Jeff Grates at the bridge

As we all know on 8/1/07 the 35W bridge collapsed into the Mississippi river. We've heard many tales of rescue workers and people helping out. I asked detention deputy Jeff Grates to write down his story so I could publish it as a testimony of his contribution. Jeff is a detention deputy, a union member of Teamsters Local 320 and also in the Air Force Reserves. This is his story:


On August 1, 2007 at 1800 hours, I finished up my shift at the jail and was on my way home for the evening. As I approached the Stone Arch Bridge, I overheard an excited voice on the overhead speakers at the Lower St. Anthony Falls Damn Lock Master area. I could not make out exactly what the individual was saying and continued on my way. As I reached my vehicle at the north end, I began to see emergency vehicles arriving to the area. I called back to the jail and spoke with Deputy Murto, who informed me that the Interstate 35W Bridge had just collapsed.

Sensing that help may be needed, I went to the area and met up with Minneapolis Police Sergeant, Bill Chaplin, who works out of the 3rd Precinct. I explained to Sgt. Chaplin that I was a member of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and offered my assistance. I will note that from this point forward, I left my work Identification exposed in order to identify myself and proceed to assist where I was needed. Sgt. Chaplin had to leave the area to attend to another detail and left a police reserve officer in his place. Approximately 15 minutes went by and the scene remained chaotic. Vehicles, pedestrian traffic and individuals on bikes were blocking the path of emergency vehicles and personnel from getting to the area. My years of experience and training in the United States Air Force directed me to ask the Minneapolis Police Reserve Officer to find an individual in charge to ensure that the perimeter was secure. Not finding anyone, I took it upon myself to locate Sgt. Chaplin, who was at the rivers edge assisting in the disaster. I explained to Sgt. Chaplin that the integrity of the perimeter was in jeopardy. He took my information and called for additional assistance to the area.

As this was being done, I went to MPD Officer Robert Greer of the 2nd Precinct and requested medical exam gloves so I could prepare to offer my assistance with wounded individuals. Officer Greer was standing off to the side securing the first body recovered from the collapse site. Officer Greer was concerned about his partner and also their police cruiser, as the vehicle was still running and was nearly a half mile away from his location. I obtained a description of his partner and explained to him that I would locate her.

I walked back up to the Stone Arch Bridge and located Officer Greer’s partner, who was securing this entry point to the area. I told her where Officer Greer was located and that he instructed me to find and secure their police cruiser. She could not leave her position and gave me the squad number and general area where I could find the vehicle. I went in search of their vehicle and located it at the far side of Metal Matic. The doors were locked and the car was running. I recognized Minneapolis Police Inspector Skomra, who was my uncle’s partner, approached him and identified myself as a member of the Sheriff’s Office. I explained what I was detailed with by Officer Greer and that I could not gain entrance to Officer Greer’s police cruiser. Inspector Skomra handed me a master key to the squad car. I went back to the car, unlocked it, turned it off, took the key out of the ignition and secured the doors. I returned Inspector Skomra’s keys and returned to the Stone Arch Bridge area.

I located Officer Greer’s partner and explained to her what I did and handed the key to their police cruiser to her. I then went back down the hill to the river’s edge and met back up with Officer Greer. I explained to Officer Greer that I located his partner and their vehicle and that both were fine. Officer Greer was in the process of moving a deceased victim to the corner’s vehicle and asked for my assistance. Officer Greer completed the necessary paperwork requested from the corner and I assisted in moving the victim to the corner’s vehicle. Officer Greer explained to me that this was going to be the staging area for the remaining victims, if any, and asked if I could stand by to assist him. I remained on scene and assisted Officer Greer with the remaining three victims as they were recovered from the wreckage.

At approximately 2200 hours, rescue crews were finishing up their duties for the evening. I explained to Officer Greer that I needed to remove myself from the scene in order to get home and rested for the next days work with the Office. Officer Greer thanked me for my assistance and I cleared at approximately 2230 hours.