•BCA is now investigating a shooting that left one local officer dead and two other local officers injured during an arrest for domestic assault in Cyrus. 

The Pope County community was reeling and in shock last Saturday night as news quickly circulated of three local law enforcement officers shot in the line of duty.  

Two Pope County Sheriff’s deputies and one officer from Starbuck Police Department were struck by gunfire while in a Cyrus apartment building on Saturday night making an arrest for a domestic assault, according to the Pope County Sheriff’s Office.  

One of the deputies, Josh Owen, was transported to Glacial Ridge Hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries, according to the Sheriff’s Office. 

“Yesterday, April 15, Pope County law enforcement lost a brother,” said Pope County Sheriff Tim Riley, who had to pause repeatedly, holding back tears as he addressed media during a news conference on Sunday afternoon in Glenwood.  “Our sympathies and love are with Deputy Josh Owen’s family and families of the other deputies and officers involved,” Riley said. “Deputy Owen had a heart as big as his stature…he loved his family, his brotherhood and his community,” Riley added.  

At this time, the investigation is still ongoing. The Pope County Sheriff’s Office is following all necessary protocols regarding the officer-involved shooting, Riley said. “Our community partners, Glacial Ridge Hospital Staff and EMTs, all other public safety first-responders, near and far, that have assisted during this difficult time have our deepest gratitude,” 

The other deputy, who was not named by the sheriff’s office, was treated at the hospital for his injuries and later released.  The Starbuck officer, also unnamed, was injured, but not hospitalized, it was stated.

At the 1 p.m. news conference on Sunday, Riley said the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is now investigating the shootings that occurred during the domestic dispute that attracted the officers to an apartment building at 421 North Stromen Street in Cyrus at about 7:30 p.m. Saturday.  

Scott Mueller, deputy superintendent of investigations for the BCA told those at the news conference that the investigation of the incident was in its early stages, but added that all three officers had activated body cameras that will be used in the investigation and will be released to the public at some point.    He said the BCA will release the other officers’ names and further details upon conclusion of their investigation. 

According to Mueller, all three officers responded to a domestic assault call at an apartment complex in Cyrus. “When they got there, they went into the home and after some initial investigation they informed a man at the home that he was under arrest for domestic assault,” Mueller said. “The man drew a firearm and immediately began shooting at officers. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, the man and all three officers were struck.”

Lifesaving efforts were given to both Owen and the domestic violence suspect, and the latter was pronounced dead at the scene, Mueller said.  A handgun and numerous cartridge casings were found next to the suspect’s body, Mueller said at the press conference.  Mueller was asked if he knew if law enforcement had been called to that apartment on previous occasions.  He couldn’t verify that, but said that the suspect had been in Minnesota for less than one year.

Mueller finished the news conference by emphasizing that seven police officers have been shot in the line of duty in Minnesota this year.  “This is an alarming trend that needs to stop now,” he said. 

Deputy Josh Owen had just been honored at a March Glenwood City Commissioners meeting for “Distinguished Service in the Line of Duty” for his role in recognizing that other officers at the scene of a house fire were in need of medical attention.  Before the award was presented, Glenwood Police Chief Dale Danter said that both Pope County Deputy Josh Owen and EMS Director Greg Meyers observed that the officers needed immediate medical attention.  “Owen and Meyers remained calm and acted quickly and professionally despite seeing their own colleagues in distress,” Danter said.  “Meyers’ and Owen’s ability to perform under pressure resulted in establishing immediate patient care, bringing calm and control to a very stressful and rapidly evolving scene,” according to Danter.  “Undoubtedly the actions of all involved in this incident led to everyone surviving what could have easily been a tragic incident,” Danter said when he presented the award.