Maple Grove Police Officer Receives National First Responder Citation

Maple Grove Police Officer Mike Helman was one of several recently recognized by members of the Military Order Purple Heart of Minnesota during a ceremony honoring those who have been injured while performing their duties. 

Officer Helman received the National First Responder Citation, a civilian honor from Purple Heart recipients, for the injuries he sustained in the line-of-duty on Dec. 16, 2011. 

Helman was near the end of his shift last December when he was called to the store on a disturbance call. A customer was reportedly hostile and refusing to leave the store. He was assaulted and continues to remain on leave from the Maple Grove Police Department due to injuries he sustained.

“Officer Helman is truly deserving of this recognition and we honor him for his service to our community,” Maple Grove Police Chief David Jess said.

City staff and many members of the Maple Grove Police Department were in attendance in support of Helman and his family at the Military Order of the Purple Heart ceremony.

"They put their life on the line, too," said Mark Browne, Dept. Commander wrote on the for the Military Order Purple Heart of Minnesota website about the National First Responder Citation. "It's important for the community to know what police officers, fire fighters, and paramedics do."

The Military Order of the Purple Heart ceremony for the Law Enforcement and Fire Service Citations was Oct. 20 at the Coon Rapids VFW.

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