OUR MISSION/HISTORY

On December 4, 2017 Andy “Big Bear” Suerth died suddenly while on vacation with his family. Andy was a very well respected Police Officer for the city of Brooklyn Park, MN, a founding father of our beer-league hockey team (the Goats), and one of the best guys around. If you knew Andy, you loved Andy.

After we lost our brother, we decided to memorialize him by combining some of his (and our) favorite things… hockey, beers, and having a great time with friends. Soon after, the Big Bear Hockey Classic was created for all first responders (and friends) welcome to participate.

In April of 2019, we held our first hockey tournament, raising money for a former partner of Andy’s at Brooklyn Park PD, Emily Krob who was battling an aggressive form of cancer.

On the heels of the success of our first tournament, we formed the Big Bear Foundation so we could continue to help make a difference in the lives of the brave men and women making a difference every day on the streets. Each year, this tournament will be held in Big Andy’s honor, raising money for a deserving first responder who is in need of monetary support.

Since our inception in 2018, we have raised over $92,000 for our beneficiaries and their families through this tournament.

2019 - Brooklyn Park PD Officer Emily Krob
2020 - Bloomington PD Officer Matt Ryan
2021 - Savage PD Officer Rob Calvin
2022 - Ramsey Co Deputy Brandon Berg
2023 - Golden Valley PD Assistant Chief Terry Sleavin
2024 - Ramsey Co Deputy Dallas Edeburn
2025 - St Paul PD Officer Shawn Filiowich
2026 - Washington Co Deputy Chris Majeski

No one wants to experience their “worst day ever” but when you do, you are blessed to have Chris Majeski be the first person on scene to assist you. His ability to make an instant assessment of the situation and jump into action has earned him great respect by those in need as well as his law enforcement partners. He is also known to follow up with and encourage families following tragedies. In addition to Chris’s full time job at Washington County, he has also served on the Scandia Fire Dept for 18 years. He is truly a “community helper” with a servant’s heart. He even drives school bus on his days off.

Unfortunately, Chris experienced his own “worst day ever” in October 2024. He had been diagnosed with tonsil cancer in February of 2024, but at that time, he was given a 95 plus percent chance at being cancer free. He underwent 10 rounds of chemo and 35 radiation treatments to the throat and showed incredible perseverance and even continued working until the very end of treatment. As he and his doctor said “Distraction can be great medicine.” He was hoping to celebrate being cancer free after his Pet Scan in October, but learned instead that his cancer had spread to his lungs and bones and was now considered “incurable.” The doctors remained hopeful that if immunotherapy worked, success could be measured in years, not just months. For the next year Chris went through additional chemo, immunotherapy, and multiple rounds of radiation, but nothing was stopping the spread of cancer. In October 2025 he needed surgery to place a metal rod inside his femur bone from his hip to his knee as the tumor growing inside the bone was about to shatter it. Despite all of the medical challenges, Chris continues to appreciate every day he is given. He will tell you he is “abundantly blessed” and often tells nurses “I appreciate you”

Despite all of the struggles they may be faced with, Chris and his family hold tight to the words found in Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” He has been married to his amazing wife Amy for 19 years and together they have 3 children, Owen, Olivia and Audrey.

It takes a special person to run toward a fire instead of away from one and Chris Majeski is one of those special people. He has even been called a real life superhero! He began his career as a full time deputy with Washington County in 2005. Within the county he has been a member of the dive team, a DARE officer, on the FTO team and Mobile Field Force too, but his favorite has been serving with his K9 Partner Jake for 10 years. Through his 20 years of service he has earned various awards and medals including the Medal of Valor and 3 Lifesaving Awards. Chris has always been one of those people that will answer a fire pager or a phone call in the middle of the night without hesitation. His first words for a late night/early morning call are often “No problem! Call anytime!” There is also no one in the world that he feels “above” or “too good for” He is a genuinely caring person who is always trying to encourage those around him. Thank you for supporting Chris and his family through this challenging time and please know that your support makes a meaningful difference and reminds him of the love and support that surround him throughout his cancer journey.