On the recordSeptember 13, 2017
Minnesota and the entire Wayzata community are grieving after the death of Police Officer William Mathews this past Friday. He was responding to a 911 call to collect hazardous debris along the highway when he was tragically struck by a car and killed. Officer Mathews was well-known for his service in the Wayzata and the Long Lake community where children often would come out to greet him as he drove through their neighborhood to say hello while he was on patrol. He served on police forces throughout the State of Minnesota for two decades in various capacities and was a 9-year veteran of the Wayzata police force. He had been a firearms instructor, a field training officer, and a reserve coordinator, and was in every way a true public servant. But as dedicated a police officer as Officer Mathews was, he was an even more devoted husband and father. We mourn with his wife, Shawn, and 7-year-old son, Wyatt. Mr. Speaker, our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every single day in more ways than we can imagine to keep us safe. Officer Mathews lost his life in service to his community, and he will not be forgotten. ____________________
