Hutchinson's Eric Kilian Named Minnesota Officer Of The Year

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association has awarded its Police Officer of the Year, and he's a 22-year veteran who has served in St. Paul and now Hutchinson.

Sergeant Eric Kilian with the Hutchinson Police Department was given the distinction for his bravery and courage during an incident at a Hutchinson apartment complex last October. He was called on Oct. 25, 2013 on a report of a suspicious person in the building and when he arrived, a man was lying on a bag on the floor and possibly in possession of a pipe.

As Kilian approached, the man reached for his bag and became aggressive. Kilian said he believed the man was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time. Kilian put the man in handcuffs, he immediately fought back and an altercation followed. The man tried to disarm Kilian, who shot the man in the chest.

The suspect was not seriously hurt in the incident and after being treated was charged with attempting to disarm a peace officer. Authorities found methamphetamine at the scene where the suspect collapsed from his gunshot wound.

Kilian is currently a shift supervisor and team leader for the Special Response Team.

Two other awards for Honorable Mention were handed out at the event. St. Paul Police Officer Mark Blumberg, a 21-year veteran, was honored for his work with the mentally ill and homeless population.

Burnsville Police Officer Brian Hasselman, an eight-year veteran, was also honored.