Pope County (Minnesota) Sheriff's Deputy Josh Owen was shot and killed responding to a domestic in 2023. His watch ended on his 44th birthday.Pope County SO
The widow of a sheriff’s deputy who was shot and killed in the line of duty in 2023 warned Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz he was not welcome at the funeral because of his treatment of law enforcement officers and threatened to kick his “ass out” if he dared to show up.
Shannon Owen told Kamala Harris’ running mate that he was not welcome at the services for her husband, Josh Owen, an Iraq veteran and Pope County sheriff’s deputy who was shot and killed while working on his 44th birthday in April 2023.
“You have never been a supporter of the police and I’d just appreciate it if you just don’t come anywhere near my town,” she warned Walz in a recording obtained by the Telegraph.
The widow warned Walz that if he did show up, she would “make sure that I escort your ass out of here.”
Sounding flustered, Walz responded, “I totally understand and respect your rights. Our officers are here to support you in any way you need,” before the call abruptly ended, the Telegraph noted.
The governor did not attend the funeral.
Josh Owen was killed while responding to a domestic violence call on April 15, 2023. As he tried to arrest the suspect, the man drew a gun and shot him four times, the New York Post reports.
Shannon Owen says her husband was planning to quit the force at the time he was killed.
Deputy was reportedly upset with law enforcement reforms put in place after the death of George Floyd—including a ban on “chokeholds”—and he felt they made the job more difficult and more dangerous.
