In a heartfelt tribute to the late Officer William Mathews, the Wayzata Police Department has received a generous donation of two electric bikes from Renewal by Andersen of the Twin Cities, facilitated by the Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition.
Officer Mathews, 47, lost his life in the line of duty in 2017 while responding to a 911 call about debris on Highway 12. Having served the Wayzata Police Department for nine years and various other communities prior, his memory continues to resonate within the community.
Renewal by Andersen, inspired by Officer Mathews’ legacy, reached out to his widow, Shawn Mathews, and subsequently approached the police department to inquire about their needs. In an effort to honor Officer Mathews, the company decided to contribute two electric bikes, valued at $5,800, to aid the department in patrol and community outreach initiatives.
The WPD accepted the bikes on Thursday, June 13, at Klapprich Park, at a gathering preceding the annual Wayzata Fire vs. Wayzata Police charity softball game. The bikes were officially presented to the Wayzata Police Department, with Wayzata Chief of Police Mike Risvold expressing gratitude for the donation.
“We are grateful for Renewal by Andersen’s donation to the Crime Prevention Coalition, which will help the department better serve our community – what a fine way to honor Officer Mathews’ memory,” Chief Risvold stated.
Tim Ruff, manager of Renewal by Andersen of the Twin Cities, emphasized the company’s commitment to making a positive impact in the community. “When we met Shawn, we were touched by her story, and we knew we wanted to take action to honor her late husband’s memory,” said Ruff. “It’s important to us to try to make a difference in our community.”
The electric bikes will play a vital role in enhancing the Wayzata Police Department’s ability to carry out their duties, ensuring a lasting tribute to Officer William Mathews’ dedicated service to the community.
