COLD SPRING, Minn. (KMSP) -
Just because a community has dealt with tragedy before, that doesn't make it easier to face with a new one. In fact, the fatal shooting of Officer Tom Decker is raising the memories of previous violence for many.
"Any time someone is killed, it's going to bring back memories -- and not good ones," said Lynn Schurman, owner of Cold Spring Bakery.
The shocking loss of an officer in the line of duty is a traumatic tragedy for residents, but the grief and sorrow that follows sudden, violent loss is nothing new to the town.
"My entire community is devastated and heartbroken," said Debbie Dierkshising.
The last place Decker stopped for duty was Winners Bar, which sits just 10 miles from where Officer Brian Kleinfelter, of St. Joseph, was shot and killed in 1996.
"I got a text message from my daughter this morning. She said she just couldn't believe it because she graduated both with the man that was killed in Rockford and she graduated with the cop that was killed in her town," said Clare Poepping.
Decker's death also comes 11 years after the Rocori High School shooting that left two teens dead -- a nightmare that still feels like yesterday for some.
"It's too much on a small town, and you just have to wonder what's going on," aid Poepping.
Those memories make losing a well-loved husband and father that much tougher to take, especially in a small town where nearly everyone knew Decker and his family.
"This is a small community," Dierkshising said. "We have eight policemen … it's just tragic."
Multiple donation funds have been established to help Decker's family. Information on where checks can be sent can be found below:
Tom Decker Memorial Fund
State Bank of Cold Spring
PO Box 415
Cold Spring, MN 56320
Tom Decker Memorial Fund
1st National Bank of Cold Spring
PO Box 416
Cold Spring, MN 56320
Tom Decker Memorial Fund
Central Minnesota Credit Union
202 Red River Avenue South
Cold Spring, MN 56320
Tom Decker Memorial Fund
All Wells Fargo locations
