Seppo Minkkinen

Seppo Minkkinen

Date of birth: 2.7.1952

Date of death: 7.2.1991

Location / Place: Vaajakoski

Rank: Senior Constable

Police unit: Laukaa Sheriff's District

Sources: Poliisimies 6/1991; Helsingin Sanomat 9.2.1991: Humalassa riehunut ampui poliisin Vaajakoskella. Suojaliivi olisi todennäköisesti pelastanut poliisin.

Description of events: On 7.2.1991 at 8:28 pm, patrol officers Minkkinen and Huttunen were sent to a home to calm down a man. The address was well-known to the police since this was not the first time the man was acting aggressively. They knocked on the door, but nobody answered. When they opened the door and entered, Minkkinen, who walked in front, saw that the man had been waiting for them with a shotgun. The man immediately took aim, and the policemen turned around and rushed back out. The man fired two shots, and one of them hit Minkkinen. Huttunen dragged the wounded Minkkinen to the police car and called for backup. Minkkinen was taken to the Central Hospital of Inner Finland, but despite efforts to save his life, he was pronounced dead at 9:15 pm. The police surrounded the house where the shooting had taken place. They managed to reach the shooter by telephone. He said that he would come out but did not. After a second phone call he finally walked out peacefully at 10 pm.

Offender 1: Karhunen, Oiva Tapio

Judgment 1: Prison sentence of 9 years

Memorial plaque: Police University College