Nisswa, Minnesota Mayor Fred Heidmann Arrested For Interfering With Police During Traffic Stop

Police body camera footage shows Nisswa Mayor Fred Heidmann in a profanity-laced tirade against two police officers conducting a traffic stop of a third party Saturday, Aug. 29, in Nisswa.

“You guys are just as bad as the cops in Minneapolis,” and “I’m the mayor of this (expletive) town” were among the statements Heidmann made to the officers in footage provided to the Dispatch.

After refusing officers’ warnings to move to a safer area, Heidmann was arrested under probable cause for disorderly conduct and obstructing the legal process while officers were conducting a traffic stop near his business on Highway 371 and Skillman Street, south of Nisswa. In a written statement, Heidmann said he planned to fight any charges resulting from the incident because he had a right to free speech and the traffic stop was over when the confrontation occurred.

According to police reports, Pequot Lakes officer Matthew Jorgens made a traffic stop just before 8 p.m. while working the Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program, and Nisswa officer Matthew Thompson was called to assist.

While the officers were conducting the traffic stop, Thompson observed Heidmann recording the traffic stop from across Highway 371 on Round Lake Road. Heidmann continued to record for a few minutes and then began to cross the highway toward the vehicle that was pulled over. Thompson observed Heidmann walk to the back of his squad car. The officer advised Heidmann he could record the traffic stop but he should do it from a safe distance. Heidmann asked what the officers were doing and why they stopped the vehicle. The Nisswa officer advised the mayor he was assisting with the traffic stop and again told him to “go back where it was safe,” the police report stated. Heidmann did not listen and he continued to argue with the officer.

According to the police report, Heidmann stated, “Don’t you guys have something better to do? … Go patrol the (expletive) streets,” and “You guys aren’t qualified to be out here on the highway.”

The officer again advised Heidmann to leave and stand back where it was safe. Heidmann refused to leave and continued to argue, stating, “I’m the mayor of this (expletive) town,” “You guys are not drug people,” and “You guys are (expletive) (expletive).”

During the interaction, Heidmann is seen in the body camera footage holding a leash attached to a dog, which got loose at one point and walked along the busy highway. Heidmann is seen walking to get the dog.

Jorgens then advised Heidmann it was not safe for him to be where he was, standing on the highway fog line. Heidmann replied, “Don’t tell me what to do, I know what I’m doing,” and, “You guys are just as bad as the cops in Minneapolis,” the police report stated. The officer again advised Heidmann to leave and Heidmann stated, “Shut the (explicit) up” and left the scene.