Its with heavy hearts that C.O.P.S. shares the news that a very close friend and supporter of C.O.P.S., Polk County Sheriffs Deputy Mike Severson, died yesterday. Below is a news article from the Minnesota Police News Connection that tells Mikes story: Today, we say goodbye to a true warrior. In April of 1991, Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Severson was called to assist the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office in a search for an armed gunman. Robert Reineccius, 25, was wanted in connection with the shooting of a man in Branch, Minnesota the previous day. When Reineccius was spotted by deputies carrying a gun in a residential area near an elementary school in Webster, Wisconsin, deputies ordered him to drop his weapon. Reineccius opened fire on the deputies, killing Burnett County Deputy Alan Albee and critically wounding Deputy Severson who had confronted Reineccius face to face. From that day forward, Deputy Severson battled death from his wheelchair, as he was rendered a quadriplegic. Deputy Severson continued to dedicate his life to public service, making many public speaking appearances where he spoke of his battle, and how “Attitude is Everything” was so very true to his moving forward in life. Many of the men and women who now serve with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were only children when Deputy Severson was wounded. They, however, never forgot Deputy Severson’s sacrifice and have always made sure that Deputy Severson was still part of their family. They would have holiday gatherings with Deputy Severson and always included him in the solemn task of attending funerals for officers who were killed in the line of duty. Many officers from this region may have seen Deputy Severson at these funerals. Although Deputy Severson was wheelchair bound, he would still get dressed up in his Class-A uniform, proudly displaying Polk County Sheriff’s Office badge #905, with his department’s patch graphic proudly displayed on his chair. He was always escorted by his fellow Polk County deputies who made sure Mike was taken care of. Sadly, this afternoon, after a 23 year battle, Deputy Severson succumbed to complications related to the shooting in 1991. Today is the final call for Polk County #905…. May you rest in peace, sir…. ~Shemp By: Minnesota Police News Connection
Posted on: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 13:22:31 +0000
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