Man Previously Jailed In Cop's Death Accused Of Stalking

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The man once accused in the death of a Cold Spring police officer has been accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend.

Police say 34-year-old Ryan Larson allegedly called his ex-girlfriend's employer, in an attempt to get her fired. The charges were filed Wednesday in Wright County and a warrant for Larson's arrest was issued Thursday.

Larson has been charged with one count of stalking and one count of harassment.

According to the complaint, Larson's ex told police she had been receiving numerous phone calls, text messages, emails after they broke up in February -- including contact with two of her employers which resulted in her losing one of her jobs in June. She said she obtained a restraining order, which prohibits Larson from having any contact with her and the messages stopped after the incident on Nov. 29.

However, she said she received a few calls and texts in the past month or so that she believes was from Larson.

Larson denies the charges, saying he doesn't understand why he's been charged.

Larson sent a statement saying he wants to set the record straight, because it's "wearing me out."

Larson denies he violated a restraining order and claims he hasn't had contact with his ex since August.

"It's a pathetic excuse to make me look bad," he said. "She violated my civil rights by accessing my medical records."

Larson claims the woman making these accusations accessed his medical files at the St. Cloud Medical group, while she was employed there. Upon discovering that she had accessed his files, he filed a report to the Minnesota Board of Nursing claiming she violated his privacy. Larson said a day after he filed his report, she asked for a restraining order.

Larson said he also doesn't understand why people continue to believe he is a suspect in Officer Tom Decker's death.

Larson was arrested the night of Decker's murder, after the officer was shot behind a Cold Spring bar on Nov. 29. Larson spent four days in jail before being released.

Officials released details that would later link a man Decker once arrested to his death. Eric Thomes was listed as a person of interest in the case, but the day police went to speak with him regarding Decker, he committed suicide. The murder weapon was discovered in a home that Thomes had access to.