Deputy Struck, Killed to be Laid to Rest Friday

MAPLEWOOD, Minn. - Reserve Deputy Mike Wilken will be laid to rest Friday after a vehicle struck and killed him last Saturday night in Maplewood.

The incident happened around 8:30 Saturday night at the intersection of Frost and White Bear Avenues. The officer was directing traffic for Fright Farm, a haunted house put on by the Ramsey County Sheriff's department.

Alexander George Juarez, 51, struck Wilken, 56, of Newport. Wilken suffered from head injuries and was taken to Regions hospital, where he died early Sunday morning.

Police say Juarez was heading north on White Bear avenue when it hit the officer. Juarez was the sole occupant in the vehicle and did not sustain any injuries. At this time, alcohol is not suspected.

Wilken will be laid to rest in a “line of duty” funeral to be held on Friday, October 30, 2009. The funeral will take place at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, MN 55115, with a law enforcement procession to follow to the cemetery.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 29 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Bradshaw Funeral Home, 4600 Greenhaven Drive, White Bear Township, MN 55127.

Wilken had been a Reserve Deputy with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office for 10 years and had volunteered at hundreds of community events. He is survived by his wife, Donna, and two grown children. Funeral arrangements are pending.

A memorial fund for Reserve Deputy Mike Wilken has been established by his family. Donations can be made to the Mike Wilken Memorial Fund, Main Street Bank, 2104 Hastings Avenue, Newport, MN.