White Funeral Home in Lakeville, stopping for nearly a minute in front of the Lakeville Police Station as a memorial.
Lakeville Police Chief Thomas Vonhof said Strole, 46, was the only victim of the one-vehicle incident which occurred in a residential neighborhood of Lakeville at 9 p.m.
“We’re still in shock,” Vonhof said. “You just can’t prepare for something like this.”
Vonhof said he broke the news to the department at a full-department meeting the night of the crash, and officers have been wearing mourning bands on their badges since the crash.
“Brigham was a very generous person in that he was always willing to mentor younger officers and share his experience with them,” Vonhof said. “Words cannot express the level of loss and sorrow.”
At the Sept. 7 City Council meeting, a moment of silence was observed in Strole’s honor.
According Lt. Eric Roeske of the State Patrol, the agency investigating the crash, investigators are trying to determine if Strole lost control of his motorcycle after he hit a pothole or manhole cover along Jordan Court just south of Jonquil Avenue.
In the incident, Strole was thrown from his motorcycle and hit his head on the curb. He wasn’t wearing a helmet.
Roeske said alcohol didn’t appear to be a factor, but authorities were investigating all causes.
Vonhof said in the 30-plus years he’s been with Lakeville’s Police Department, this is the first time they’ve lost an officer.
“He was close to a lot of us,” Vonhof said. “He was a mentor to many officers.”
Strole is probably best known in Lakeville as the human half of one of Lakeville’s two K-9 teams.
“You can’t talk about Brigham and not talk about his K-9 partner Blue,” Vonhof said.
During the duo’s eight-year partnership, Strole and Blue were considered among the best K-9 teams in the country, rising to 13th nationally.
“He had such a passion for his work,” Vonhof said.
Strole served with Blue for eight years until the canine was retired in March of this year.
Strole received numerous commendations and awards for his service over the years, according to Lakeville police.
During his years in uniform, Strole also served as a member of the SWAT team, and as a field training officer and instructor in defensive tactics and firearms.
Lakeville police and fire departments responded to the crash along with a team of Allina paramedics. Strole was airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center where he died.
Strole is preceded in death by his sister, Sharrah Strole. He is survived by his children, Jacob and Jenna Strole and their mother, Lynn Strole; father, Russell (Bonnie) Strole; mother, Jodi (Wallace) Anderson; significant other, Mary DeGroot; brother, Elliot (Stacey) Strole; sister, Casse Strole and his K-9 companion, Blue.
E-mail Derrick Williams at:
lakeville.thisweek@ecm-inc.com
He was a great guy! This shouldnt of ever happened, it doesnt make any sense. I hope he is ok and knows he is loved and missed
Strole was a great man and a great officer. I will horribly miss coming back to Lakeville and seeing him out on patrol. He will be missed terribly.. Much love to his family and fellow officers during this tragic time.
My deepest condolences to Officer Brigham Strole’s family, Blue, and fellow officers! He was a great officer and will be missed!
This is a tragic loss…Sgt. Brigham Strole was a wonderful man and officer. I will miss him terribly. My thoughts and prayers are with his family!
Many thoughts and prayers go out to Sgt. Strole, his family and friends. A very similar accident happened to my father many years ago, also a K9 officer, and it brings back the memories. I hope his family, friends and co-workers will find peace in their memories and times together with him. Condolences.
My condolences to Sgt. Strole’s family, friends and fellow officers. My brother had worked with Sgt. Strole and had nothing but the nicest words for him. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is grieving.
My condolences to Sgt. Strole’s family, friends, and co-workers. I know that he was a class act and will be greatly missed. Just 2 years ago the City of Lakeville lost another employee to a motorcycle accident so I’m sure this accident will be difficult for everyone to deal with.
My thoughts and prayers for Sgt. Strole and his family. I work with his son Jake and was shocked and saddened to hear about Sgt. Stroles accident. The family will be in my thoughts as they grieve the loss of their father,brother, son and friend.
Our condolences go out to Sgt Strole’s family, friends, co-workers and his partner Blue. In the summer of 2009, my daughter & I were lucky enough to watch one of their demonstrations at North Park. What a special treat it was to see them working together. Our city has lost a great person. May God bless all of our police officers who protect our city. Thank you for your dedication Sgt. Strole. The people of Lakeville will definitely miss you!
i will miss you so much brig. you were such a great man. my prayers will forever be with your family. you are my hero!!