Benson police officers honored by council
Benson’s Police Officers were honored Monday night by the city council for their service. From left are Officer Luke Seafolk, Officer Paul Larson, Mayor Jack Evenson, Police Chief Ian Hodge, Sgt. Scott Girard, and Officer Noah Marrs. Unable to make the presentation were Officers Paula Wilson and Brennden DeHaan.
At Monday night’s Benson City Council, Mayor Jack Evenson set aside the start of the meeting to honor members of the city’s police force.
While Peace Officers Memorial Day isn’t officially observed until May 15, Evenson pointed out that April 15 has special significance to the law enforcement officers of the area.
It was April 15, 2023, that Pope County Deputy Josh Owen was shot and killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic call in Cyrus. He was killed on his 44th birthday.
Owen served as a Swift County deputy sheriff before working for Pope County. Even after he started with Pope County, he continued to work a few more years as a part-time deputy for Swift County.
“Today was the day of his last call to duty,” Evenson said. “Some of us are reminded every day of what they go through…” he said of law enforcement officers and how dangerous the job can be.
Rather than wait until May, I though it appropriate that we recognize our officers today being it is kind of a significant day for a lot of you guys,” Evenson said. He presented each of the offices with a challenge coin in observance of their service. A challenge coin is a small medallion often showing an organization’s insignia.
“It is a ‘thank you’ challenge and we want to thank you on behalf of the mayor, the council, city staff, and all the residents of Benson,” Evenson said. “We appreciate all you guys do and you don’t hear it enough.”
Owen served in the Army National Guard and deployed overseas twice to Bosnia and Iraq. He left behind a wife and son.
