HomeMy WebLinkAboutFeb 4 - Schoenhard
City of Edina 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Krystal Caron, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0347 kcaron@EdinaMN.gov www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Police Officer Schoenhard Sworn In
Edina, Minn., Feb. 4, 2016 – Police Officer Beau Schoenhard was sworn in Wednesday, Jan. 27, joining
the ranks of Edina’s finest. Schoenhard was welcomed by Police Chief Dave Nelson and congratulated by
friends and family during the swearing-in ceremony held in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Previously, Schoenhard served as a police officer at New Hope where he sustained a gunshot wound in the
line of duty at a shooting during a New Hope City Council meeting. Shot in the left hand and arm,
Schoenhard was told he would never return to work.
“The doctors said, ‘You’re not going back to work. You’re not going to have feeling in your hand; if you do
return to work you’re probably going to be very limited.’ The only solution for me was that I was going
back to work. I never thought that I wouldn’t. There’s no way I wasn’t going to return,” said Schoenhard.
Schoenhard had had his sights set on coming to work for Edina for over a year and was in the process of
interviewing when the shooting occurred. After he sustained the injury, he continued to stay in contact with
Deputy Chief Jeff Elasky and Police Chief Dave Nelson.
“I had a goal in mind; [working at Edina] was still on the horizon. Had it not been … I probably wouldn’t
have pushed myself as hard,” said Schoenhard. “Every day that went by felt like that window was getting
smaller and I just had to get better -- there was no other option.”
“Edina Police Department has a reputation as being a destination department. When they get a job here,
they stay here for the rest of their career. I consider Edina to be a great choice for Beau and I’m glad that
he has chosen us to be his destination department,” Nelson said at the swearing-in ceremony. “With Beau
coming on board, we can say for the first time in history that we’ll have 52 officers on the roster.”
Schoenhard obtained a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Economics from University of St.
Thomas and went on to work at Carlson Companies. He was a Reserve Officer with the City of Fridley for
three years, which led to his interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement. He went on to obtain a
bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement from Metropolitan State University. Schoenhard worked for the City
of New Hope for seven years before coming to Edina. His wife, Brigid, pinned on his badge, No. 155, at the
swearing-in ceremony. They were joined for pictures by his 2-year-old son, Brodie.
For information, contact the Edina Police Department at 952-826-1610 or visit www.EdinaMN.gov/Police.
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