Onni Saastamoinen

Onni Saastamoinen

Syntymäaika: 3.9.1931

Kuolinaika: 7.3.1969

Location / Place: Pihtipudas

Rank: Junior Constable

Police unit: Pihtipudas Sheriff's District

Lähteitä: Poliisimies 3/1969; Suomen poliisilehti 3/1969; Helsingin Sanomat 8.3.1969; Keskisuomalainen 8.3.1969

Tapahtumien kuvaus: On the morning of 7.3.1969, a labourer named Tauno Pasanen was threatening his family at their home in Pihtipudas. His wife and son escaped to the neighbour’s house, and while they were running, Pasanen started firing at them. When they had reached the neighbour’s house, they called the Sheriff at 11:30 am. The police knew Pasanen well since he had previously acted violently while intoxicated. Constables Veikko Riihimäki, Onni Saastamoinen, Pentti Turpeinen and Mauno Poikkimäki were sent to the scene. They approached Pasanen’s house, walking in a line along the path leading from the threshing barn to the stable. Constable Turpeinen walked in front, carrying a submachine gun. When they were about 50 metres from the house, Pasanen, who was standing at the window near the front door, began shooting at them. The first bullet hit Turpeinen, who fell to the left, landing in a pile of snow by the path. Constable Saastamoinen, who had been walking behind Turpeinen, fell to the right, as did Constable Riihimäki two metres behind. Turpeinen and Riihimäki died instantly. Poikkimäki threw himself to the ground and tried to reach a fir to take cover. Pasanen moved to another window, that of the bedroom, and shot at Poikkimäki. Pasanen reloaded and walked out, where he first shot Saastamoinen at close range and then moved on to Poikkimäki, shooting him as well. After having killed all four police officers, Pasanen left his rifle standing in the snow beside the dead Turpeinen and placed the magazine on Turpeinen’s shoulders. Pasanen then walked to the next house and asked the neighbours to inform the Sheriff.

Tekijä 1: Pasanen, Tauno

Judgment 1: Life imprisonment

Memorial plaque: Police University College