Minnesota House Honors Hortmans, Votes To Increase Penalties for Cop Impersonators

At a time when partisan rancor and discord often preside over political discourse, the Minnesota House was unanimously unified in approving legislation that increases penalties for those who impersonate law enforcement.

The vote was 134-0.

Before the vote, House members rose for a moment of silence to honor the late Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Both were killed in their Brooklyn Park home on June 14, 2025 by an assassin who dressed like a police officer in a plot that prosecutors say was meant to carry out violence against lawmakers.

“This bill won’t bring Mark and Melissa back. It won’t undue the damage that is forever in our hearts,” said Rep. Kristin Bahner on the House floor before the April 23 vote. “But what it will do is make it very crystal clear that the men and women who proudly serves us in blue should never ever be taken advantage of in this way.”

The suspect, Vance Boelter, 58, is accused of carrying out the Hortman killings as well as the attempted murders of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. The Hoffmans survived despite each being shot multiple times in their Champlin home.

Boelter is also accused of stopping by the homes of Sen. Ann Rest and Bahner that same night. Investigators said Boelter was parked near Rest’s home in New Hope, but drove off after an encounter with an officer conducting a welfare check on the senator’s home. Bahner was not at her Maple Grove home.

Rep. Kristin Bahner speaks on House floor before vote to increase penalties for cop impersonators.

‘Literal Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing’

Rep. Bahner said she attended the April 17 federal court appearance by Boelter.

Calling him a “literal wolf in sheep’s clothing,” Bahner said she wanted to show her face to the person accused of showing up at her door with the intent to kill her.

“He didn’t see me or my family as human. And he certainly didn’t give that honor to the Hoffmans, to Ann Rest, to the Hortmans, not even to the family dog. He didn’t care,” said Bahner.

“Most importantly, if he thinks that he won, because he killed Mark and Melissa, for even one fraction of a second, he is sadly mistaken. Because each one of us in this room embodies the best of Melissa,” Bahner continued.

Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen recently submitted his recommendation on whether to pursue the death penalty in Boelter’s trial. The recommendation was not made public. The final decision rests with the U.S. Department of Justice.

Details of House Bill

The bill, co-authored by Bahner and Rep. Ginny Klevorn, DFL-Maple Grove, would increase penalties and fines for someone impersonating a police officer.

Under HF3404, impersonating a police officer would become a felony crime. Offenses considered a misdemeanor would become a gross misdemeanor if committed by someone posing as law enforcement. Likewise, a gross misdemeanor offense would become a felony with a maximum prison sentence of three years, and the maximum prison sentence for a felony offense would increase by five years.

The legislation is supported by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association and the Minnesota Sheriffs Association.

Companion legislation in the Minnesota Senate is currently making its way through committee.

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