Fargo Police Department

05/31/2026

Yesterday, the was proud to help support the Essentia Health Fargo Marathon alongside our community partners.

From officers on Trikkes and traffic control posts throughout the course to real-time monitoring behind the scenes and even helping a few runners at the finish line, our team was honored to play a role in keeping this event safe and successful.

Congratulations to all the runners who took on the challenge, and thank you to the event organizers, volunteers, medical personnel, partner agencies and spectators who helped make another Fargo Marathon weekend a success.

We also appreciate everyone's patience with road closures and traffic impacts as we worked together to ensure a safe experience for all.

05/30/2026

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Today is marathon day in Fargo!

Temporary road closures are in place along the course, so please plan ahead, allow extra travel time and use alternate routes when possible.

If you need to get somewhere and aren't sure how to navigate around the course, find one of the officers stationed along the route. We're happy to help guide you to your destination.

We understand closures and delays can be frustrating, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as participants take part in today's event. Our goal is to help ensure a safe experience for runners, spectators and everyone traveling throughout the community.

Thank you, Fargo, and good luck to all the runners!

🏁🔥 IT'S MARATHON DAY, FARGO! 🔥🏁

Today's the day.

The alarms have gone off. The gear is laid out. The training is done. Now it's time to put all those miles to work. 💪

Whether you're taking on the 10K, Half Marathon, or Full Marathon, remember that every step today is the result of months of dedication, early mornings, and hard work.

Trust your training. Soak in the crowds. Celebrate the journey. And when things get tough, remember why you started. ❤️

This is your moment. Go make it count.

We'll see you at the finish line. 🏅

05/29/2026

On Friday, May 29, at approximately 2:24 a.m., officers were conducting an investigation into a suspicious text message that a victim received from someone they knew referencing their address in the 4300 block of Estate Dr. S. and a threat with a firearm. During the investigation, officers identified the suspect as 19-year-old, Fargo resident, Henok Francis.

While on the phone with a male witness, the witness mentioned seeing Francis on the 4300 block of Estate Dr. S. A few seconds later, a loud bang could be heard over the phone by the officer. The witness confirmed the bang was a gunshot and that Francis had fired upon him but was not struck and was not injured.

At this time, more FPD officers quickly responded to the area and set up a perimeter in search of Francis. During this time, officers learned information that led them to believe Francis may be headed to a nearby residence in the 4500 block of Bluestem Ct. Due to the circumstances of what had just occurred, the Red River Valley SWAT Team and Red River Regional Drone Team were activated to assist in the search.

Red River Valley SWAT arrived on scene at 5:31 a.m. and later determined Francis was not inside the residence. At 7:26 a.m., the drone team located Francis in the 4000 block of 51st Way S.

At 7:28 a.m., Francis was taken into custody by Red River Valley SWAT without incident, arrested and transported to the Cass County Jail for Terrorizing and Felony Reckless Endangerment with a Firearm.

The Fargo Police Department commends the response of its officers, the Red River Valley SWAT Team and the Red River Regional Drone Team in ensuring the safety of the public and resolving this situation quickly, and without incident. The FPD is committed to safeguarding our community by demonstrating our core values of Professionalism and Guardianship.

05/29/2026

Today is National Heat Awareness Day ☀️, and with the recent warm weather and temperatures expected to be in the upper 80s and 90s today and throughout the weekend, we wanted to show just how dangerous heat can become inside a vehicle.

We placed a digital thermometer inside a white vehicle for two hours yesterday while the outside temperature was in the 90s. The interior temperature of the car started at 71° and reached a maximum of 138°. When this photo was taken, it was still 134° inside the vehicle.

Even though it was a lighter-colored vehicle, it still become dangerously hot in a short amount of time. Here are some tips to help keep everyone safe in the heat.

🚗 Take a second look in the back seat before locking your vehicle.
🔑 Never leave children, pets or vulnerable individuals inside a parked car, even for “just a minute”.
💧 Keep water in your vehicle and stay hydrated while traveling or spending time outdoors.
🐾 Bring pets with you when you leave the vehicle. Cracked windows do not keep cars safe.
🌡️ Vehicle interiors heat up much faster than many people realize, even with lighter-colored vehicles.

Stay safe and stay cool, Fargo. ☀️💧

05/28/2026

⚠️ If you or someone you know lives in Fargo, share this information so everyone is prepared for the upcoming Essentia Health Fargo Marathon events this weekend. ⚠️

Several road and lane closures will be implemented in the area to accommodate the race routes. A list of all road closure information, including closure and re-opening times beginning as early as 3 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, can be found in this post.

Most impacted roads and lanes of traffic are estimated to be re-opened by 2:05 p.m., with many re-opening earlier after all runners have passed through the impacted area (see road closure list in the post for all estimated times). The area of the start and finish line at Albrecht Ave. between 15th Ave. N. and 17th Ave. N. and 17th Ave. N. from 18th St. N. to University Dr. are estimated to be re-opened by 5 p.m.

Residents and visitors are advised to plan alternative routes and expect delays in the vicinity of the marathon and other ongoing events. Residents and visitors are also asked to plan for extra travel time and watch for runners, volunteers and public safety personnel along the course to ensure everyone’s safety.

Parking areas may also be disrupted along the event routes. Law enforcement personnel will assist Fargo Marathon staff with traffic control to ensure the safety of participants and spectators.

Fargo Hector International Airport will be accessible from Interstate 29 (I-29) on Saturday, May 30; downtown traffic should use Main Avenue to I-29 to travel to the airport.

05/27/2026

Last night, May 26, the performed a field promotion to swear in newly appointed Lieutenant Jesseca White.

Lieutenant White will serve as a Night Shift Commander in the Neighborhood Services Division. She has been with the department since October 2008, most recently serving as a sergeant in the Professional Accountability Unit within the Professional Standards Division.

Throughout her career, Lieutenant White has demonstrated strong leadership, professionalism and a commitment to both the department and the community she serves. As she steps into this new role, she will help lead and mentors officers on patrol and support critical overnight operations across the city.

Congratulations, Lieutenant White, on achieving this well-earned milestone in your law enforcement career.

05/27/2026

The lobby at FPD Headquarters is closing at 2 p.m. today, Wednesday, May 27. Regular lobby hours will resume on Thursday, May 28.

This early closure allows time for the FPD Records Unit to host a monthly all-staff meeting and training to discuss current projects and processes within the unit and to promote continuous professional growth for our staff.

05/27/2026

Today, Academy Class IX officially graduated and took their oath to serve the Fargo community as the newest officers of The Fargo Police Department.

Since the first day of the academy in January, these recruits have been challenged mentally, physically and emotionally through countless hours of classroom instruction, hands-on training and real-world scenarios designed to prepare them for the realities of the job. Along the way, they built trust in one another and learned the meaning of service above self.

While graduation marks the end of the academy, it also marks the beginning of their careers. These seven new officers now move into the Police Training Officer (PTO) program, where they’ll continue learning alongside experienced Fargo officers in the field over the next 16 weeks.

This video gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the journey of Fargo Police Academy Class IX and the dedication it takes to answer the call to serve.

Congratulations, officers, and welcome to .

05/26/2026

Earlier this morning, Chief Travis Stefonowicz was officially sworn in as the 39th Chief of Police of the .

During today’s ceremony, a video played featuring voices from across our community sharing what kind of leader and person Chief Stefonowicz is and what Fargo is gaining in its next Chief of Police. Told through the words of his peers and his family, it painted a clear picture of Chief Stefonowicz's character, leadership and service.

Fargo Police Department captains Matt Christensen, Troy Hannig and Travis Moser, along with our metro partners including Sheriff Jesse Jahner of the Cass County Sheriff's Office - Fargo, ND, Chief Pete Nielsen of the West Fargo Police Department and Chief Chris Helmick of the Moorhead Police Department, spoke to his steady leadership, commitment to collaboration, trust and relationships he's built across agencies and within the FPD. His wife Emily also shared heartfelt reflections that highlighted Cheif Stefonowicz's humility, balance and strong family foundation that shape who he is beyond the badge.

Together, all their words spoke to a leader defined not by titles, but by integrity, consistency and a genuine commitment to people.

Chief Stefonowicz began his career with The Fargo Police Department after graduating from the academy and has worked his way through the ranks serving as Sergeant, Lieutenant, Assistant Chief and now Chief of Police. We are proud of his journey, proud of his leadership and proud to have him as our next Chief of Police in Fargo.