Pope County Deputy Joshua Owen killed, another deputy and officer hurt in western Minnesota shootout
GLENWOOD, Minn. -- Just one day after two officers were laid to rest in western Wisconsin, a western Minnesota community is grieving the loss of their own deputy.
The Pope County Sheriff's Office says two of its deputies were shot Saturday evening in Cyrus, along with a Starbuck police officer. One of the deputies, 44-year-old Joshua Owen, was hospitalized with critical injuries and later died. The other deputy was treated and released, and the Starbuck officer was injured but not hospitalized.
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"Deputy Owen had a heart as big as his stature," Pope County Sheriff Tim Riley said at a press conference Sunday. "He leaves behind a wife and a son. He loved his family, his brotherhood, and his community."
Deputy Superintendent of Investigations Scott Mueller said the investigation is in its early stages. He said authorities were dispatched to an apartment building on a domestic assault call Saturday at about 7:30 p.m., and a shootout ensued. He said the suspect began shooting first, and law enforcement then returned fire. Both Owen and the suspect were killed.
Mueller said a gun was found near the suspect after the shooting, and all officers involved were wearing active body cameras. Mueller said the footage will be released "at the appropriate time."
The injured deputy and officer, as well as the suspect, have not been publicly identified.
READ MORE: Gov. Walz, officials react after 3 law enforcement officers shot in western Minnesota
Mueller said seven officers have been shot in the line of duty in Minnesota in 2023.
"This is an alarming trend that needs to stop now," he said.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is leading the investigation.