The City of Pine City has declared April 26, 2019, as Conservation Officer Eugene Wynn Memorial Day.
CO Wynn lost his life in the line of duty while responding to a call of a possible body in the water on Cross Lake, near Pine City.
In the proclamation, the City said that they wish to recognize for his "dedication, sacrifice, and service to the community made by Conservation Officer Eugene Wynn."
Wynn, who lived in Pine City, served with the Department of Natural Resources for 18 years.
Following his death, there was an outpouring of praise and support from the people Wynn worked with as a conservation officer.
The Pine County Attorney's Office wrote, "The county attorney’s office had the privilege of working with Gene on many cases. He was always professional, his work was excellent, and he was well-liked and respected by everyone in our office. Whenever he testified in our cases, the prosecutors always had the same comment afterward: 'Gene was awesome.'"
Wynn was known for his willingness to assist where ever he could.
"At a funeral, and when you're memorializing people, you always seem to hear the good things. In this case, it's not overblown. It truly was who Eugene was... whatever needed to be done, he would help out," said Pine County Sheriff Jeff Nelson.
Along with Pine City's proclamation, Gov. Tim Walz has ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, April 26, in honor and remembrance of CO Wynn.
Photo courtesy of the MN DNR.