HomeMy WebLinkAboutTop Gun Award Press Release
City of Edina 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Lauren Siebenaler, Communications Intern
Phone 952-833-9522 commintern@EdinaMN.gov EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Edina SWAT Takes First Place at 2016 Top Gun Competition
Edina, Minn., Sept. 28, 2016 – Edina SWAT members placed first in this year’s Top Gun competition at
the annual Minnesota Tactical Officers Association (MTOA) SWAT conference at Camp Ripley. It was the
second consecutive year the Edina SWAT team took top honors in the competition.
“They accepted the award proudly because they earned it. They worked very hard for it. They were
disciplined in their training and disciplined in the competition as well,” said Police Lt. Brian Tholen.
Andrew Slama, Joe Struzyk, Pete Knaeble, Todd Porthan, Brandon Kuske, Jason Behr, David Boosalis, Brian
Tholen, Ryan Schultz, Chad Anderson, Anna Eckstein, Darren Cizek, Adam L’Heureux and Dave Nelson
attended the conference.
This year, each team had to have 10 members compete instead of each team only sending their top four or
five shooters. So, Slama, Struzyk, and Knaeble -- Edina paramedics -- stepped up to help. Paramedics train with
SWAT as well, but don’t nearly get as much shooting practice as police officers.
“I don’t think other teams knew that we had three SWAT paramedics on our shooting team. It was great to
see them step up and shoot alongside the team and do so well,” said Tholen.
Several different disciplines were tested during the competition, including pistols, entry rifles and sniper rifles.
Participants were graded and scored in their accuracy, time and teamwork.
“We’re very proud that we’ve done great training to bring our level of expertise up and prove that 10 people
can compete against 16 other teams to take home Top Gun. It’s the most coveted award for SWAT,” said
Tholen.
The MTOA SWAT Conference was held Sunday, Sept. 18 through Wednesday, Sept. 21. For more
information on Edina’s SWAT Team, contact Kuske, 952-826-1604.
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City of Edina 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424