Deputy Shot, Killed In Rural MN Identified

POPE COUNTY, MN — A Minnesota sheriff's deputy was shot and killed in rural western Minnesota while responding to a domestic dispute call on Saturday night. The suspected shooter is also dead, authorities said.

Two other law enforcement officers were struck by gunfire but survived their injuries.

The deputy killed was identified as Josh Owen, 44, who had served the Pope County Sheriff’s Office for nearly twelve years. He is survived by his wife and son.

"He loved his family, his brotherhood, and his community," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "Our sympathies and love are with Deputy Josh Owen's family, and the families of the other Deputies and Officers involved."

The sheriff's office asked the public to respect the privacy of Owen’s family and others involved.

Just before 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, officers from the Glenwood and Starbuck Police Departments and the Pope County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a residential address in Cyrus on a domestic call.

During the arrest, a man at the home exchanged gunfire with the officers. One Starbuck officer and two county deputies were struck by gunfire.

The Starbuck officer was injured but was not hospitalized, and one of the deputies was hospitalized but later released.

Owen arrived at Glacial Ridge Hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries.

At this time, the investigation is still ongoing but there is not threat to the public, authorities said.