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Woodbury swears in new police officer, honors three public safety members for bridge rescue
Summary
At its July 8 meeting the Woodbury City Council swore in new officer Matthew Byrd and accepted a commendation letter from Oak Park Heights Chief Steve Hansen recognizing three Woodbury public safety members for a May 21 St. Croix Crossing rescue. Families participated in the badge pinning.
The Woodbury City Council opened its July 8 meeting with a swearing‑in and badge pinning for newly hired police officer Matthew Byrd.
Public safety leadership described Byrd’s background, including prior work as a paramedic with Hennepin EMS, service as an airborne infantryman in the U.S. Army with four deployments, and his time as a Woodbury police cadet since July 2024. During the ceremony Byrd repeated the oath of office and family members assisted with the badge pinning.
Oak Park Heights Chief of Police Steve Hansen then read a letter of appreciation recognizing three Woodbury public safety personnel — Detective Kim Richardson, Detective Caitlin Jarwowski and CSO Stephanie Sosa — for roles in negotiating a suicidal individual off the St. Croix Crossing bridge on May 21. Hansen said the responders used de‑escalation skills and interagency coordination to bring the person to safety and that their actions directly saved a life.
The mayor and council members thanked the officers and invited the audience to join the family photo opportunity following the pinning. No council action was required for the ceremonial items.
