Derek was a 2003 Simley High School graduate. He was active in football, weightlifting, and marching band. Derek continued playing football in college and graduated from Hamline University in 2007 with a degree in criminal justice. As he pursued his dream of becoming a law enforcement officer he worked as a reserve police officer for the City of WSP and worked as a security guard for Regions Hospital. In 2013 Derek graduated from the MN State Patrol Training Academy and began working for the MN State Patrol as a State Trooper. During his time with the MN State Patrol, he earned two lifesaving awards, became a field training officer, and attended Donald Trump’s inauguration as a US Marshall. Most importantly, Derek was a devoted family man, husband, and an amazing father to two young children. Derek passed away from metastatic melanoma in November 2021. The Derek Haehnel Memorial Law Enforcement Scholarship has been established in loving memory of Derek Haehnel by his family and is being offered to a graduating senior interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement.