A ‘Champion’ For Justice: Washington Co. Mourns Pete Orput’s Death

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MN — Lawmakers and officials from across the Twin Cities metro are paying tribute to Washington County Attorney Pete Orput, who died Sunday night after a “brief but courageous battle" with cancer. He was 66.

Brent Wartner, first assistant Washington County attorney, mourned Orput’s death and lauded his contribution and commitment to public service.

“The people who live and work in Washington County lost more than a county attorney,” Wartner said in a release. “They lost a champion of public safety, a guardian, a fierce advocate for justice — and a dedicated public servant.”

During his dozen years as Washington County’s top prosecutor, he built a reputation for targeting human trafficking, seeking robust criminal charges against heroin dealers — particularly in cases involving fatal overdoses — and helping to lead Minnesota's push to sue opioid manufacturers and distributors, the Star Tribune reported.

Orput was initially assigned to lead the prosecution against former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter after the fatal shooting of Duante Wright in April 2021. Orput later referred the case back to the Hennepin County Attorney's Office after facing backlash for the charges he filed against Potter.

Potter was convicted in February on first-and second-degree manslaughter charges and sentenced to serve two years in prison.

Orput's four decades of public service also included stints as assistant Hennepin County Attorney, general counsel for the Minnesota Department of Corrections and deputy attorney general in charge of the Minnesota Attorney General's public prosecution section.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and worked as a high school history teacher before launching his career in law.

Orput said in 2020 that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He announced in January that he planned to retire at the end of 2022 after completing his third term in office.

Less than a week later, he gave Assistant Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson his blessing to succeed him and take over the office next year.

Orput learned he had stomach cancer on March 23, 10 days before his death, KARE 11 reported.

Magnuson said in January that Orput was “one of a kind” and called him “one of the top prosecutors in the state, no question.”

Orput was “really tough on crime” and a "vigorous prosecutor, but at the same time, he knew when justice needed to be blended with compassion,” Magnuson told Patch on Tuesday.

Magnuson said Orput was “a big believer in second chances,” recalling how he started veterans courts — in Washington and Hennepin counties — as well as diversion programs for people struggling with addiction and mental health issues.

Orput was a “great mentor” and built a “very cohesive” team at the Washington County Attorney’s Office, where “people ... felt like he had their back and felt empowered to make decisions,” Magnuson said.

The Washington County Board of Commissioners is expected to name an interim county attorney to complete Orput’s term, but Magnuson said there is “no burning need” for a quick appointment thanks to Orput’s leadership.

“He’s such a towering figure, but he built an office where he empowered everyone to do their job,” Magnuson said.

The Washington County Attorney’s Office has “a great team of managers” and can function without Orput, Magnuson said.

“He designed it that way, to not be dependent on him,” Magnuson said. “So the office isn’t missing a beat even if we’re missing him tremendously.”

Orput told residents at a campaign event last Wednesday that he wanted his office to “continue to do the great work” that he’s overseen since 2011, “especially now that I know I’m not going to be here,” Magnuson said.

Having Orput’s blessing to succeed him “sort of redoubles the sense of responsibility, not only to the office, but to Pete,” Magnuson said.

Magnuson said Orput’s endorsement means “everything” to him and credited Orput for pushing him to campaign for the Washington County Attorney’s Office.

“I wouldn’t have run if he hadn’t spent six months trying to convince me to do it,” Magnuson said. “He’s very proud of this office he built — and he should be — and he wanted someone he felt would sort of continue his legacy, keep the office together.”

Widespread tributes

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum tweeted Monday that she was “saddened to hear” about Orput’s death and shared her condolences for his loved ones.

“I’m grateful for his work establishing veterans’ courts and fighting the opioid epidemic,” she tweeted.

St. Paul-area state Rep. Dave Pinto said he was “stunned and saddened” to hear about Orput’s death, calling him “a passionate fighter for justice who will be sorely missed.”

The Mitchell Hamline School of Law, which Orput graduated from in 1988, tweeted Monday that it was proud to call Orput an alumnus and “grateful for the example of public service you gave our students.”

Isanti County Attorney Jeff Edblad said Orput “made a difference in the lives of so many others” through his service to Washington County, Minnesota and the U.S. Marine Corps.

“This weekend we lost one of our giants,” Edblad said in a statement. “Pete evaluated every case under the standard of seeking justice. He had a special place in his heart for those suffering from addiction and for those who found themselves in the criminal justice system because of actions that were a result of mental health issues incurred through service to this country.”

Washington County Board Chair Wayne Johnson also shared his condolences for Orput’s family and said “it is hard to come up with words today regarding the passing of a great person like Pete.”

“He has accomplished so much, all in the name of serving the public,” Johnson said. “Pete was a friend, a colleague, and someone I always enjoyed seeing at meetings or events.”

Minnesota state Sen. Karla Bigham, who said she met Orput when they both worked at the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, called Orput "larger than life with his laugh and personality."

"Pete's commitment to justice was unmatched," she tweeted late Sunday night. "He will be missed, but his motivating pep talks and the memories of friendship are forever."

Woodbury-area state Sen. Susan Kent tweeted Monday that she was "so saddened" to hear news of Orput's death.

"Pete was the best kind of person and public servant, who cared deeply and gave so much of himself," she wrote. "It was a blessing to have known him. My prayers and sympathies to his family and many friends."

Former Woodbury-area state Rep. Kelly Fenton tweeted Sunday that she "had the honor" of working with Orput on several issues and said "I don't think I respected anyone more."

"He was the people's champion. He leaves a huge void," she wrote.

State Sen. Karin Housley, who represents northern Washington County, called Orput "one of the greatest guys on the planet" and said he became a great friend to the Housley family.

"We will all miss you, Pete. Thank you for your service," she tweeted.

Cottage Grove City Councilman Justin Olsen said Orput was "a good man and a great public servant."

"We were extremely lucky to have him working on behalf of [Washington County] residents," he tweeted.

The Washington County Board of Commissioners issued a statement Monday that called Orput "a great leader, mentor and friend."

"We realize that the employees will surely miss Mr. Orput’s guidance and friendship that they have enjoyed during his tenure as County Attorney," commissioners said. "The entire Washington County community has benefited from the energy, tenacity and fairness that Mr. Orput brought to his position. He will be greatly missed by each of us."