Pine City, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer was killed in the line of duty on Friday.

A statement issued by the DNR Saturday afternoon says Conservation Officer Eugene Wynn and a Pine County Deputy were responding to a report of a possible body in the water in Cross Lake when they were thrown into the lake from Wynn’s boat. Rescuers were able to reach the deputy in time, but Wynn slipped below the surface before they could get to him. His body was recovered around 1:30 Saturday morning.

Col. Rodmen Smith, DNR Enforcement Division director, said, “Officer Wynn served the Enforcement Division, the DNR, and the people of Minnesota with distinction. We’re devastated by his loss and ask the people of Minnesota to keep Officer Wynn and his family in their thoughts during this difficult time.”

The Pine County Sheriff’s Department is leading the investigation into the tragic incident. The Department of Natural Resources says Wynn is the 22nd Minnesota Conservation Officer to die in the line of duty. He joined the agency in 2001 and is survived by his wife and two children.

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