Metro Transit Police Department Honors Lt. Beverly Rodriguez with Inaugural Service Award
The Metro Transit Police Department recently presented the first-ever Lt. Beverly Rodriguez Service Award to a team of dedicated employees who share her commitment to helping the homeless. The award was given to the department’s Homeless Action Team, which Rodriguez led at the time of her passing.
The team, consisting of Officers Katherine Kompeleian, Quentin Waterkamp, Junehee Han, and Hannah Karau, has continued to embody Rodriguez’s spirit, mission, and heart, according to Metro Transit Police Department Interim Chief Joseph Dotseth. Rodriguez, who tragically drowned on June 22 in White Bear Lake, was a devoted officer and fierce advocate for compassion, equity, and humanity in policing.
A Legacy of Compassion and Service
Rodriguez, 40, of Woodbury, joined the Metro Transit Police Department in 2017 and was posthumously promoted to lieutenant. Her legacy continues to guide the department’s work and shape its values, Dotseth said. Rodriguez once stated, “We’re not just here to serve the public, we’re here to understand it.” This philosophy is reflected in the work of the Homeless Action Team, which operates on the front lines of addressing homelessness in the region.
The team has focused on St. Paul in the past year, with regular details at Central Station downtown and on University Avenue. Dotseth praised the team’s efforts, saying they are “continuing to do work that reflects Lt. Rodriguez’s spirit, mission, and heart.” Members of Rodriguez’s family, including her sons, Macallen and Macody, were recognized at the awards ceremony, which was held at The Club at Golden Valley.
Supervisor of the Year Award
Rodriguez was also honored with the department’s Supervisor of the Year Award, which was presented by Officer Peter Eshenaur. Eshenaur described Rodriguez as a leader, mentor, and protector who was “more than a supervisor.” He highlighted her compassion, courage, and rare blend of strength and grace, particularly in her advocacy for vulnerable community members.
A framed photo of Metro Transit Police Department Lt. Beverly Rodriguez graced the table outside the department’s annual awards ceremony on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. Rodriguez was honored posthumously with the department’s Supervisor of the Year Award. (Mary E. Divine / Pioneer Press)
Metropolitan Council Chairwoman Debra Barber praised Rodriguez’s leadership and legacy, saying, “Our hearts will always hold her light close, and may we always remember how Lt. Beverly Rodriguez led with compassion, humanity, and dignity for others.” The ceremony also recognized other Metro Transit officers for their outstanding service, including those who responded to a shooting on May 12 at Fifth and Cedar streets in downtown St. Paul.
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