The widow of a sheriff's deputy shot and killed in the line of duty has warned Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz that she is not welcome at his funeral because of his treatment of police officers and will “kick his ass” if he turns himself in. he threatened.
Shannon Owen told Kamala Harris' running mate that her husband, Josh Owen, an Iraq veteran and Pope County sheriff's deputy who was shot and killed in the line of duty on his 44th birthday in April 2023, was honored for his service. He said he was not welcome.
In a recording obtained by the Telegraph, she warned Mr Walz: “You have never been a supporter of the police. I would appreciate it if you would stay away from my town.”
“And he says, 'Why?' And I said, 'Because you defunded the police.' You don't even support the police, so why would I want you to come? '' said the widow, emphasizing that her husband “didn't like him at all.''
The widow then warned Waltz that if he showed up, “I'm going to get your ass out of here.”
Mr. Waltz, looking confused, replied: “I completely understand and respect your rights. Our personnel are here to support you in any way you need,” the call said before abruptly ending. said the Telegraph.
The governor did not go to the funeral.
The slain vice president's widow believes Walz is unfit to be the next vice president, claiming he is pretending to be a “nice guy” to win over voters.
“I don't like his attitude towards the police and military situation. So far I just think he's a puppet. He's not actually talking about what he really wants to do,” she told the British newspaper. told.
Josh Owens was killed on April 15, 2023, while responding to a domestic violence call. When they tried to arrest the suspect, the man pulled out a gun and fired four shots.
A 12-year National Guard veteran, he served in a two-year tour in Iraq in 2006 with a Minnesota unit. The controversial unit was one that Walz left in 2005 before his assignment.
Owens' widow said he had planned to quit the force until shortly before his death. She recalled how she and her 10-year-old son, Rylan, “just screamed” when they learned of Owens' death.
The officer was angered by law enforcement reforms enacted after the death of George Floyd, who was killed by Minneapolis police in 2020, sparking nationwide protests.
Walz, who is currently the Democratic vice presidential candidate, has made several attempts to reach out to the widow, but she feels that the new regulations her husband has placed on the police force are becoming police officers' jobs, something her husband doesn't like. Knowing this, she resisted. It's more dangerous.
One day, she finally answered his call on speakerphone, which the family recorded.
“I answered the phone. I didn't say much. I just let him ramble because that's a politician's job,” she told the Telegraph.
“I said, 'Are you planning on coming to the funeral?' He said, 'Of course I'd be happy to come.' And I said, 'You're not welcome.' And he was like, “Why is that?” And I said, “Because you defunded the police.” You don't even support the police, so why would I want you to come?
“And Josh didn’t like him at all, and I think his wish would have been to not have any corrupt politicians.
“he [Walz] I was a little blindsided about it and didn't know what to say. I just said: “I know that if you show up in my town, everyone in my hometown will kick you out because I don't want you here.”
After George Floyd's death, Walz signed a bill banning chokeholds and requiring police officers to report and intervene if a fellow officer uses excessive force.
He also established a national investigative force for police officers and a database on police misconduct. In 2023, he signed a bill to limit no-knock warrants.
Shannon said Walz “went too far” in introducing reforms after Floyd's death.
“After that, everything turned against the police and defunding the police,” she told the paper, but Walz was not supportive of the cause of “defunding the police.” .
Waltz's office did make a public statement At the time of Josh's death, he praised his deputy as a “hero.”
More than four years later, Republicans have accused Walz of being a left-wing radical who moved too slowly, while some progressives say he wasn't radical enough to address police abuses. claims.
