Washington County Attorney Pete Orput Dies At 66; Tributes Pour In

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MN — Washington County Attorney Pete Orput died Sunday night at his home in Stillwater, officials said. He was 66.

Orput, who was first elected to the office in 2010, said in January that he planned to retire at the end of 2022.

Orput was known 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.

He also helped launch veterans courts in Washington and Hennepin counties.

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

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 criticism 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 in Vietnam and worked as a high school history teacher before launching his career in law.

Orput revealed in 2020 that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

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.

(An earlier version of this story omitted that Fenton is a former state representative.)

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.

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum tweeted Monday that she was “grateful” for Orput’s work to establish veterans courts and fight the opioid epidemic in Minnesota.