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The original item was published from 5/20/2021 2:53:00 PM to 10/2/2021 12:00:01 AM.

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West Fargo News

Posted on: May 19, 2021

[ARCHIVED] West Fargo Police Department Update on Death of Officer

Adam Gustafson

2:30 p.m. May, 20, 2021 Update: 

Lieutenant Adam Gustafson’s Funeral Arrangements Finalized:

West Fargo Police Lieutenant Adam Gustafson’s funeral will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, May, 26, 2021 at Northview Church at 3401 25th St. S., Fargo, ND 58104.


Family, friends, law enforcement agencies, and the public are invited to the funeral service with limited seating available to the public. It will also be livestreamed and shared online. 


Any additional details regarding the service will be shared on social media.


3:00 p.m. May, 19, 2021 Update:

40-year-old West Fargo Police Lieutenant Adam Gustafson died Tuesday, May 18, 2021, within the police station while he was on-duty. 

The Cass County Coroner’s Office has relayed that Lieutenant Gustafson suffered from severe coronary artery disease and major arterial blockage, causing a sudden fatal heart attack. 

Funeral arrangements are still being discussed and will be released at a later time. A memorial honoring Lieutenant Gustafson is set up in the Grand Foyer of West Fargo City Hall (800 Fourth Ave. E., Suite # 1). The lobby is open to the public M-F from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

We want to say thank you to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, West Fargo Fire Department, Fargo Police Department, North Dakota Highway Patrol, North Dakota Highway Patrol, F-M Ambulance Service, Moorhead Police Department, Clay County Sheriff's Department the Emergency Room staff at Sanford Health and the community who has reached out sending their condolences. 

Lieutenant Adam Gustafson will be missed, but never forgotten. 


9:00 a.m. May 19, 2021 Update:

West Fargo Police Lieutenant Adam Gustafson died on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 18, 2021, from complications from a medical emergency while at the police station. Fellow officers and West Fargo Firefighters rendered initial care until F-M Ambulance Service arrived and began advanced life support, including transporting him to Sanford Emergency Department. Lieutenant Gustafson later died in the hospital.

Lieutenant Gustafson has been a crucial part of the department for over 10 years. He worked his way up the ranks within the West Fargo Police Department and was most recently promoted to Lieutenant, serving in the Patrol Division, since 2018.

“Lieutenant Gustafson will be remembered for his contagious smile and laughter, along with his dedication, teamwork and service to the City of West Fargo,” said Chief of Police Denis Otterness. “Lieutenant Gustafson has made a lasting impact within our department and he will never be forgotten.” 

The department’s thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Lieutenant Gustafson. A memorial honoring Lieutenant Gustafson has been set up in the public lobby of the West Fargo City Hall’s Grand Foyer (800 Fourth Ave. E., Suite #1).

The West Fargo Police Department is currently being assisted with calls for service by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Fargo Police Department and the North Dakota Highway Patrol while members of our department process this tragic loss. Updates on Lieutenant Adam Gustafson’s memorial service will be announced at a later date.

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