Southern Minnesota Patrol Sergeant Dies Suddenly While On Vacation
Sad news is coming out of the Rice County Sheriff's Office tonight, as Sheriff Dunn made the announcement that a Sergeant with the Sheriff's Office unexpectedly died while on vacation.
The post to the Rice County Sheriff's Office Facebook page was made in conjunction with the release of the obituary for Justin Timothy Hunt of Faribault.
The post from Sheriff Troy Dunn reads:
It is with a heavy heart that I share our brother Sergeant Justin Timothy Hunt, 40 yoa, passed away in his sleep while on vacation with his wife in Wisconsin. Justin has been with the Rice County Sheriff’s Office for 4 ½ years. He has also served with the Faribault Police Department, Lonsdale Police Department as well as a Correctional Officer with the RCSO with nearly 20 years of service. He served on the South Metro and SCDIU Swat teams and has played a significant role in public safety in Rice County and around the region for many years. He will be sorely missed.
Hunt according to his obituary attended Faribault Senior High School and graduated with the class of 1999. After high school graduation Hunt attended Alexandria Technical College and earned his degree in Law Enforcement. While in college he worked as a Jailer at Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
When he moved back to Faribault, he worked part-time as a Police Officer in Lonsdale, MN, and also as a Jailer at Rice County Sheriff’s Office. In 2004, Justin accepted a full-time position with the Faribault Police Department and served until 2017 when he accepted a position as Deputy Sheriff with the Rice County Sheriff’s Office where he was currently serving as a Patrol Sergeant.
While serving in Law Enforcement, Justin was involved with SCDIU SWAT Team, the Rice County Emergency Response Unit as the Team Commander, and the Dakota County Multi-Agency Assistance Group (DCMAAG). Justin was instrumental in the development of this regional team that served Rice and Dakota Counties. Justin served as a Team Leader on DCMAAG, which was later renamed as South Metro SWAT Team.
Hunt leaves behind a wife and two daughters along with many family and friends.
Services for Hunt will be held on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault, with visitation happening on Tuesday night at Devine Mercy from 3-8pm.
LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades