BCA identifies man, officer involved in Otter Tail County force incident
Sept. 30, 2026
ST. PAUL — The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man who died during a Sept. 26 use-of-force incident in Otter Tail County as Christopher Olson, 39, of Battle Lake.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified the police officer who used force during this incident.
- Fergus Falls police officer Matthew Cederberg fired his department-issued firearm. He has 16 years of law enforcement experience. He has been placed on critical incident leave by the Fergus Falls Police Department.
Officer Cederberg is a member of the multi-jurisdictional Otter Tail County SWAT Team that responded to this incident.
According to the BCA’s preliminary investigation, on Sept. 25 at about 5:54 p.m., Otter Tail County deputies responded to a home on the 30000 block of Twin Lakes Road in rural Battle Lake after a family member stopped at the home to check on a relative, later identified as Olson. Olson answered the door armed with a shotgun and assaulted the family member. Olson then reentered the home and barricaded himself inside.
Due to the nature of the call, the Otter Tail County SWAT Team responded and attempted to negotiate with Olson. At one point, Olson exited the home and fired his shotgun at an armored SWAT vehicle before retreating back inside. Despite repeated requests from law enforcement, Olson refused to surrender.
Over several hours, negotiators had limited contact with Olson. At about 3 a.m., Olson appeared in the doorway armed with the shotgun. Officer Cederberg fired his department-issued firearm, striking Olson. Officers and a SWAT medic provided medical aid to Olson, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
BCA crime scene personnel documented the damage to the armored vehicle, recovered two shotguns, live ammunition and spent cartridge casings.
The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office requested the BCA investigate the use of force. Once the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings without recommendation on charges to the Otter Tail County Attorney’s Office for review.
