Clayton Connolly, Retired Minnesota Police Officer, Killed While Helping Stranded Motorist in Elk River

A retired Minnesota police officer tragically lost his life Tuesday morning while assisting a stranded motorist on icy roads in Elk River, authorities said.

Clayton Connolly, 53, of Nowthen, stopped around 6:25 a.m. at Main Street NW and Highway 169 to help a driver whose car had been involved in a crash, according to the Elk River Police Department. While Connolly was assisting, a vehicle driven by Hilario Ortiz-Vital, 30, of Minnetonka, lost control on the slick roadway, striking both Connolly and the disabled car. Connolly was rushed to Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Remembering Clayton Connolly

Family, friends, and colleagues are mourning Connolly, a former Brooklyn Park police officer who served for 15 years before retiring in 2014. A GoFundMe set up for his family described Connolly as someone who “always stopped to help someone in need,” highlighting his selflessness and dedication to the community.

“Clayton was a character and one of a kind,” his cousin Renee Hybben told KARE 11. “He touched more lives than imaginable and was a true Son, Brother, Husband, Father, and Friend.”

Former colleague Officer Mike Ploumen recalled Connolly’s enthusiasm for service and his larger-than-life personality. “The way Clayton died was the way he lived,” Ploumen said. “He helped people—random strangers—hundreds of times, and this past week was no different.”

The Incident

The stranded vehicle and Ortiz-Vital’s car were damaged, but neither driver sought medical attention. Authorities reported no immediate signs of impairment, with icy conditions cited as a contributing factor. The crash remains under investigation.

Connolly is survived by his wife, Tracy, and two children, Leah, 14, and Collin, 17. The family has received an outpouring of support from the community, reflecting the impact Connolly had throughout his life.

“Clayton knew just about everyone in Nowthen,” the GoFundMe page notes. “He was our neighborhood watch, always keeping an eye out for everyone on the street. That was just who he was: always looking out for people and helping in any way he could.”