Former Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Laid To Rest

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Mike Seversen was laid to rest Saturday afternoon, 23 years to the day after he was shot in Webster, Wis.

Seversen was when he was was trying to stop a gunman who killed another deputy. He was 27 years old.

Seversen died Monday of medical complications at 50 years old.

A funeral, with full honors, was held early Saturday afternoon in St. Croix Falls.

Hundreds of squad cars and people came out to pay their respects.

A procession stretched 15 miles long as officers from both Wisconsin and Minnesota came to honor this sheriff deputy who left such an impact on his community.

The procession moved from Severson's alma mater, St. Croix High School, to Kost Evangelical Free Church.

"It's an incredible tribute to Mike that we just are awestruck by," Jodie Jensen, Seversen's sister, said. "It's way more than we ever imagined."

Despite his injury, Seversen remained active in the sheriff's office and continued to do outreach programs for the community.

He was also an active person, spending his time hunting and fishing.

"He always showed us the positive side. Um, he showed us that it was worth fighting, um, to never give up," Sheriff Pete Johnson said. "Mike did as much for us as we ever did for him." said.

Severson is being buried at Kost Evangelical Free Church.