Wayzata Officer, A Husband And Father, Killed On Highway 12

WAYZATA, MN — Law enforcement communities from across Minnesota are mourning this weekend after one of their one was killed while on duty Friday. At about 12:30 p.m. Sept. 8, William Mathews, a 9 year veteran of the Wayzata Police Department, was outside his fully marked Wayzata squad car when he was fatally struck by another vehicle, according to authorities.

Mathews was hit while removing hazardous road debris from the roadway of eastbound Highway 12. He was transported to North Memorial, but died as a result of his injuries. Mathews leaves behind a wife and a seven-year-old son.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office said the driver of the vehicle was identified as Beth Ilene Freeman, age 54, and has been booked into jail on charges of criminal vehicular operation.

Remembering Officer William Mathews

Mathews was born on May 25, 1970. He graduated from Pine Island High School and went on to attend Rochester Community College. He graduated from Winona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement.

Prior to becoming a Licensed Peace Officer, Officer Mathews served with both the Winona Police Department as a Reserve Officer and the Rochester Police Department as an intern. He began his career as a Licensed Peace Officer in 1998 with the Zumbrota Police Department, also working part-time with the Olmstead County and Goodhue County Sheriff’s Offices.

In October 2008, Mathews began his career with the Wayzata Police Department where he was a firearms instructor, a field training officer, and a reserve coordinator.

Any witnesses to the incident are asked to contact 1-888-988-TIPS (8477).

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Image via Hennepin County Sheriff's Office