Lieutenant John Edward Hatfull

Hello to John’s Family. I graduated with John January 28, 1973 from the ISP academy. I am now 74 years old. I was only 22 when I met John. I remember him and have thought of him so many times over the years. I left ISP after 5 years plus and retired from my home State of Minnesota after 25 more years with Hennepin Co Sheriffs Office. John was a quiet and seasoned vet I admired. I was so young but easily saw his can and will do attitude. I can’t tell you how many times I have thought of him over my career in law enforcement. I am probably alive today because of hearing about his murder so many years ago that has caused me to be more cautious in all things. John would recognize my name but I was never in his league. Even today. He was head and shoulders above me in talent, confidence, and insight. I miss him even though I only knew him for 16 weeks. I was assigned out of the Seymour Dist 43 post. That Post is gone now, just like John. How lucky I was to know him. One last take away for all officers. One day while John and I were in the academy class room, Lieutenant Flynn came in and addressed the class. I remember nothing of what he said at the beginning of his lecture. But I do remember the last thing he told me and the rest of the class. He said “you can forget everything I’ve mentioned to you today, except this one piece of advice, when in doubt…DON’T! I always thought that was really good advice so one day I told my brother about the value of that very sage advice. My brother said that’s good but he said he learned as a fireman that “if you’re going ….GO! It was then I realized that was John. For me that is the paradox all officers have to answer a thousand times per shift. Stay or go…..Thankyou, John for being part of my life. William A Leadens.

ISP Trooper / Retired HCSO (Mn)
Hennepin Co Sheriff office

October 13, 2024