Fallen chief to be honored 18 years after death

For years, Doug Claassen suffered a life-changing, career ending spinal injury from a violent suspect he was trying to arrest. Though he died 18 years ago, his sacrifice had largely gone unnoticed publicly until recently.
“He had a lot of pain and struggles for years,” said Claassen’s widow, Kathy, of Kasson. “It was unbelievable.”
Doug Claassen was injured in the line of duty in 1977 just 15 minutes before he was set to go home for the night while serving as police chief in Hayfield. The incident took place just months before the police department was dissolved and the county took over police services. He received what later would become a debilitating injury and ultimately lead to his death while trying to arrest a violent driver believed to be high on drugs.
During his battle with a severe spinal injury, Kathy spent several years with another fight on her hands. She fought worker’s compensation for nearly nine years to get his injury covered. After he died in 1999, Kathy continued battling to get him recognized through the state and federal government for his sacrifice to the community. 
Through it all, Kathy kept the behind-the-scenes battles over her husband’s injury private. State and federal officials finally ruled his death as a line-of-duty death, but Kathy kept it pretty much to herself, even with local law enforcement officials. 
Last summer Dodge County Sheriff Scott Rose began talking to Doug’s family and learned about the state and federal ruling. Rose admits he was “shocked” in learning about the ruling. “I’ve known the family since I was a kid, but didn’t know any of the details,” Rose said. “I knew he died, but did not know he was counted in the line of duty deaths,” he added. 
Since he found out about the ruling, Rose has led an effort to honor Doug’s ultimate sacrifice. “I made it a mission to make sure he was recognized,” he said. “I felt it was important for Doug to be recognized locally here for his service and sacrifice.” 
A reception will take place Feb. 16 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. with a short program at 3 p.m. at the Government