As Wayzata moves from Summer into Fall, our community pauses to reflect on a solemn anniversary. This season marks the tragic loss of two Wayzata Police officers—lives taken 35 years apart, but forever linked in service and sacrifice.
Among them, we especially remember Officer William “Bill” Mathews, who was killed in the line of duty on September 8, 2017. Mathews, a nine-year veteran of the Wayzata Police Department, was struck and killed by a distracted and impaired driver while assisting a stalled vehicle on Highway 12. He was just 47 years old.
Mathews was known not only for his professionalism but for his kindness and compassion. A husband and father, he lived out the values of community policing—greeting residents by name, mentoring youth, and ensuring that the badge he wore represented trust and safety.
His death sent shockwaves through Wayzata and across Minnesota. Thousands of law enforcement officers, civic leaders, neighbors, and friends filled St. Bartholomew Catholic Church and lined Lake Street for his funeral procession, a vivid demonstration of the gratitude and grief felt by an entire community.
The tragedy of that day has since served as a powerful reminder of the risks peace officers accept each time they step onto duty. It also underscored the importance of public awareness around impaired and distracted driving—dangers that can so swiftly take a life.
In the years since, Wayzata has honored Officer Mathews in many ways. His name is engraved on the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial, and the community continues to gather in remembrance, reflecting on his devotion to duty.
As we honor his memory this week, we also extend gratitude to the men and women of the Wayzata Police Department who daily stand as guardians of our safety. They are the keystone of our community life: the first responders to crisis, the calm presence in emergencies, and the quiet problem solvers who walk our streets.
Officer Mathews’ life and sacrifice remind us that behind every badge is a family, a neighbor, a friend—someone who has chosen to place service above self. His legacy endures in Wayzata’s ongoing commitment to support its police officers and to never forget those who gave all.