Retired Brooklyn Park Officer Clayton Connolly Killed While Assisting Motorist in Elk River

The north metro community is mourning the death of Clayton Connolly, a retired Brooklyn Park police officer who was killed Tuesday morning while helping a stranded motorist during icy road conditions in Elk River.

Connolly, 53, a resident of Nowthen and a 20 year veteran of the Brooklyn Park Police Department, was struck by a passing vehicle shortly after dawn on December 16 while stopped along Main Street NW at the base of the northbound Highway 169 exit ramp in downtown Elk River.

The incident

According to the Elk River Police Department, the crash occurred at approximately 6:25 a.m. amid slick and icy conditions. Authorities said Connolly had pulled over and exited his vehicle to assist another driver whose car had become disabled due to the weather.

While Connolly was outside his vehicle, a car driven by a 30 year old man from Minnetonka exited Highway 169, lost control on the ice, and struck Connolly near the ramp. Emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police said there were no initial indications that alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash. The investigation remains focused on road conditions and the sequence of events leading up to the collision.

A life defined by service

Connolly served with the Brooklyn Park Police Department for two decades, including 15 years as a patrol officer, from 1999 until his retirement in 2014. Former colleagues described him as a deeply committed public servant whose sense of duty extended well beyond his official career.

Even after retiring, Connolly remained closely connected to fellow officers and to his community. Neighbors in Nowthen remembered him as an unofficial neighborhood watch figure, someone who routinely stopped to help with equipment, check on residents, or offer assistance without being asked.

Those who knew him said the circumstances of his death reflected the way he lived his life. He saw someone in need and stopped to help.

Family and community support

Connolly is survived by his wife, Tracy, and their two children, Colin, 17, and Leah, 14.

In the days following his death, friends and community members established a GoFundMe campaign to support the family. Messages left by donors consistently echoed the same sentiment: that Clayton Connolly’s final moments were an extension of a lifetime spent looking out for others.

A sobering reminder

The fatal crash underscores the dangers posed by winter driving conditions, particularly near highway ramps and high traffic corridors. Law enforcement officials continue to urge motorists to slow down during icy conditions and to use extreme caution when stopping along roadways.

For the communities of Brooklyn Park, Nowthen, and Elk River, Connolly’s death is not only a tragic loss but also a powerful reminder of quiet acts of service that too often go unnoticed until they are gone.

MinneapoliMedia