Obituary of Charles Otis Palmquist

Charles O. Palmquist

Palmquist, Charles 83, of Edina, passed away peacefully August 16, 2021. Charles was born Nov. 24, 1937, to Carl Sr. and Anne in Minneapolis. He served in the United States Marines Corps. for 4 years and as a Minneapolis Police Officer for 27 years. Charles was blessed with seven children. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Ronald, Carl Jr. (Mary), niece Penny, sisters Betty and Patty, half-brother Junior Larson, and brother-in-law Dick Paulsen. Charles will be sadly missed by his son Steven (Vicki), daughter Sandy (Roderick), son Erik, son Charlie (Lisa), daughter Jennifer (Cris) Wraspir, son Matthew (Renee), son Michael (Alyssa), grandchildren Jaz Lee, Mason, Reagan, Dylan, Reese, Bryce, Maverick, brothers Gary (Carol), and Barry (Kathy), sister Ellen Paulson, nephews, nieces, and other relatives. No funeral services will be held per Charles’ wishes. A private spreading of his ashes will be held later.

Charles was a graduate of the Class of 1955 from Roosevelt Senior High School in Minneapolis, MN. He went on to join the United States Marine Corps from 1955-1959 where he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was honorably discharged as a Sargent.

He was destined to serve as a COP with his own initials being COP. In 1962 that destiny was met when he attended Recruit School for the City of Minneapolis Police Department. He served the public at the 3rd and 4th Precincts. He also was an instructor in the Training Division where he instructed police skills recruit classes and in-service school Riot Control and Anti-Sniper Team. He was also assigned to the Special Operations Division.

He worked in the training division out of the 3rd Precinct for defensive and emergency reaction driving courses and put together the departments Shoot Don’t Shoot courses and riot control which was modeled after the Beverly Hills California Police Department’s success program.

From 1962 to 1992 he worked in the Personnel Division, Internal Affairs, White Collar Crimes Unit, 5th Precinct Property Claims, and Background Investigation Unit. He Developed and supervised Law Enforcement Student Internship Program for the 5th Precinct Property Claims. Investigations of Fraud, Theft, and Missing Persons. In 1992, after 27 years of dedicated service to the City of Minneapolis Police Department he retired. He received many accommodations over his years of service but perhaps the great compliments come from his partners saying he wasn’t a good cop; he was THE greatest cop.

After his retirement he went into the public sector where he worked a variety of jobs for sales at Brodin Studios Inc., Security Department at the Mall of America and lastly before his full retirement worked as a Branch Manager for Pinkerton/Burns International/Securitas with his territory being in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Charles was a great friend, brother, father, and grandfather. He will be greatly missed.