Flags in Minnesota will fly at half staff Friday in honor and remembrance of Farmington police officer Pete Zajac.

Zajac, who spent the past two years as a school resource officer, was a Farmington officer for 15 years and a Faribault officer from 2006 to 2010. The 41-year-old was married and had three children.

He died by suicide on Oct. 28, according to a social media post from the Farmington Police Department.

“Officer Zajac was known for his integrity, generosity, and ability to connect with people of all ages, earning the admiration and respect of his colleagues and community,” Gov. Tim Walz said in a Thursday proclamation ordering Minnesota and U.S. flags to fly at half-staff at state buildings on the day of Zajac’s funeral.

Zajac was born in Hastings and grew up in Wyoming, Minn. He and his family lived in Hastings for the past 11 years.

“Outside of work, Pete found joy in the outdoors — whether hunting, fishing, or spending time on the lake,” his obituary said. “He loved cheering on his children at their sporting events,” coaching football, grilling in his backyard, maintaining his lawn “and keeping his garage perfectly organized. Pete’s easygoing nature, generosity, and sense of humor made him someone everyone loved to be around.”

A GoFundMe (gofund.me/f510be74d) has been established for Zajac’s family.

The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988. For current and former law enforcement and their families, CopLine is at 800-COPLINE.

Flags in Minnesota are also currently lowered in honor of former Vice President Dick Cheney and will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of his interment.

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Thirty-five years after a law school graduate was found killed in his St. Paul home, his homicide remains unsolved.

Robert Spann (Photo from Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension cold case playing card)

Robert Spann, 27, graduated from William Mitchell College of Law (now Mitchell Hamline) and was president of the Black Law Students Association.

“Today we remember Robert Spann and his loved ones,” said Alyssa Arcand, a St. Paul police spokeswoman, on Thursday. “Thirty-five years without closure for this case is 35 years too long. … Even the smallest piece of information could lead to justice for Robert.”

Spann lived with his girlfriend, who was a Minneapolis city attorney, on Marshall Avenue between Milton and Victoria streets, according to a Pioneer Press article from the week of his homicide.

Spann’s girlfriend’s teenage son found his body in the basement when he returned from school about 4 p.m. on Nov. 6, 1990.

Spann was shot and stabbed, and robbery was a possible motive as monetary items were taken from the residence, according to a cold case playing card highlighting Spann’s case that was distributed by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

St. Paul police are asking anyone with information to call them at 651-266-5650.

Spann, originally from Elgin, Ill., dreamed of being a lawyer since his youth. Bagging groceries helped pay his way,

He graduated from law school in 1989 and was planning to take the bar exam again.

“He always wanted to be a lawyer, to help other people,” his brother said at the time. “I hope they find who did this and bring them to justice.”

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Hamline University formally placed Mayme Hostetter, who attended schools in the Twin Cities in her youth, as its 22nd president on Thursday.

Hostetter most recently served as president of Relay Graduate School of Education, a private Manhattan graduate school for teachers that has a dozen locations around the U.S.

Growing up, Hostetter attended Kenwood School in Minneapolis and St. Paul Academy. She then attended Harvard University where she eventually received a master of education after working as an English teacher. She later earned a doctor of education from Columbia University.

In New York, Hostetter helped found Hunter College’s “Teacher U” and the Relay Graduate School of Education, which has roots in the charter school movement. Hostetter was named Relay’s president in 2018, the role she held when she was named Hamline’s next president earlier this year.

“I know both the governor and my office, (Office of Higher Education,) are excited to work with you in this new role,” said Winnie Sullivan, deputy commissioner for the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, at the investiture ceremony. “Together, we can make Minnesota a national leader for higher education. “

Held at the university’s Hutton Arena in St. Paul, the ceremony included a formal academic procession and the presentation of the symbols of office, as well as three former Hamline University presidents in attendance. Among those commemorating Hostetter’s new role was her friend Laela Sturdy, who attended Harvard University with her approximately 28 years ago.

“As Hamline’s 22nd president, Mayme brings the wisdom gained from teaching in the Bronx, conducting research on literacy, and leading a graduate school of education,” Sturdy said. “She brings character, vision, and an unwavering commitment to every student’s success.”

In addition to her time at Harvard and Columbia, Hostetter also worked in MIT’s Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences studying reading development. She was named a 2024 Presidential Leadership Scholar by the Bush, Clinton, and LBJ Foundations.

“It has been remarkable to witness her grow as a leader and through it all, to see the constancy of her character. She is unflinching in her commitment to equity and excellence,” Sturdy said. “She is a kind and thoughtful leader, with high standards and a big heart, and she is devoted to things larger than herself. Now, Mayme brings this wealth of experience, this depth of commitment, this vision for educational excellence to Hamline University.”

Hostetter said the university has accomplished many “firsts” in its more than 170 years as an institution and could be the university where students graduate on time and feel high levels of belonging and engagement with each other.

“Hamline has been the site, the source, the inspiration of so many firsts,” Hostetter said. “And they all represent an important type of ‘first.’ They are all team wins that represent not only institutional excellence but also changing the game for the better for those who come next.”

Hostetter assumed her duties as president on July 1.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — In retrospect, Minnesota Wild defenseman Daemon Hunt doesn’t necessarily think the last 12 months have been all that strange. But a closer look at his career path shows the arc of a boomerang, sent away but finding its way back to where it started.

On Thursday night at Carolina, Hunt was back in the Wild lineup for his 14th career game in the organization, but not before spending roughly 10 months in Cleveland as property of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Around this time last season, Hunt, 23, was part of the package of picks and players sent to Columbus by Wild general manager Bill Guerin to get defenseman David Jiricek. Then, in September, when the Blue Jackets placed Hunt on waivers with the intention of sending him back to their Cleveland AHL team — where Hunt played 48 games last season — the Wild grabbed him.

“It was easy coming back, knowing everybody and the organization. It’s already like a family here,” Hunt said on Thursday afternoon after the morning skate at the Lenovo Center. “It’s really good to be back, and I haven’t played in a while, so it’s exciting. I never take it for granted, to be in the NHL.”

In 10 games this season, Jiricek has shown off his physical skills but has been mistake-prone and displayed some of the inconsistency that has been an overall weak spot in the Wild’s disappointing start to the season. So, on Thursday, coach John Hynes gave Jiricek a night off and replaced him with one of those traded away to get Jiricek a year ago.

“I think Daemon’s a good skating defenseman,” Hynes said. “I think he has some physical elements to his game. He can move the puck. I’m excited for him to be able to get an opportunity. I think it’s well-deserved.”

For Hunt, the past month has represented a kind of career limbo. The Wild haven’t played him, but also can’t send him down to Iowa because if they place him on waivers, Columbus or another team could claim Hunt. So, the chance to put on a jersey and play, paired with Zeev Buium, was exciting for the young defenseman.

“It’s been a little bit tough, for sure,” Hunt admitted. “I’m in kind of a weird spot in my career, where it’s like I feel I’m good enough to be in the NHL, and then I got picked up on waivers and I’m not playing. So, mentally it’s been a little bit challenging trying to stick with it and look for the positives and have ‘glass half full’ type of vibes. I’m happy to be here.”

Milestone game for Boldy

If you needed further proof of Wild forward Matt Boldy’s transition from young star to veteran cornerstone of the Minnesota offense, look no further than his career games played number, which read 300 following his opening shift on Thursday.

“His game continues to grow. I think he really understands how good a player he can be when he plays a certain way, with a certain mindset,” Hynes said. “I think he’s been consistent with that off the ice. He’s gained confidence through his play, through different experiences — 4 Nations, World Championships — more time in the league, more time in here. He’s more vocal and he brings a lot of energy.”

For Boldy’s part, he’s still just 24 and seemed a little amazed to be passing the 300 games milestone already.

“It’s crazy. It’s pretty cool. It seems quick, for sure,” he said. “I guess that’s a good thing.”

Boldly was also hoping games 300 would be a kind of slump-buster. He scored a goal in each of the Wild’s first four games this season but came to Carolina with just one in his previous 10 outings.

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