On Saturday, a Pope County Sheriff’s Deputy and a domestic assault suspect both died while responding to a complaint. During the incident, two additional police officers were also shot.
According to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the deputy was one of three law enforcement officials that responded to a domestic assault report in the 400 block of Stromen Street in Cyrus, Minnesota at approximately 7:30 p.m.
According to the BCA, police officers entered the residence and advised a man that he would be detained after they left. At that point, the guy pulled out a gun and opened fire on the police. The man was shot back by police and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Medical Examiner will reveal his identify at a later date.
Both a Starbuck police officer and a deputy from Pope County were hurt, but only the former required hospitalization. Joshua Owen, the third victim, was taken to a local hospital where he later passed away. The BCA will announce the identities of the remaining two officers at a later date.
The BCA also claims that all three officers were outfitted with body cameras and that their recordings will be made public at a later date.
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Procession Escorts Deputy to the Medical Examiner
The Pope County deputy’s body was taken to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office by a procession of law enforcement personnel in the hours following the deputy’s death.
Just before 1 a.m., the I-94 corridor was lined with at least two dozen police enforcement cars. Traveling across Minnesota, the group eventually arrived at the Midwest Medical Examiner in Ramsey.
Condolences and Tributes
The BCA announced at a press conference on Sunday afternoon that Deputy Owens had served with the sheriff’s department for 12 years. Since Saturday night, many law enforcement agencies have rushed to social media to express their condolences and support for Pope County in the wake of Deputy Owens’ death.
A statement was issued by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, which reads in part: God bless Deputy Owen and the other injured and responding cops, the local departments, and all law enforcement personnel who risk their lives every day to keep us safe.
In a statement, the MPPOA said, “The loss of Deputy Owen has devastated our entire law enforcement family and our hearts go out to his and the other officers’ families.”
This murder was an unnecessary act of violence and hatred against police officers who risk their lives to keep us safe. A ‘typical’ day on the job for a police officer can quickly become their last, as this reveals.
The effects on police enforcement and other emergency workers’ mental health and ability to do their jobs will be alarming. On Sunday, Governor Walz tweeted his thoughts on the murder.
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