St. Cloud Police Officer Justin Wagman was enjoying his time off when he saw someone with a warrant out for their arrest.
On Dec. 8, Wagman called his on-duty colleagues to coordinate an arrest at a parking lot near the Crossroads Center mall. However, it wasn’t a seamless arrest. The suspect tried to evade officers and ran toward the mall.
Justin Wagman (left) received the medal of commendation at the May 19, 2025 St. Cloud City Council meeting.
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Wagman jumped into action, despite being off-duty and without protective gear. His actions led him to receive the medal of commendation — the second-highest honor in the St. Cloud Police Department.
“Although Officer Wagman was off duty and without the normal equipment and safety gear he would normally possess, he ran after the suspect, catching up to him as he entered a vestibule into the mall,” Police Chief Jeffrey Oxton said while presenting the award. “(He) identified himself as a police officer and physically caught and restrained the suspect until the on duty officers arrived; the suspect was safely taken into custody without any further incident.”
Oxton said Wagman jumped into action knowing the suspect is known to illegally carry a handgun.
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Oxton said only 17 medal of commendation awards were presented in the past 35 years.
“(His) dedication and professionalism to both the city and the people at the mall that day exemplify the highest standards of outstanding service and conspicuous bravery,” Oxton said.
Wagman has been a licensed police officer since May 22, 2017, according to the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training. He was honored at the May 19 St. Cloud City Council meeting. Oxton said Wagman is assigned to the patrol division as a K-9 handler and has worked at the department for eight years.
“Thank you very much for your service, and (to) the rest of the men and women (in your) profession, thank you for all you guys do,” Councilmember Mike Conway said.
Corey Schmidt covers politics and courts for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: St. Cloud police officer awarded medal of commendation
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