A ceremony Thursday morning at the start of Dakota County Road 68 south of Hastings was a tribute to a fallen Dakota County Sheriff’s Deputy, who lost his life in service 28 years ago.
County, state and federal officials, family and a large contingent of local and state law enforcement officers were on hand to dedicate Dakota County Road 69 at Deputy Luther Klug Memorial Highway. The nearly two-mile stretch of County Road 68 connects Highway 316 and County Road 54 in Ravenna Township.
“The dedication of the roadway in Deputy Luther Klug’s name has as much if not more meaning than 28 years ago when he tragically lost his life,” Dakota County Sheriff Joe Leko said. “This shows that we truly do not forget, no matter how much time has passed.”
On July 15, 1996, Klug had finished working the afternoon shift and was driving home. He stopped to assist Hastings police on a call he thought might need backup. As he drove home afterward, his squad car was broadsided by a drunken driver. Klug died early the next morning at a St. Paul hospital.
Klug’s family attended the dedication ceremony, including his wife, Geri, son Jordan, siblings and cousins. Jordan Klug, who was 4 when his father died, is now a Dakota County sheriff’s sergeant. Many current and former sheriff’s deputies and staff also were present for the dedication.
The Dakota County Board of Commissioners approved the highway dedication last year, and board members attended the event. The memorial is recognized on signs at each end of the county road.
“This roadway, now named Deputy Luther Klug Memorial Highway, will forever honor and remember Luther’s sacrifice,” Leko said. “For those who pass the sign on this road, this is not just another sign. The sign is not just a reminder of the life lost, but to honor and remember how Luther lived, who he was as a person, and the profession he represents.”
The highway was blocked for the event with vehicles from attendees stretching for quite a distance. Dakota County Board Chair Joe Atkins joked that the mid-morning ceremony may need to be delayed because attendees had to park in Wisconsin. Atkins introduced Dakota County Commissioner Mike Slavik of Hastings, who also represents Ravenna Township.
Slavik welcomed officials on hand and Klug’s family members seated in reserved front rows near the stage.
“Back in 1996, Deputy Klug made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the people of Dakota County. His loss has not been forgotten, and it’s an honor to be able to unveil this tribute to his memory today. To Luther’s family: Thank you for your patience. This has been a long time in the making,” said Slavik. “The county board approved last year the dedication of this road, an effort that was over two years in the process to be able to get where we are today.
“To everyone who helped make this possible, thank you. That includes former Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie. He had no hesitation in supporting the idea of a memorial dedication and helping secure the Klug family’s blessing. Sheriff Leslie’s successor, Sheriff Joe Leko has been equally supportive.”
Leko recalled Klug as “liking to tell stories, so he told the deputy’s life history from when he was raised in Black Duck, MN and attended Alexandria Technical College, where he got his law enforcement degree. He was then hired in Hawley, MN. He then was hired by the Cannon Falls Police Department, rising quickly to the rank of sergeant in 1990, prior to being hired by Dakota County.
“We were blessed to have him as a member of the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, where he served many roles,” Leko recalled, as Klug served in courts, patrol, as a SWAT team leader, a firearms instructor a defensive tactics instructor and as a field training officer.
“He led the office in traffic citations and DWIs and in 1995 he was recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his DWI arrests,” said Leko. “On July 15, 1996, Luther just finished working his shift. He was on his way home. He heard the Hasting Police Department on a call, and he thought they may need backup, so he offered assistance. When he cleared the call, Luther resumed his drive home on Hwy. 316. At approximately 10:45 p.m., as he crossed the intersection of 200th Street, less than a mile from his home, a drunk driver barreled through the stop sign, striking Luther’s squad. Fellow deputies surrounded and prayed over him as he was airlifted to St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center. At 1:04 a.m. on July 16, Luther succumbed to his injuries and died on the operating table.”
The tragedy left a void in the department and his service made a mark on his peers.
“Not a day goes by that Luther is not remembered. His loss left a hole in the lives of all left behind. We at the sheriff’s office continue to honor and carry Luther’s memory on our walls, in our stories,” said Leko. “Luther and I never crossed paths. I started a year after Luther’s tragic death. I got to know him through the stories of his partners throughout the years, mostly humorous…He never hesitated to put himself between danger and his partners or the public. This roadway that we’re standing on, now named the Luther Klug Memorial Highway, will forever honor and remember Luther’s sacrifice. For those who pass the sign on this road, this is not just another sign. It’s not here to just remind us of the life lost, but to honor and remember how Luther lived.”
-The Dakota County Communications Office contributed to this report
