A horse-drawn caisson carrying Wayzata officer William Mathews to his final resting place Thursday will skim the northern shore of Lake Minnetonka along a route of 3-plus miles, where hundreds of law enforcement officers from around the country will lead the way in the first of two processions.
After Wednesday's visitation, plans are in place for the funeral and burial for Mathews, who was run over and killed while clearing debris Friday from Hwy. 12. His funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at the church.
The state Department of Public Safety (DPS) said in a statement that "thousands of law enforcement officers from across the state, region and nation are expected to join family and friends" for the funeral.
Given the limited seating in the church, the DPS is encouraging the public to consider paying respects at the visitation or the procession route between the church and Summit Park Cemetery, 482-498 Wayzata Blvd. W. in Wayzata.
Also, the public is being alerted by the DPS that parking will not be allowed for several blocks around the church on the day of the funeral.
Weather during the processions is forecast to be unseasonably warm, with a high of 90 degrees under mostly sunny skies.
Trailing the law enforcement procession by 20 to 30 minutes will be a second procession including Wayzata police and fire personnel, the Long Lake Fire Department, the officer's family and Mathews' caisson.
Here is the route from the church to the cemetery: South on County Road 101 to Wayzata Boulevard. West on Wayzata Boulevard to Superior Boulevard. Southwest on Superior to Lake Street. West on Lake along the Lake Minnetonka shore. North on Ferndale back to Wayzata Boulevard. West to the cemetery.
Upon the caisson's arrival, the State Patrol will stage a flyover of the cemetery, and then a "last call" will sound, signaling Mathews' end of watch.
