Parent of Man Killed by Eagan Police Speaks Out

The parents of an Eagan man who was killed in an Aug. 28 shootout with Eagan police say they are grieving, but don't blame police.

Two Eagan police officers fatally shot Justin Lee Kulhanek-Derks, who was reportedly shooting off a gun in the driveway of an apartment building.

The Eagan police officers were responding to several 911 calls that came in just before noon about an individual who was shooting a handgun outside a building on the 1200 block of Ironwood Lane, where Kulhanek-Derks lived.

According to the preliminary investigation, when officers arrived they approached Kulhanek-Derks on foot and were immediately fired upon. Two officers returned fire, striking Kulhanek-Derks. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

In an interview with Minnesota Public Radio, Michael Derks said his son, Kulhanek-Derks, suffered from depression and was seeking help before he was killed.

Derks said he and his wife have cooperated with authorities following the fatal shooting, and don't blame police for their actions.

"We've never once accused them of doing anything wrong, or saying that our son was mistreated," said Derks.

"We honestly believe he had a psychotic break. I'm not a psychiatrist, but I honestly believe he just went over the edge for whatever reason and it was just too much for him."

Kulhanek-Derks a graduate of Dakota County Technical College, worked full time as a machinist and took took care of his teenage daughter Melissa. He divorced his wife in 2007.

"The two were inseparable," his father said. Kulhanek-Derks divorced his wife in 2007.

Kulhanek-Derks wanted to get out of debt so he would be able to buy a home with a garage where he could work on cars.

"He loved having a family. He wanted to have more children, another wife if possible," said Derks.

"Those were the goals that he really wanted."

Following the death of his son, Derks wrote an open letter "from a father to his son," saying "In my grief, I have found the need to express a true picture of my son."

Read the full letter below:

An Open Letter From A Father To His Son

My name is Michael Derks. I am the father of Justin Kulhanek-Derks who was recently shot and killed by Eagan Police Department. In my grief, I have found the need to express a true picture of my son.

Justin was a generous soul with a golden heart. He gave of himself even at his own expense. Many is the time he would stop mid stride to talk to a small child and bring a smile to a face. His kindness knew no boundaries. He made me laugh.

He was a loving father to his daughter whom he adored, and she in turn loved him. They were inseparable and bonded at all levels. Justin was a single parent with all the responsibilities that entails. After graduating from Dakota County Technical College his career path was that of a machinist, at which he worked full time while maintaining a household for he and his daughter. He loved plants, and had a very green thumb. Being mechanically inclined, Justin enjoyed being up to his elbows in dirt and grease while working on an engine. To see the inner beauty of Justin exposed you just needed to watch him four-wheeling in the woods. This was the one activity he felt free to be himself. I am blessed to have spent those times with him and will cherish the warmth and the smile he brought to me.

Justin had a strong sense of fairness and believed in honesty. His loyalty to those of us close to him knew no boundaries. Even in death he was an organ donor so that others may have a better life. My son loved me, and I him. My life will never be the same again but I will hold his memories tightly and never let go. He had his demons, as do we all, but he fought them all his life and I choose to acknowledge them only for what they were and not allow them to define who he was. I will miss him dearly and always will.

I can offer these words from this devastating event:

Gather your loved ones close to you

Hold them tightly

Tell them you love them often

Learn together

Grow together

Reprioritize your life

Listen to the wisdom in your children

Remember it will be all gone in an instant

Justin was a son, brother, father and a friend to many people. He touched many souls and will be remembered by the goodness he brought to our lives.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating the shooting.

The two Eagan police officers involved in the shooting have since been placed on standard administrative leave.

The two officers who fired their weapons are:

• Sgt. Nathan Tennessen, an 18-year veteran of the Eagan Police Department
• Officer Alison Burstein, has been with Eagan Police Department for four years

The Star Tribune reported that this is the first officer-involved shooting in Eagan that resulted in a death since 1992.

Image: Quazie via Flickr /Creative Commons