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Grand Rapids, MN (KROC AM News) - A traffic crash Monday morning in northern Minnesota claimed the life of a Department of Natural Resources officer.

The State Patrol says a pickup truck driven by the DNR officer was on a rural road near Grand Rapids around 8:30 am when a semi-truck “made contact with driver's door of the Chevrolet in the intersection, causing fatal injuries to the driver of the pickup.”

The DNR officer was identified as 39-year-old Sarah Grell who was stationed in Grand Rapids and lived in Cohasset. The driver of the truck was 42-year-old Milo Polovina of Grand Rapids. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The DNR says Grell leaves behind a husband and three children.

She served as a conservation officer since 2005 and “was part of a proud family legacy – her uncle, father and grandfather also worked as conservation officers. Her husband Gene works for DNR’s Forestry Division and her mother worked for DNR Fisheries until her retirement.”

“The sense of loss we feel right now is indescribable,” DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said. “We are heartbroken for her family. Our deepest sympathies and concerns are with them. Officer Grell leaves behind an incredible legacy of service to Minnesota’s people and natural resources.”

Officer Grell was the epitome of a public servant and served the Enforcement Division, the DNR, and the people of Minnesota with distinction,” said Col. Rodmen Smith, DNR Enforcement Division director. “Her loss is devastating, and we ask the people of Minnesota to keep Officer Grell and her family in their thoughts during this difficult time.”

 

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