by Forrest Adams, Fergus Falls Daily Journal
Two policemen from Pelican Rapids, officers Scott Sachs and Curt Markgraf, received "Meritorious Service" certificates from the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association last Monday, May 9, for their role in the Oct. 30, 2004, apprehension of a chainsaw-wielding suspect.
"I am really proud of them," said Pelican Rapids Police Chief Scott Fox. "It is a situation that could have ended up a lot worse than it did."
The suspect was a 44-year-old Pelican Rapids man who was homeless and living in a tent at the time. Leading up to the chainsaw incident, the man's tent had been "vandalized to the point where he couldn't live in it anymore," said Fox.
Markgraf took the phone call from a concerned citizen alerting him of the irate homeless man, and he called for reinforcements from Sachs and a sheriff's deputy. This was a man who had previous run-ins with the law, though never to this extent, said Fox.
Markgraf made the first oral contact with the 250-pound man who was carrying a running chainsaw, and raised it over his head for effect.
"There were a lot of four-letter words," remembered Markgraf. "This guy was really [upset] and was not in the frame of mind where you could reason with him."
Though neither Pelican officer involved in the incident felt the would-be attacker was motivated by racism, Markgraf said the man was directing his rage at Bosnians in the nearby trailer park.
"He was one foot away from being shot," said Markgraf. "It's a good thing his chainsaw flooded when he lifted it above his head. If he would have moved toward us, that would have required me to use deadly force."
With chainsaw raised, the man was open to Sach's taser. However, when only one of the taser's two probes made contact with the man's flesh, the man was only stunned to the extent where he dropped his chainsaw and immediately began running.
From there the altercation turned into a street fight, said the officers. Five minutes, two pepper sprays, and several more taser shots later, they had the man in custody.
"I'm glad all three of us were there," said Markgraf.
"We're in a career where it's nice to have backups," added Sachs. "If that chainsaw hadn't flooded, or if all three of us hadn't been there, this would have probably ended a lot differently than it did."
Avoiding the use of "deadly force" is what impressed Fox the most, he said, because it saved the community, the victim's family and everyone involved "a lot of heartache."
A member of MCPA, Fox said this is the first time in his 27 years with the department that he remembers anyone from the department winning this award. In his 3 1/2 years as chief, it is the first time he has applied for it.
Darren Kunz, Otter Tail County Sheriff's Deputy, was also involved in the incident and received his MCPA award last April, presented by Sheriff Brian Schlueter.
Fergus Falls Journal - Record - May 3rd, 2005
Fargo man gets jail for chainsaw attack. A Fargo man who pleaded guilty to obstructing the legal process after he threatened officers with a chainsaw was sentenced last week to a year in jail. Danny Lee Hagen, 44, was stopped by officers on Oct. 30 last year after he allegedly told a person that he was going to "go after certain Bosnian members" in the Pelican Rapids community. When officers approached Hagen, he was told repeatedly to put down a chainsaw; however, Hagen started the chainsaw and faced the direction of the officers, according to court records. Hagen was tased and fled. He struggled with an officer after he was caught, was tased again and pepper sprayed. Hagen was originally charged with three counts of assault in the second degree, but those were amended as part of the plea deal. He was given 177 days credit for time already served.
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