Investigation into Wayzata officer's death continues, chief remembers him as 'always smiling'
Authorities continue to reconstruct events that led to the death of a Wayzata police officer who was struck while trying to remove debris from a west metro highway.
Law enforcement officers from across the state have offered their condolences to the officer's family and the Wayzata police department.
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office said Officer William Mathews had pulled over to the side of eastbound Highway 12 about 12:30 p.m. Friday when he was struck by a vehicle.
Mathews, 47, was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
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Authorities say a 54-year-old woman from Mound is being held in the Hennepin County Jail in connection with Mathews' death.
Mathews graduated from Pine Island High School, near Rochester, and attended Rochester Community College, according to a release from the Hennepin County Sheriff's office. The release said Mathews earned a degree in law enforcement from Winona State University and worked with the Winona and Rochester police departments prior to becoming a licensed peace officer.
Mathews' first job as a licensed officer was at the Zumbrota police department. He joined the Wayzata police force in 2008. Mathews held several roles in Wayzata, including coordinating the department's reserve officers.
In a post on the Wayzata police department's Facebook page, chief Mike Risvold thanked people for their support and remembered Mathews.
"Officer Bill Mathews was the best! Always smiling - always professional. His loss is excruciatingly painful."
Mathews was married with a 7-year-old son.
Investigators say it could take weeks to finish the investigation.