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Dep. Joshua Owen identified as officer shot and killed Saturday night

A man at a Cyrus home was declared dead at the scene and two other officers were hurt when trying to serve a warrant for a domestic assault.

CYRUS, Minn. — Numerous law enforcement agencies are naming the officer shot and killed while responding to a domestic incident in Cyrus on Saturday night. 

On Sunday afternoon the Pope County Sheriff and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) held a joint press conference to update the public after a Pope County Deputy and another man were killed and two other officers injured. 

BCA Deputy Superintendent Scott Mueller said officers were called to an apartment in the 400 block of Stromen Street in Cyrus on Saturday night. Officers from the Pope County Sheriff's office and Starbuck police were among the agencies attempting to arrest a man for domestic assault. 

Mueller said the man drew his gun and started firing when confronted by the officers inside the home. The suspect and the three officers were all struck by bullets. 

The man officers were trying to arrest was declared dead at the scene. 

Deputy Joshua Owen was identified as the officer who was rushed to Glacial Ridge Hospital in nearby Glenwood. Despite the efforts of emergency workers, he died from his wounds at the hospital. 

An officer from Starbuck was injured but not hospitalized. A deputy from the Pope County Sheriff's Office was shot and then had his injuries treated at the hospital and was released, according to an earlier press release.

According to the BCA, seven officers have been shot in Minnesota in 2023. 

Watch officials give an update at a Sunday afternoon press conference:

Pope County Sheriff T. R. Riley said that Dep. Owen had served the department for 12 years, and left behind a wife and son. In a post from the department, officials said Owen had been with the department for nearly 12 years. 

The Associated Press reports that Saturday was Owen's 44th birthday. 

POPE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE STATEMENT ON APRIL 15, 2023 INCIDENT As has been reported, Deputy Josh Owen has served the...

Posted by Pope County MN Sheriff's Office on Sunday, April 16, 2023

Family members have started a GoFundMe to raise money for the family of Deputy Owen. Find a link here

Dodge County Sheriff Scott Rose was one of many to take to social media over the weekend, posting tributes to the deputy. 

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also posted his condolences on social media, saying "My administration is in touch with local officials and stands ready to support the community."

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating at the request of the Sheriff's Office. 

According to the BCA, all officers involved in the incident were wearing body cameras at the time of the shooting. 

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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