On the recordApril 18, 2023
Mr. Speaker, over the weekend, while responding to a domestic violence call, Deputy Sheriff Josh Owen of Pope County was tragically shot and killed. It was his 44th birthday. Deputy Owen spent nearly 12 years with the sheriff's office and recently received a Distinguished Service Award. He was also a military veteran, serving with the Minnesota National Guard and deploying to Iraq for 22 months. He leaves behind a wife and son. This is a devastating, heartbreaking reminder that our men and women in law enforcement put their communities above all else every single day. We are praying for Josh's family and for the Pope County community as they mourn the loss of a local hero. I ask now that we have a moment of silence in honor of Pope County Deputy Sheriff Josh Owen. ____________________
