GLENWOOD, Minn. — A western Minnesota sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed and two other law enforcement officers were injured while responding to a domestic dispute call Saturday night. The suspected shooter is dead.
Deputy Joshua Owen of the Pope County Sheriff’s Office was shot and killed while responding to a domestic dispute call in Glenwood, Minnesota. The incident occurred on Saturday night when officers from the Starbuck Police Department and the Pope County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a domestic call at a Cyrus apartment building.
Upon arrival at the scene, the officers attempted to arrest a man involved in the domestic dispute. However, the man opened fire on the officers, striking all three of them. In self-defense, the officers returned fire, fatally shooting the suspect.
Tragically, Deputy Joshua Owen, who had been with the Sheriff’s Office for 12 years, was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The other deputy and the Starbuck officer suffered noncritical injuries and are expected to recover.
Records show Owen was killed on his 44th birthday. A military veteran, he leaves behind a wife and son. The news of his untimely death has devastated the law enforcement community and the community of Glenwood.
Investigation and Identifications
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is currently investigating the shooting incident. They will be responsible for identifying the other officers involved in the incident as well as the deceased suspect.
The BCA has stated that all officers were wearing body cameras, which were activated during the incident. The footage captured by the body cameras will be reviewed as part of the investigation. However, the release of the footage will occur at a later time.
It is worth noting that seven police officers in Minnesota have been shot in the line of duty so far this year, indicating an alarming trend that needs to be addressed urgently.
The Community Mourns
The loss of Deputy Joshua Owen has deeply impacted the community of Glenwood and Pope County. On Sunday, a press conference was held by Pope County Sheriff Tim Riley, who struggled to hold back tears as he addressed the media.
Sheriff Riley expressed his sympathies and love for Deputy Owen’s family, as well as the families of the other officers involved in the incident. He praised Deputy Owen’s dedication to his community, emphasizing his big heart and commitment to his family and brotherhood.
The Pope County Courthouse in Glenwood became a somber scene on Sunday, with Deputy Owen’s squad vehicle parked in front. Local residents, including Cindy Owen (no relation to Deputy Owen), paid their respects by laying bouquets of flowers at the scene.
Cindy Owen, deeply affected by the tragedy, expressed her heartfelt condolences and respect for law enforcement officers. She acknowledged the risks they face daily and hoped that Deputy Owen’s sacrifice would bring some peace to his family.
Concerns for Law Enforcement
The killing of Deputy Joshua Owen has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of law enforcement officers. Brian Peters, the executive director of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, issued a statement expressing deep concern about the impact this incident may have on recruitment, retention, and the mental health of law enforcement and other emergency first responders.
Peters emphasized that this senseless act of violence and hate towards police officers highlights the dangers they face every day while serving and protecting their communities. He called for an end to the alarming trend of violence against law enforcement.
Previous Recognition and Future Challenges
Deputy Joshua Owen was honored just last month by the Pope County Sheriff’s Office. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award for his heroic efforts in helping to resuscitate a man who had been pulled from a house fire.
However, the tragic events of Saturday night serve as a stark reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face on a daily basis. Small towns like Glenwood are not immune to gun violence, and the incident has sent shockwaves throughout the community.
Matthew Cooley, a manager at Tom’s Market in Glenwood, expressed his grief upon hearing of Deputy Owen’s death. Having personally witnessed Deputy Owen’s calm and composed demeanor while responding to calls, Cooley described him as a non-provocative person who had a talent for calming people.
Kelly Mahoney, a pastor at Hope Community Church in Glenwood, echoed Cooley’s sentiments. Mahoney emphasized that there is often more happening in small towns than meets the eye and acknowledged the dangers that law enforcement officers face, particularly in domestic situations where emotions run high.
Recent Tragedies
The shooting of Deputy Joshua Owen comes just one week after two police officers in western Wisconsin were killed during a traffic stop. Officers Emily Breidenbach of the Chetek Police Department and Hunter Scheel of the Cameron Police Department lost their lives in the line of duty.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face daily, regardless of the size of the community they serve.
As investigations continue and the community mourns, the focus now turns toward supporting the families of Deputy Joshua Owen and the injured officers, as well as addressing the challenges faced by law enforcement in an increasingly volatile world.