Publisher’s Perspective

By Tim Douglass, Publisher of the Pope County Tribune

Joshua A. Owen’s name was etched in stone at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. during “National Police Week” May 12-18. This photo was taken by Beth Bohlen who was on hand for the tribute along with her husband, Josh Bohlen, a Minnesota State Patrol officer. The Bohlen’s live in Graceville, Minn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a large contingent from Pope County and the area at Washington D.C. last week to honor fallen officers during “National Police Week.”

It was estimated that more than 30,000 people gathered in Washington D.C. last week to pay tribute to the 118 officers killed in the line of duty in 2023, including eight officers from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota.

Pope County Deputy Josh Owen was one of those officers killed last year during a domestic call in Cyrus and was honored at Washington D.C.

Amid National Police Week, families and officers commemorated their sacrifice, with their names etched in the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial  (See Josh Owen’s name in the photo below taken by Beth Bohlen). Brian Peters, president of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officer Association, noted the challenging climate for law enforcement, particularly in Minnesota, where attacks on officers reached record highs in 2023.

If you were wondering why flags around the state were lowered last Wednesday, it was to honor peace officers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty.  Minnesota Governor Tim Walz ordered flags on all state buildings to be flown at half-staff until sunset (last Wednesday) as part of Peace Officers Memorial Day.  The governor said the order honored the peace officers who have given their lives to protect Minnesotans.  Walz also thanked the law enforcement officers of Minnesota for their dedication and service to communities statewide.  There are over 10,500 law enforcement officers in Minnesota.

The Pope County Tribune will have photos of the event in Washington D.C. in a coming issue and will feature a story with Shannon Owen, Josh Owen’s wife, in an upcoming issue.

Police work is difficult but necessary work and we support the efforts of all our local law enforcement officers and first responders.  It is a challenging time to be in law enforcement, but we hope all our local officers feel the support and appreciation of the community for the job they do protecting and serving all in our area.