Investigation: Fridley Officer Barry Pankonin's Motorcycle Death Was 'Tragic Accident'

The off-duty officer died Aug. 21 from crashing after he 'lost control,' according to police in Plymouth.

About a month after Fridley Police Officer Barry Pankonin died in a motorcycle crash outside his Plymouth home, investigators have determined it was a "tragic accident," said Plymouth Police Chief Mike Goldstein. "There was no foul play, driver inattentiveness or alcohol involved," Goldstein said. "It would appear that Mr. Pankonin lost control of the motorcycle and struck a tree. The impact from the crash caused life-threatening injuries that ultimately took Mr. Pankonin’s life." Goldstein said the final report explained that Pankonin "was not an experienced motorcycle operator and that lack of experience could have contributed to the crash." The report did not indicate that there were any malfunctions found with the motorcycle itself, he…

• Photos (3)

Motorcycle Deaths on Rise in Minnesota

Two of this year's 47 deaths were off-duty Fridley public safety personnel.

Motorcycle deaths are on the increase in Minnesota, state officials said Thursday, with fatalities for 2012 now at 47—a figure that includes Fridley firefighter Scott Allard and Fridley police officer Barry Pankonin. The tally of fatalities this year has already passed the 42 motorcycle-crash deaths in Minnesota in 2011, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. (See the DPS 2011 Crash Facts for motorcycles by clicking on PDF thumbnail.) At least one of those 2011 crashes was in Fridley: Nicholas Alexander Owczynsky of Lauderdale died in September 2011 after he wiped out while trying to turn at University and 73rd avenues NE. Warmer weather that allows a longer season for motorcycling in non-winter conditions is one factor. …

• Videos (1)

On Social Media, Fridley Police Officer Barry Pankonin Remembered by Family, Friends

A funeral for the Fridley officer was held Saturday.

• Photos (1)

At Barry Pankonin's Funeral, Hundreds Remember Plymouth Resident as Friendly Fridley Police Officer

The service for Pankonin, who died in an off-duty motorcycle crash Tuesday, was packed with police, firefighters and other first responders, as well as friends, neighbors and family.

In the days following Fridley Police Officer Barry Pankonin’s Aug. 21, 2012 off-duty death near his home in Plymouth, Fridley Police Chief Don Abbott asked city staff members for one word to describe the late member of their “police family.” Abbott shared what he heard with family members, neighbors, friends, police officers, firefighters and other first responders at Pankonin’s funeral Saturday: “Do you know what the number one response was? 'Smile.' Something about his smile. How deep it was, how warm it was and how genuine it was.” See a separate post with more than 50 photos from Barry Pankonin's funeral. Hundreds Celebrate 'Panks' Pankonin died suddenly Tuesday in a motorcycle crash involving no other vehicles or pedestrians, only …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (4)

Funeral for Fridley Police Officer Barry Pankonin Is Saturday, 1 p.m.

Memorial service is at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2060 Co. Rd. 6, Long Lake

PHOTO: Remembering Fridley Police Officer Barry Pankonin

A memorial has sprung up near his home and the fatal motorcycle crash site in Plymouth.

Here is a memorial near the Plymouth home of Fridley Police Officer Barry Pankonin, who died nearby in an off-duty motorcycle crash on Tuesday. His funeral is Saturday, with visitation on Friday. (See separate post for full funeral arrangements.) Leave a comment below, or if you have one, add a photo of Barry Pankonin to this post.

• Photos (2)

Motorcycle Crash Kills Off-Duty Fridley Police Officer

Barry Pankonin was wearing a helmet; alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in the single-vehicle crash near his Plymouth home, police said.

See a separate story about the memorial service for Fridley Police Officer Barry Pankokin, and another post with more than 50 photos from Pankonin's funeral. Also: a photo of memorials left near Pankonin's home and the crash site. Fridley Police Officer Barry Pankonin died Tuesday near his Plymouth home in an off-duty motorcycle crash that did not involve other vehicles, pedestrians or riders. He was wearing a helmet. He was 38, a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard with more than 12 years service to Fridley. Funeral arrangements are pending [Note: funeral arrangements are now public] and an investigation by Plymouth police continues. It is the first death of an active-duty Fridley police officer, whether in the line of duty or off …

•  14 Comments
• Photos (1)