Publisher’s Perspective

By Tim Douglass, Publisher of the Pope County Tribune

Tragedy struck and the community spent this past week dealing with the grief of a tragic and senseless shooting that took  a beloved Pope County Deputy from his family, his colleagues and from this community.

Why does it take a tragedy like the one this community experienced for all of us to come together, support each other and support those who serve us in law enforcement?

Over the week all of us became a bit more neighborly, waving at each other and taking the time to ask about each other.  Our small-town world changed.

Then, the support for local law enforcement and for Josh Owen and his family became more and more apparent as the week went on.  Signs supporting law enforcement or remembering Josh Owen popped up.  Flags featuring the “blue line” were displayed along with American flags.  Blue lights were illuminated at night all over the county.  Tragedy led to positive change.

The community’s actions this week helped our local police officers get through what must have been a devastating and overwhelming week before they were able to commemorate Josh at a funeral service that attracted about 4,500, according to Howie Padilla of the Minnesota LEMA, who helped organize the services.

The vast majority of those at that service were in law enforcement agency uniforms.  They stood at attention after the ceremony inside had moved outside where a military salute was fired, followed by Taps.

Then, the family and hundreds of law enforcement vehicles drove through Glenwood where  many more people lined Minnesota Avenue, some  waving flags and signs, but all showing support for Josh, his family and law enforcement on a cold, but sunny April day.

It was inspiring.

This week and that day was about support, about community and about remembering that our own police officers and deputies  put their lives on the line day after day, night after night, to protect us.  Until something like this happens, we all just expect them to be there for us.  And we expect them to go home after a shift.  That is something none of us should ever take for granted again.

Let’s  continue the support for local officers into the future.  They need our support and we need their protection and that became crystal clear over this past week.

We also owe them a huge “Thank You” for what they do each day to serve and protect our community in a world that continues to be more dangerous.