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If you are driving between Forest Lake and Wyoming you’ll notice signs denoting  this section of old highway 61 has been designated a Memorial Highway in Honor of State Patrol Trooper Glen Skalman.   The recent dedication event was attended by 143 people and 46 were uniformed officers.  Signs memorialize the ultimate sacrifice 50 years ago-- by State Patrol Trooper Skalman who was shot while on duty on the highway in 1964.   Skalman had been on the patrol for three years.  He pulled over 28-year-old Charles Brown on a routine traffic stop and was struck as Brown fired off five shots from a .22 handgun at close range.

A 1964 Chisago County Press article reported Skalman, age 29,  died 10 days later,  and published details of a fund being collected to help Skalman’s family which included three children, 3, 5 and 8 years old.   Two of these children attended the highway dedication last week. A third sibling has died.  

Brown fled and was apprehended in Minneapolis.  He signed a confession to second degree murder and was sentenced to 40 years.  He has died.

The Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association,  founded by Jim Crawford, worked with the state legislature to allow the highway designation.  

Wyoming Sgt. Lance Beardsley, is pictured above with city reserve officer Josh Brown. Beardsley has served on the Law Enforcement Memorial Assoc. Board and said it’s a fantastic organization that provides aid to law enforcement and their families andcoordinates color guard  officers for funerals and a host of other outreach efforts.  The association web address is at mnlema.org for details about how to donate and upcoming events.

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