Three Officers Shot, One Fatally, in Cyrus
The scene of the incident in Cyrus on Saturday, April 15, 2023. Submitted photo
The scene of the incident in Cyrus on Saturday, April 15, 2023. Submitted photo
The Pope County Sheriff’s Office says two deputies and a Starbuck police officer were shot while on a domestic call in Cyrus around 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening.
Deputy Josh Owen and K9 Karma
According to family members and additional information, one of the deputies who was shot has died of his injuries. Radio dispatches indicated that the deputy was being transported to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office in Ramsey, Minn. late Saturday night.
Dozens of law enforcement vehicles were seen in a procession eastbound on I-94 early Sunday morning, bringing the fallen deputy to the medical examiner’s office and arriving around 12:50 a.m.
Deputy Josh Owen has been identified as the officer who was killed. It was reportedly his 44th birthday on Saturday. He was brought to the hospital in critical condition but later died, authorities confirm.
Deputy Owen leaves behind a wife and son, and served the Pope County Sheriff’s Office for nearly 12 years. He also served in the military.
“Deputy Owen had a heart as big as his stature. Yesterday, Pope County law enforcement lost a brother. Our sympathies and love are with Deputy Josh Owen's family, and the families of the other Deputies and Officers involved,” a media release from the Pope County Sheriff’s Office said.
Officers responded to an address on the 400 block of North Stromen St. in the city of Cyrus on a report of a domestic incident. At some point, shots were fired and the three officers were hit by gunfire.
The suspect is confirmed to have been killed in the exchange of gunfire.
More information on the initial domestic call or what led up to the shots fired has not yet been confirmed. Pope County deputies secured a weapon at the scene and reported multiple injured, including the suspect, according to initial radio dispatches.
“There is no continuing threat to the public at this time,” the sheriff’s office said in an initial media release. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has confirmed that its agents are assisting in the investigation and that the three officers had been shot.
The identities of the two other officers involved have not yet been released. The Starbuck officer was injured but was not hospitalized and the other deputy was treated for injuries, then released from the hospital, authorities have confirmed.
Rep. Paul Anderson, of Starbuck, and Rep. Mary Franson, of Alexandria, issued a joint statement about the shooting:
"We are heartbroken about tonight's incident in Cyrus — this is a tragic reminder of the dangers that our public safety professionals face protecting our communities," the statement said. "Please join us in praying for the families of the officers, the community of Cyrus, the Starbuck Police Department, and the Pope County Sheriff's Office."
The Pope County shootings come within just a week after two officers were killed during a traffic stop in Barron County, Wis. and an officer in Granite Falls, Minn. was shot and injured while serving a warrant.
Alexandria Sen. Terry Westrom also released this statement to the media on the incident:
"I am grieved by last night's incident in Cyrus. We lift up in prayer the families, friends, and colleagues of Deputy Josh Owen who tragically lost his life and the other two law enforcement officers who were injured. Owen's legacy of service to our community will always be honored and remembered. Our law enforcement officers risk their lives for our protection every day and we must never forget the dangers they face in their job,” Sen. Westrom said.
The Pope County Sheriff's Office shared this information regarding services for Deputy Owen:
A public memorial service honoring the life of Deputy Josh Owen will be held on Saturday, April 22 at 10:30 a.m. at the Minnewaska School Gymnasium, 25122 State Highway 28, Glenwood.
Visitation for Deputy Owen will be held on Friday, April 21 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and from 9:30 a.m. until the service begins, also at the Gymnasium.