February 27th, 2021 - Sebeka, Minnesota

Published February 27th, 2021

A Sebeka, MN police officer escaped injury as a result of wearing ballistic-resistant body armor after being shot in the torso by an assailant on Saturday evening.

At 8:48 p.m., a Wadena County deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic offense near 205th Avenue and 280th Street in North Germany Township. The vehicle eventually stopped near 205th Avenue and 270th Street. The sheriff's office said a physical struggle ensued between the deputy and the driver. A second driver then arrived at the scene and right after, a Sebeka Police Department officer arrived, and the struggle continued.

According to a Wadena County Sheriff’s spokesperson, at least one of the two people involved began shooting at the officers. One of the officers returned fire. Both officers and both assailants were struck by gunfire. The injured deputy was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The deputy has since been released from the hospital and is recovering at home, according to an update from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

The Sebeka officer was struck in the vest and did not require medical treatment.