Leslie Rzeszut

On January 28, 2026, Leslie Ann Rzeszut, 65, of Inver Grove Heights, MN passed

away peacefully at home with her children daughter Tammy Stafford and son JP Tuzinski at her side.

As a young girl, Leslie had a collection of “Breyer Horses” that led her to riding lessons in Saratoga, California. Leslie was born on December 13, 1960 in Minneapolis and graduated from Edina High School in 1979. Her favorite activity was a choir concert.

After attending the University of Arizona, Leslie married Rick Tuzinski and moved to Germany where their children Tammy and JP were born. Leslie would later divorce. Tammy is married to Chris Stafford and they have a 7 year old son, Aaron. JP remained close to his Mom. Both Tammy and JP cared for her in the weeks before she died.

Leslie is the daughter of Richard (2000) and Barbara Rzeszut, 6 siblings…Mike,(Jeanette) Mary,(Rick) Cindy,(Gary) Margie,(Gene) Tom(Lisa), and Annie. There are many nieces and nephews who have lost their Aunt Leslie.

Leslie began her government career with the "Forest service" in a small office in southern Arizona. Leslie would later move back to the Twin Cities in Minnesota.

Leslie was a pioneer in the early development of ATF intelligence operations. She transferred to ATF from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota in February 1999, entering the agency as an Investigative Assistant (GS-1802-08). She attended the ATF National Academy later that year and served in that role until July 2001, when she was promoted to Intelligence Research Specialist (GS-0132-09).

For several years, Leslie was the sole intelligence professional assigned to the ATF St. Paul Field Division, a role that required exceptional initiative, judgment, and dedication. Her work laid the foundation for the division’s intelligence program prior to the expansion of intelligence staffing beginning around 2002.

Throughout her career, Leslie received numerous accolades for her outstanding contributions, including work related to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake, the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Hells Angels Motorcycle Gang casework, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, among many other significant initiatives. She retired from federal service in December 2021 after more than two decades of dedicated service.

Leslie will be deeply missed by her colleagues and all who had the privilege of working alongside her.