Nov 27, 2007 11:00 pm US/Central
MN Man Killed Working As Contractor In Iraq
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ―
During a recent visit back from Iraq were he worked as a security contractor, Bill Juneau gave the Chisago County Sheriff's Department a U.S. flag that had flown over Camp Fallujah.
The flag had been kept in a box in Sheriff Todd Rivard's office, but Rivard on Tuesday said that would change after news that his former deputy had died from injuries he suffered when his military convoy was attacked in Iraq.
"Now that he's gone, I think we'll fly the flag in the office here," Rivard said. "He was a good man and a good cop. He'll be missed by all."
Juneau, 36, died Monday at the 86th Combat Support Hospital after his convoy was hit the same day by a roadside bomb about 50 miles outside Baghdad, according to his employer, DynCorp International of Falls Church, Va.
Juneau, of Rush City, had worked for DynCorp since June 2006, helping train Iraqi police officers. Before joining the company, Juneau had a 10-year law enforcement career in the state, including four years with Chisago County, which is northeast of the Twin Cities, where he helped the agency start a SWAT team.
Rivard said both the money and Juneau's sense of adventure likely led him to contractor work in Iraq.
"It was just in his blood. He wanted to go over there and see what it was all about," Rivard said.
Juneau maintained a Web journal where he posted photos and wrote about his experiences, Rivard said. On Tuesday, his photos and writings were still posted at http://web.mac.com/billjuneau/Juneaus--World/Welcome.html.
Juneau previously worked for the St. James Police Department and then as a deputy and investigator for the Pine County Sheriff's Department.
"He started out as a road deputy, but with his work ethic and everything he was promoted to investigator," said Steve Ovick, chief deputy for the Pine County Sheriff's Department.
Ovick said he followed Juneau's career and last saw him at a local fire department picnic, proudly riding his motorcycle. Juneau also enjoyed hunting with his father in northern Minnesota, Ovick said.
"Bill liked to move around. I think he looked at this as an opportunity to serve his country and train Iraqi police officers," Ovick said.
DynCorp said Juneau was assigned to the Civilian Police Advisory Training Team, a part of the U.S.-led effort to train and equip the 135,000-member Iraqi police service. DynCorp has a contract with the State Department to prepare and support 700 trainers for the effort.
"He was performing a vital service for our country and for the Iraqi people under very difficult circumstances, and we remain honored to have had him serve with us," said Herbert J. Lanese, DynCorp's president and chief executive officer.
Ovick, whose son served three tours in Iraq, said he kept Juneau in his thoughts when his former colleague started work with DynCorp.
"You always have that in the back of your mind," Ovick said of Juneau's death. "The law enforcement family is pretty tight, and when you lose one of your own, it's a sad day."
Juneau is survived by two siblings, including a sister in Ham Lake, and his father, Mark Juneau of Duluth, Rivard said.
He is the 65th person with strong Minnesota ties to die in connection with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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