Polk County deputy injured by shrapnel while riding in helicopter

Updated: Aug. 9, 11:12 a.m. | Posted: Aug. 8, 12:54 p.m.

A Polk County Sheriff's deputy was injured by shrapnel Monday morning.

According to Clearwater County Chief Deputy Ryan Solee, the deputy was riding with drug investigators on a U.S. Border Patrol helicopter — responding to reported drug activity at a cabin in the woods of rural Clearwater County.

They were hovering over the cabin, Solee said, when two rounds from a high powered rifle hit the helicopter.

One struck near the aircraft's engine. The other went through the window, sending shards of plexiglass into the deputy's left arm and chest at high velocity.

As soon as the helicopter came under fire, Solee said it turned and flew back to the Fosston airport, where it made an emergency landing. The deputy was taken to the hospital and treated for his injuries.

"They were lucky," Solee said. "There was damage done to that helicopter where it could have potentially gone bad really quickly."

Officers went to the cabin after the shooting and found its owner hiding in the woods. A 71-year-old man was arrested but has not yet been charged.

Solee said his department searched the cabin Monday night and did find evidence of drug activity. He would not comment further on the nature of that activity, and wouldn't identify the deputy.

The deputy was part of the Pine to Prairie Drug Task Force. He was riding in the helicopter as an observer. Solee said he has some injuries in the arm and chest, but nothing life threatening. He has been released from the hospital.