SAINT PAUL, MN - A retired Saint. Paul police officer has died 15 years after an in-line of duty attack, making her the first female officer to ever die from injuries received on the job.

According to KARE11, retired Saint Paul Police Officer Felicia Reilly died on Saturday, March 1st, 15 years after an assault on the job that left her with a traumatic brain injury. Reilly was 67-years-old when she died. Her family said that her death was a result of the injuries she sustained that resulted in her experiencing constant pain.

Matthew Reilly, Felicia's oldest son said, "It's been 15 years of a long, painful road and it's done now." He added, "Over time, the damage she received in that assault ... some of the damage was to her brain. Some of the damage was to her valgus nerve ... controls a lot of your bodily systems. Over time, things break down. She was never the same after that day."

On March 24, 2010, Reilly was attacked while responding to a domestic dispute. According to Reilly's family, Thomas Swenson kicked Reilly in the back of the head multiple times. A jury found Swenson guilty of first-degree assault, fourth-degree assault, and obstructing the legal process. He was sentenced to eight and a half years.

Matt said that his mother was an avid runner before the attack, but never ran again. He described Reilly's pain on an average day as a six or seven out of 10. He added, "They tried different therapies over the years and she'd get some relief. It was always diminishing returns all the way to the end." Reilly loved being a police officer and served 17 years with the city of Saint Paul.

She tried to return to the department after the assault and was placed on desk duty. However, her injuries forced her to medically retire in 2013. Officer Mark Ross, president of the Saint Paul Police Federation said, "This is an example of some of the long-term injuries that officers face after they leave the department ... these injuries last a lifetime."

Ross worked with Reilly early on in his career. He said, "She was courageous. She was smart. She was empathetic. All the things you'd want in a partner and a police officer. Just a real asset to the community and she was a great person to work with."

On Sunday, March 2nd, the Saint Paul Police Department released the following statement: "It's with great sadness that we share the passing of retired Saint Paul Police Officer Felicia Reilly, who passed away Saturday, March 1, 2025. Those who knew Felicia remember her as compassionate, devoted, and an inspiration to many. Felicia was a hero and she will be profoundly missed. 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.' Matthew 5:9."

Matt remembers his mom for her compassion and love of family. He said, "She loved big family meals. She loved having us up for the holidays. When I was little, she made clothes for me and my brother." CBS News reported that Ben Reilly, one of her other children said that Felicia dreamed of being a police officer her whole life.

He said, "She really loved serving the people of Saint Paul and Saint Paul was the city she loved. She wanted to be a Saint Paul cop." She joined the police academy when she was 39-years-old and already a mother of five. He said, "She used to practice with us kids climbing fences, jumping walls, handcuff takedowns. She always had a really big smile on her face."

Ben said that his mother never fully recovered from the attack. He said, "We lost our mom that day. If you ask my dad, her end of watch was March 24, 2010. She never came back home from that call." He said she did not live a normal life after that.

He added, "She was very much a family person and she was no longer able to play with her grandchildren after the injury. She had a chronic headache all the time. She had quadruple vision, double vision in both eyes. Toward the end, she started to hallucinate."

Reilly, a mom to five and wife to a retired St. Louis Park police officer, died while in home hospice care with her husband by her side. Matt said his mother lost the ability to walk in 2020 and had been bedridden since November. He said, "I would not wish that 15 years of suffering she had on anybody. But I am fortunate that I didn't have to say goodbye abruptly. I made it a point to make sure nothing was ever left unsaid and I suppose I'm grateful for that."

The City of Saint Paul will be giving Felicia a police funeral with full honors. Her visitation is set for Monday, March 10th at 9:00 a.m., with her funeral following at 11:00 a.m.