The Pope County Board of Commissioners last week passed a resolution  recognizing all the inter-agency support received from other counties, cities, and the state in the aftermath of the tragic events involving Pope County Deputy Josh Owen, who was killed in the line of duty on April 15.   

The resolution, introduced and read by Chairman Gordy Wagner, specifically recognized the agencies that performed patrol and dispatch shifts during that week in relief of our Pope County law enforcement staff.  The entire board expressed its thanks to the agencies that provided support. 

In a related matter, Commissioner Paul Gremmels said he wanted to start a conversation about a possible memorial for Deputy Josh Owen.  The board began discussion about potential county memorial, noting the action on the overpass bridge on Highway 29 at the Minnesota Senate naming it in memory of the fallen deputy.  The board also had a brief conversation on the interest in developing a plan for erecting a monument honoring Deputy Owen.  No location was determined, but Pope County Attorney Neil Nelson, who is a friend of the Owen family, said the family supports a monument idea.  There was also discussion about a possible location on the courthouse lawn near where Josh Owen’s squad was parked during the week leading up to his memorial service.  The discussion also focused on looking to form a committee in the coming weeks that would look into a possible monument and its location within the county.  

In another matter, the board received an informational item from the County Engineer regarding preliminary plans developed for the CSAH 17/South Lakeshore Drive reconstruction project.  The session was intended for the plans to be presented to the Board and to give them a chance to review the plans and pose questions as a body before the public information session that was scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Board Room.