Widow of slain deputy tells Democrat governor not to attend funeral: 'He does not support law enforcement'

The grieving widow of a slain deputy in Minnesota has already asked her state's Democrat governor not to attend her husband's funeral.

Last Saturday, Deputy Josh Owen of the Pope County Sheriff’s Office and some of his colleagues responded to a call about a possible domestic assault in Cyrus, Minnesota, a small town in a rural area of the state about two and a half hours west of Minneapolis. At some point during their investigation into the assault, a suspect open fire, striking three members of law enforcement. Deputy Brody Merrill was struck in the upper chest, but thankfully, his vest absorbed much of the impact. Starbuck Police Officer Alex Olson was struck in the ankle. Both men are expected to make full recovery.

Unfortunately, Deputy Owen was struck three times and died from his injuries at a hospital late Saturday night, which also happened to be his 44th birthday. Owen is survived by his wife, Sharon, and their 10-year-old son, Ryland.

Sharon Owen has spoken publicly about her broken heart and expressed gratitude to the public, which has offered her family tremendous support since Josh's untimely death. "I want to start by thanking everyone who has come out and supported Ryland and me over the past few days," Sharon Owen said in a statement read by Josh's cousin Josh Palmateer. "I've never received this much support for anything. This community is helping me in the moments where, very simply, I don't know what to do."

While Sharon Owen has welcomed the love and prayers of her local community, she has distanced herself from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D). When Walz called her to express his condolences, Sharon asked him not to attend her husband's funeral, which will be held at an area high school this Saturday. She later confirmed to Alpha News that her request was politically motivated. "He does not support law enforcement," she told the outlet.

Walz's actions as governor since learning about Deputy Owen's death may have fueled Sharon's resentment. By Monday, two days after the shooting, many members of law enforcement and their families were shocked that Walz had not called for flags at state buildings to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Deputy Owen, especially since Walz immediately called for the lowering of flags to honor the victims of the shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville just weeks earlier.

"I am absolutely disgusted," said one officer's wife.

After receiving several calls about honoring Deputy Owen, Walz stated on Tuesday that flags at state buildings would be lowered from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, the day of Owen's funeral. But by Wednesday morning, Walz had changed his mind again. At that point, he determined that flags would be lowered immediately and kept at half-mast until sunset on Saturday. He invited private businesses and residents of good will to lower their flags as well.

"Deputy Owen was a dedicated law enforcement officer and a veteran of the Minnesota National Guard who was respected by his family, friends and colleagues," said Gov. Walz in a statement issued on an unknown date. "With its deepest gratitude, the State of Minnesota recognizes Deputy Josh Owen for his dedicated service to, and sacrifice for, his fellow Minnesotans, and our prayers are with his family, friends, and community."

"Pray for the safety of our deputies and police," Sharon Owen reminded the community. "Continue to share Josh's story with each other. Share his legacy. In this way, we can help his spirit last forever."

During the incident which took the life of Sharon's husband, the ambushed deputies managed to return gunfire against their assailant, later identified as 34-year-old Bryan Nygard. Nygard was pronounced dead at the scene.

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