Community Gathers to Mourn Loss of Officer Bradley Schenck

His funeral, held at Hope Lutheran's South Campus in Fargo, attracted hundreds who will miss his contributions to the community.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – There was hardly a dry eye inside Hope Lutheran on November 23, as hundreds gathered to say goodbye to a brave man.

“He carried himself with courage and grace,” said Bradly Schenck’s eldest son, Colby, in his eulogy.

Officer Schenck – who spent 16 years with the Moorhead Police Department – was diagnosed with brain cancer nine years ago.

But he refused to let that stop him from living life on his terms – writing a memoir titled “No Easy Way Out” and recovering enough from his treatment to rejoin the Red River Valley SWAT team as a sniper.

“He could have said, I passed the basic SWAT PT, but can’t do the sniper stress shoot. But that wasn’t good enough. And he fully came back and did it, and did it well,” said Moorhead Assistant Police Chief Bill Ahfeldt, who spent a decade with Schenck on the Red River SWAT Team.

Ultimately, though, the disease claimed his life on November 8.

Many are still reeling, including his former MPD colleagues.

Having served in the Marine Corps, Schenck was sent off with full military honors.

He leaves behind a massive void – and a desire from those who knew and loved him to remember the good times and carry on his legacy.

“I think we’re all taking away the example Brad set for us,” said Moorhead Chief of Police Chris Helmick. “How to live life. Not just a life of service, but a life with family, a life with friends.”

Brad is survived by many, including his wife, Sara, and their three children.

He was 44 years old.