Funeral Services Held for Deputy Josh Owen; Family Asks Governor Walz Not To Attend

GLENWOOD, MN (KDLM) – Thousands of people traveled to Glenwood to pay respect to Deputy Josh Owen on Saturday morning.

One by one, fellow law enforcement filed into the Minnewaska high school gymnasium to say farewell to Owen. A flag was draped over the 44-year-old’s casket, while his wife Shannon and son Rylan stood nearby.

Deputy Owen was killed on the evening of April 15th while responding to a domestic disturbance in nearby Cyrus.

“Losing Josh will never go away ever,” said Owen’s cousin Josh Palmateer. “The cameras and media will pack up. And many people will go back to their daily lives. But for me and Ryland this new reality will never end. There will forever be a hole in our family that Josh’s presence and light-filled.”

Deputy Owen’s family said the outpouring of love will be remembered forever. Following the procession, there was a private burial for Deputy Owen.

Governor Tim Walz was not in attendance on Saturday, at the request of the family. Walz called Shannon Owens to offer his condolences early last week, and she told him not to attend because she didn’t believe he fully supported law enforcement.

The governor drew criticism from law enforcement support groups and family members began to ask why flags were not lowered to half-staff by Monday in honor of Deputy Owen. They called and emailed the governor’s office making the request. Finally, by Tuesday afternoon, Walz responded. At the time, his office ordered flags at state buildings to be lowered from sunrise to sunset on Saturday when the fallen deputy will be laid to rest. 

However, by Wednesday morning the governor’s office ordered all Minnesota flags at half-staff “immediately” until sunset on Saturday in honor and remembrance of Deputy Owen.