Sheriff’s Office to honor fallen deputy one year after tragic loss

The Pope County Sheriff’s Office, along with local law enforcement agencies, will be placing a wreath on the front steps of the Pope County Courthouse on April 15, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in remembrance of Deputy Josh Owen.  

The public is encourage to join them at that time or stop by throughout the day. 

“The Pope County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the continued support from our community and we are forever grateful,” it was stated last week.

April 15 will mark the one-year anniversary of the tragic loss of Pope County Deputy Josh Owen, who was killed in the line of duty.  He was fatally shot while responding to a domestic dispute in Cyrus.  Pope County Deputy Brody Merrill and Starbuck Police Officer Alex Olson were also at the scene. 

According to the BCA report a week after the incident, at about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 15 in 2023, Officer Olson responded to a domestic violence call at an apartment in Cyrus. Deputies Owen and Merrill responded after him. When they arrived, they entered the home and spoke to Bryan Nygard and a woman. After some initial investigation, they informed Nygard that he was under arrest. Nygard, who had been seated at a table, stood up, drew a firearm and began firing. Deputies Owen and Merrill returned fire. Officer Olson was in the hallway and did not fire. In the exchange of gunfire, all three officers and Nygard were struck. Nygard died at the scene.  Deputy Owen was transported to the hospital and died of his wounds. Deputy Merrill also went to the hospital where he was treated and released. Officer Olson sustained minor injuries and was not hospitalized. The woman living there had left the apartment before the shooting occurred and was not injured, it was reported at the time.