Saint Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty today ordered that all U.S. and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at the Capitol Complex, including state buildings, monuments and grounds in proximity to and including the Minnesota State Capitol, from sunrise until sunset, on Monday, May 23, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Officer Peter Jay Resch.  Officer Resch died of a heart attack on Thursday, May 19, 2005, after a struggle with a suspect while responding to a domestic disturbance call in Wadena.

The funeral service for Officer Resch will be held today at the Wadena-Deer Creek High School Gymnasium in Wadena.

The following is the text of the Governor's official proclamation:

Whereas:          Officer Peter Jay Resch was born on January 9, 1958, to Thomas and Bonnie (Witthuhn) Resch at the Wesley Hospital in Wadena, Minnesota; and

Whereas:          Officer Peter Jay Resch grew up in Wadena and graduated from Wadena High School; and

Whereas:          Officer Peter Jay Resch married Donna Mae Zutter at St. John Lutheran Church in Wadena on October 25, 1985. They have three children, Sarah, Justin and Genna; and

Whereas:          Officer Peter Jay Resch has been an officer with the Wadena Police Department since 1990; and

Whereas:          Officer Peter Jay Resch became Wadena's first DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer in 1991. Since then, 16,780 students from area schools have graduated from the program; and

Whereas:          Officer Peter Jay Resch collapsed and died of a heart attack on Thursday, May 19, 2005, after a struggle with a suspect while responding to a domestic disturbance call in Wadena; and

Whereas:          Officer Peter Jay Resch was an active member of the community and enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, antiques, and horses; and

Whereas:          Officer Peter Jay Resch is survived by wife, Donna; daughters, Sarah (Cory) Petit and Genna Resch; sons, Justin (Nina) Resch and Shane Skarka; mother, Bonnie (Jesse) Marcyes; grandmother, Hazel Witthuhn; grandchildren, Summer and Dylan; brothers, Steve Resch, Greg Resch, and Jim Resch; uncles, Bob Resch and Phil Resch; and by many other family members and friends; and

Whereas:          The funeral service for Officer Peter Jay Resch will be held Monday, May 23, 2005, at the Wadena-Deer Creek High School Gymnasium in Wadena; and

Whereas:          The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Officer Peter Jay Resch for his dedicated service to the people of Wadena and our state and wants the family to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Now, Therefore, I, Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby order all U.S. and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at the Capitol Complex, including state buildings, monuments and grounds in proximity to and including the Minnesota State Capitol from sunrise, until sunset, on Monday, May 23, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Officer Peter Jay Resch.