Pope County Deputy Josh Owen laid to rest Saturday morning
Pope County Deputy Josh Owen is shown with his K9, Karma. Owen was shot and killed while on duty on April 15, 2023. (Courtesy: Pope County Sheriff's Office)
The funeral for Pope County Deputy Josh Owen, 44, who was shot and killed while working a week ago, was on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
Deputy Owen, who was on duty on his 44th birthday last Saturday, died after being taken to the hospital in critical condition, said the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).
On Wednesday, the BCA released the name of the suspect and the two other officers injured in the incident. A spokesperson for the BCA said that Pope County Deputy Brody Merrill was hit once in the chest and Starbuck Officer Alex Olson was hit in the ankle.
Deputy Owen was responding to a domestic call in Cyrus around 7:30 p.m. when Bryan Nygard, the man inside the home, opened fire, killing Deputy Owen and injuring two other officers. They fired back, killing Nygard.
The Pope County Sheriff’s Office says Owen has been with the department for nearly 12 years and “had a heart as big as his stature.” He leaves behind a wife and son.
A procession for Deputy Owen was held on Monday shortly after 8:30 a.m. A long line of law enforcement vehicles could be seen in procession leaving the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office in Ramsey, Minnesota to escort the body of Deputy Josh Owen back to Pope County.
A flag was flown in honor of Deputy Owen, and community members also came to show support.