Mike Gau was a 54-year-old lieutenant of the Belle Plaine Fire Department in Minnesota. He was a 23-year veteran of the volunteer fire department and a respected leader and mentor. He was also a construction worker who worked for Veit & Company. He was married to Jenny Gau and had two children, Tyler and Taylor.
How did Mike Gau die?
Mike Gau died on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, after he was struck by a dump truck while working in a construction zone at the intersection of Rockford Road and Nathan Lane North in Plymouth.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. The driver of the dump truck cooperated with the police investigation and no charges were filed.
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | June 15, 1969 |
| Date of death | August 30, 2023 |
| Place of birth | Shakopee, Minnesota |
| Place of death | Plymouth, Minnesota |
| Cause of death | Blunt force trauma from being hit by a dump truck |
| Occupation | Firefighter and construction worker |
| School | Belle Plaine Senior High School (graduated in 1987) |
| Spouse | Jenny Gau |
| Children | Tyler Gau and Taylor Gau |
| Parents | Robert Gau and Mary Gau |
| Siblings | Bob Gau Jr., Jeff Gau, Tim Gau, Tom Gau, Jim Gau, Sue Schmitz, and Amy Schmitz |
| Facebook Page | Click Here |
A tragic loss for the community
Mike Gau was working as a flagger at the intersection of Rockford Road and Nathan Lane North when he was hit by the truck around 12:30 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the dump truck, a 24-year-old man from Maple Grove, remained at the scene and cooperated with the police. The accident is still under investigation.
Gau had been a volunteer firefighter for 23 years and was well-respected and loved by his colleagues and the community.
“Mike Gau was always smiling, always joking around, always making people laugh,” said Belle Plaine Fire Chief Todd Otto. “He was a great leader, a great mentor, a great friend.”
Otto said Gau was passionate about firefighting and always willing to help others. He said Gau was involved in many aspects of the department, including training, equipment maintenance, fundraising and public education.
“Mike Gau was always there for anything we needed,” Otto said. “He was very dedicated to the fire service and to the city of Belle Plaine.”
A Dedicated Volunteer and a Joyful Presence
Lt. Gau joined the Belle Plaine Fire Department in 2000 and served as a lieutenant since 2010. He was a dedicated volunteer who responded to hundreds of calls over the years, ranging from fires to medical emergencies to car accidents. He was also involved in fire prevention education and community events.
Mike Gau was known for his cheerful personality and his sense of humor. He could always make his fellow firefighters and the people he helped laugh and smile. He was described by Henderson Fire and Rescue as someone who “could usually be located by following the laughs on a fire ground.” He was also a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to many.
Honoring His Life and Legacy
On Thursday, September 1, 2023, an honorary procession was held to honor Lt. Gau’s life and service. The procession began in Minnetonka at approximately 4:00 pm and traveled east on Highway 62 to Interstate 494 to South Highway 169. The honorary procession exited Highway 169 at Main Street (Highway 25) at approximately 4:30 p.m. The honorary procession continued through Belle Plaine turning north on Walnut Street, west on State Street, arriving at Kolden Funeral Home.
Several other fire departments paid their respects as well, including Montgomery Fire Department, which hung a flag from a ladder truck in memory of the fallen firefighter. Many people lined the streets to show their support and gratitude for Lt. Gau and his family.
How did the community honor him?
- A procession was held on Thursday, August 31, 2023, to pay tribute to Mike Gau.
- The procession started from Minnetonka and went through Highway 62, Interstate 494, Highway 169, Main Street, Walnut Street, and State Street before reaching the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine.
- Several fire departments from neighboring towns joined the procession and hung flags from their ladder trucks in memory of the fallen firefighter.
- The Belle Plaine Fire Department Relief Association posted on Facebook: “Our friends as Henderson Fire said it best ‘Mike could usually be located by following the laughs on a fire ground. He will be greatly missed.’”
