Minnesota reserve officer & security guard Andrea Merrell dies after Christmas Day attack

#VLEOA #VolunteerLawEnforcementOfficerAlliance #PoliceReserve #ReserveOfficer #WhiteBearLake #WhiteBearLakePolice #Minnesota #SecurityGuard #ServeAndProtect #AndreaMerrell #PublicSafety #WyomingMN #HospitalSafety #LawEnforcement #PoliceVolunteers #CommunityHeroes #RememberingMerrell

White Bear Lake Reserve Police Officer, Andrea Merrell, has died from injuries sustained during a violent Christmas Day attack while working as a security guard at M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming, Minnesota. The 43-year-old former firefighter and longtime security team member confronted a patient attempting to flee the emergency department despite being placed on a medical hold, and was fatally assaulted outside the facility — suffering severe head trauma that led to her death two days later. The suspect, 35-year-old Jonathan Chet Winch, has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held on $2 million bail as authorities investigate the attack. Merrell’s passing has shocked local officials and residents, shining a spotlight on the risks faced by healthcare security personnel and volunteer officers who step forward to protect others even during the holidays.

https://www.police1.com/minn-hospital-security-officer-killed-in-attack-by-patient-escaping-medical-hold

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/wyoming-minnesota-m-health-fairview-lakes-hospital-security-guard-attack/