Officer makes first appearance on DWI charges

A Cloquet police officer made his first virtual court appearance Oct. 15 after being arrested for driving while impaired in August. The next court action will take place Nov. 5.

Andrew Michael Murray, 34, allegedly crashed his car near 223 Gillespie Road in Carlton on Aug. 6, and fled into some nearby woods, according to a Minnesota State Patrol incident report. In addition to the MSP, Cloquet and Fond du Lac police officers assisted at the scene. Murray was located a short time later and taken into custody without incident.

Murray is being charged with fourth-degree driving while impaired and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, both misdemeanors.

According to the MSP report, during the course of the investigation, the trooper observed that Murray showed signs of impairment. He was transported to Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet and a search warrant obtained for a blood sample. Murray was off duty at the time of the crash.

According to the MSP report, Murray remained at the hospital for further medical treatment. He was never taken to the Carlton County jail, so his name did not appear on any intake forms or jail rosters.

Results of the blood alcohol tests for Murray have yet to be noted anywhere in documents.

Duluth attorney Shawn Reed is prosecuting the case because of Murray’s position as a police officer and the potential for a conflict of interest with the Cloquet City Attorney’s office and the Carlton County Attorney’s office.

Reed did not respond to emailed questions from the Pine Knot News before this story went to press.

During Thursday’s hearing, Reed said Murray wanted to share additional information with him and asked Judge Robert Macaulay to set the next hearing in three or four weeks. A pretrial virtual hearing is set for 9 a.m. Nov. 5 with Judge Rebekka Stumme.

Following Murray’s arrest in August, Cloquet police chief Derek Randall released a statement. Without identifying Murray, the chief said the officer was placed on paid, nondisciplinary administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.

Per department policy, an internal investigation will take place after the criminal matter is completed, Randall said.