Metropolitan Council acknowledges the death of Metro Transit Police Sergeant Beverly Rodriguez; visitation and memorial information shared

The Metropolitan Council opened its June 25 meeting with an acknowledgment of the death of Metro Transit Police Sergeant Beverly Rodriguez and shared information about services and departmental tributes.

Chair Zelle (addressing the council) said Council members had “been talking” and grieving the loss of Rodriguez, described as a leader who raised the spirits of Metro Transit Police and council members. The chair read service information into the record: a visitation was scheduled for the following day from 4 to 6 p.m. in Stillwater and a celebration of life at 10 a.m. at Stillwater High School. The chair said information on ways to send notes or contributions would be circulated to council members.

An unnamed staff member noted that Metro Transit Police Chief Dotseth had sent a department memo and “posthumously promoted her to the rank of lieutenant,” which the staff member said recognized her qualifications and that she was “on that cusp” of promotion. Council members offered condolences and described the impact of Rodriguez’s leadership across departments.

Council members linked Rodriguez’s loss to the difficult weeks the council’s transit and public safety teams had endured and expressed appreciation for the department’s work and community support. No formal council action was taken; the remarks were made as an opening acknowledgment to the full council meeting.