BURNETT COUNTY, Wis. — A Minnesota police sergeant was killed after his utility-terrain vehicle crashed in Wisconsin, according to reports.
U.S. News reported Tuesday that Sgt. Kurt Kowarsch of the Forest Lake Police Department was visiting his cabin Saturday night in Burnett County, Wisconsin. According to local authorities, he apparently lost control and hit multiple trees before the vehicle caught fire.
A preliminary autopsy report showed the police sergeant died before the vehicle burned.
Kowarsch, 42, served as a patrol officer, trainer, investigator and SWAT team member. He also was a firearms instructor.
“Kurt has served the City of Forest Lake for 14 years. Prior to working at Forest Lake, Kurt was employed by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Annandale Police Department,” Forest Lake Police Department said, according to BringMetheNews.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. No further information is available at this time.”
Star Tribune reported the Kowarsch family was hit by tragedy in January 2011, when their 8-month-old daughter Brooke suffered bleeding on the brain while at her day care in North Chisago Lakes Township, Minn., and later died.