Minnesota Conservation Officer Dies After Suffering Medical Emergency

RED LAKE, Minnesota -- A tribal conservation officer with the Red Lake Department of Public Safety died late Sunday night after suffering a medical emergency while responding to a call.

Conservation Officer Shannon "Opie" Barron responded to a call of service near the end of his shift north of Red Lake just off of Highway 89 involving an incident where there was suspected illegal harvesting when he requested EMS to his location after he feel ill, according to a news release.

Officers on scene immediately performed live saving measures until Barron was transported to the Red Lake Indian Health Service Hospital where they continued efforts to revive him but were unsuccessful.

His body will be transported to the Ramsey County Coroner’s office to determine his cause of death and was escorted to the Coroner’s office by Red Lake officers who were joined by a number of law enforcement agencies from the area during his transport.

"Even to the last moment, Officer Barron gave his life in protecting the resources belonging to the people of Red Lake Nation," a statement from the Red Lake Police Department reads. "There are countless stories where Opie would show up out of the blue to back up officers regardless on the type of call they faced even though not called upon.

"He was a staunch defender when it came to protecting the natural resources of the nation and constantly stood side by side with the officers in the department regardless of the type of call it was. In addition, he was also gravely concerned about his younger fellow officers when it came to officer safety and was always one of the first to point out his officer safety concerns and often offered advice on how they could improve their response in protecting themselves and/or handling a situation."

Barron began his career with the Red Lake Department of Public Safety in March of 2000 as a Conservation Officer. He graduated from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Indian Police Academy) in Artesia, New Mexico and served in the Red Lake Department of Public Safety as a Conservation Officer for 19 years and will always be remembered in his legacy.

The 48-year-old officer leaves behind his wife, two children, an aunt who raised him and numerous relatives.

Funeral arrangements are pending.