Family members looked on from the gallery as the Minnesota House today honored D-N-R Conservation Officer Eugene Wynn. Lawmakers paused for a moment of silence as an honor guard entered the House Chamber. Colonel Rodmen Smith says its a sad time for conservation officers. “When we get a call of somebody that’s in need, we put that person’s benefit first and we just go. And Gene was doing what he loved. Gene — Officer Wynn — was a true community service person,” Smith says.
Officer Wynn was investigating a report of a possible body on Cross Lake in Pine City when he and a sheriff’s deputy were thrown from their boat into the water. The deputy was rescued but Officer Wynn apparently drowned. Visitation and funeral services are Friday in Pine City.