Police Officer Josh Lynaugh's Funeral Will Cause Road Closures Near Government Center

St. Paul Police Officer Josh Lynaugh will be laid to rest Friday in Stillwater.

Lynaugh’s funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the St. Paul Cathedral, with interment following at Lakeview Cemetery.

Lynaugh, a Stillwater native, graduated from Stillwater Area High School in 2001. He played football and baseball for the Ponies. He was also an Explorer with the Stillwater Police Department and got his start in law enforcement at Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater.

Lynaugh’s funeral procession on Friday will cause some road closures and delays in the area, Washington County Chief Deputy Daniel Starry said, possibly affecting Washington County employees, customers and clients arriving to and leaving from the Government Center.

The procession will cause Osgood Avenue North to be closed from 62nd Street North to 65th Street North from about 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The procession will also cause delays along eastbound Highway 36 and northbound Osgood south of 62nd Street North during that time frame.

If you use Osgood to get to the Government Center, the best way to arrive and leave the Government Center during that time frame is using roads east of the Government Center and the Beach Road exit off of Hwy 36, Starry said.

Osgood Avenue North from Highway 36 to 62nd Street North will remain open except during the procession times—that can be lengthy, Starry said. Numerous deputies will be in the area directing traffic.

Lynaugh and his partner noticed a suspicious person on Feb. 8 while patrolling in the 1100 block of Edgerton Street in St. Paul. When the officers turned their squad around, a teen fled on foot.

Lynaugh reportedly gave chase to the suspect, who was eventually caught and cited for fleeing police and a curfew violation.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Lynaugh became ill following the pursuit. The 30-year-old police officer was transported to a Regions Hospital where he it was discovered he was suffering a medical condition with his heart that required immediate surgery.

Lynaugh underwent the surgery, but died from complications eight days later.

Lynaugh graduated from the St. Paul Police Academy in 2007, received the department’s Life Saving Award twice and had 16 commendations and letters of appreciation in his personnel file.

Lynaugh is survived by his parents, Tim and Lori; brother, Brian; sister, Melissa; grandparents, Marjorie Lallas, Arlene (Bruce) Depew; aunts, uncles, cousins; and St. Paul Police Department family. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Philip Lynaugh.

Flags are flying at half-staff. Employees of the St. Paul Police Department and Ramsey County Sheriff's Office are wearing mourning badges.