Congressman John Kline presented a “Star of the North” award to Twin Cities resident Kristen Anderson on February 17 in recognition of her critical role in the arrest of fugitive Ty Hoffman, who has since pled guilty to the second-degree murder of Kelly Phillips. Hoffman had evaded law enforcement for a full month before Anderson’s attentive and composed 911 call on September 11, 2014.

Anderson was driving near the Southbridge Crossing Shopping Center in Shakopee when she noticed a man she believed to be Hoffman.

“I had seen surveillance of him at work, and we were on high alert for him based on several sightings in the Prior Lake and Shakopee area,” said Anderson, who is the vendor manager for the Shakopee Dakota Convenience Stores, which are owned by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. “When I saw him from my car, I quickly called 911.”

Anderson described the fugitive’s appearance and location to the 911 operator, and worked to keep Hoffman in her line of sight while he continued to move. Law enforcement officials arrived and arrested Hoffman in front of the drive-through menu at Arby’s.

Hoffman pled guilty to second-degree murder on January 23, at which time Anderson was willing to come forward publicly as the tipster.

“We are very proud to count Kristen among our 4,200 employees,” said Charlie Vig, Chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. “Her steadiness and desire to help in an emergency speak volumes about her character.”

Anderson was one of several recipients of Congressman Kline’s “Star of the North” award, which he presents to recognize the extraordinary acts of service and the random acts of kindness performed by Minnesotans in his district.