Local Agencies Honor Plymouth Man Who Died in Line of Duty

Law enforcement agencies are honoring fallen heroes during National Police Week.

In Wayzata, Law enforcement agencies gathered for the unveiling of a new memorial. The memorial remembers two Wayzata police officers who died in the line of duty. One of the fallen was officer Bill Mathews, who lived in Plymouth, and was struck and killed by a distracted driver in 2017.

“We’re not here to mourn, we’re here to celebrate the professionalism and compassion and dedication that our officers display,” said Wayzata Free Church Pastor Kevin Meyer.

History of Memorial

Two years ago, the Wayzata City Council appointed a group of community members to develop and design a Wayzata Police Memorial. The memorial would honor officers who died in the line of duty. The council approved $75, 000 in funding in September 2017. Tragically, only three days after approving the funding, the city would have another officer’s name to add to the memorial.

An impaired and distracted driver hit and killed Bill Mathews in 2017. Mathews served with Wayzata Police and lived in Plymouth. He was picking up debris off U.S. Highway 12 when the driver hit him.

The memorial also remembers Sgt. James Anderson. He was shot and killed in the line of duty in 1982.

“It’s also a symbol for our future law enforcement officers that they’re going to have to carry on that work and that dangerous mission that they have,” said Maple Grove Police Chief Eric Werner. Werner is one of many local officers who attended the memorial service.

Maple Grove | Plymouth