The day before visitation for Officer William Mathews, his wife Shawn and seven-year-old son Wyatt have issued a statement saying, “The out-pouring of love we feel all around us has been incredible.” They say Bill Mathews “lived his life to serve as an officer” and ask for the community’s prayers in their time of heartbreak. Funeral services for Officer Mathews are Thursday morning in Plymouth with burial to follow in Wayzata.
A judge today set bail at half-a-million dollars for a Mound woman who prosecutors say was on her cell phone and under the influence of drugs when she struck and killed Officer Mathews Friday afternoon as he was clearing debris from Highway 12. 54-year-old Beth Freeman is charged with criminal vehicular homicide.