Patrolman Jerome Victor Haaf

End of Watch : September 25, 1992

OFFICER JEROME HAAF
Minneapolis PD
Died September 25, 1992

Officer Jerome Haaf was shot and killed as he was sitting in the Pizza Shack on Lake Street at 17th Avenue eating lunch around 1:45 a.m. Two investigators had just left, and some uniformed officers were on their way to have lunch there, when two men walked in and shot Officer Haaf from behind several times. The suspects, Anwati McKenzie and Shannon Bowles, then fled. Haaf was able to radio for help as he lay on the restaurant floor. Gerald Lubarski, who was sitting with Haaf, was also wounded. Officer Haaf, who was not wearing a vest, died at 3:40 a.m. His shift was to have ended at 3:00 a.m.

It was later revealed that Officer Haaf was killed solely because he was a police officer. The suspects knew police frequented the Pizza Shack and went there with the intention to kill an officer – any officer. The shooting was a result of growing tension between police and the street gang, the Vice Lords.

Both suspects were convicted and sentenced to life for Haaf's murder. McKenzie is currently surviving his sentence at Oak Park Heights Correctional Facility and is eligible for parole in 2093. A.C. Ford and Monterey Willis were also sentenced to life for their part in planning the murder, driving the getaway cars and supplying the guns.

Officer Haaf was 53 years old. He had been an officer since April 23, 1962. He was the sixth officer to die in 20 years. The last Minneapolis officer was killed eleven years earlier. He was survived by his wife, Marilyn, and three children. His funeral was held on Tuesday, September 29th, at St. Helena's Catholic Church. Over 1,200 officers from around the state attended the funeral. Burial was in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Sourced from: The book "We Will Remember"
With permission from Lisa Lovering, Author and Board of Director
MN Law Enforcement Memorial Association
L.E.M.A. 2009

Michael William Morrow

Lester Kohler