Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Josh Owen was shot and killed while he and another deputy attempted to arrest a man for domestic violence in the 400 block of Stromen Street in Cyrus at about 7:30 pm.
Deputies, as well as police officers from the Glenwood Police Department and Starbuck Police Department, had been dispatched to the house for reports of a domestic violence incident. The officers were attempting to place the man into custody when he opened fire on them. Deputy Owen and the subject were both fatally wounded. The other deputy and the Starbuck officer were injured.
The incident occurred on Deputy Owen's 44th birthday.
Deputy Owen was a Minnesota National Guard Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and had served with the Pope County Sheriff's Office for almost 12 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and parents. His father is a retired law enforcement officer.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-31D6DF7F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Owen gave the Pope County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Glenwood community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Josh Owen served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Josh Owen is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MN, 173 of 293 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59% of this state's fallen. That is 4.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Josh Owen's cause is highlighted.
How Josh Owen Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Josh Owen is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Josh Owen was killed by gun; unknown type.