A 30-year-old St. Paul police officer died on Saturday of a medical condition that arose during a Feb. 8 police call.

Josh Lynaugh died at Regions Hospital, where he had been since incurring the medical condition, said police spokesman Howie Padilla. Padilla said he could not provide details about the Feb. 8 call or the medical condition, only that the death was "not the result of an assault."

Lynaugh had been with the force for five years. His father, Tim Lynaugh, is a retired police sergeant.

"In little more than five years of service ... officer Lynaugh showed what an impact a dedicated officer can have in the community he or she serves," Police Chief Tom Smith said in a prepared statement. "In that short time, [he] amassed 16 commendations and letters of recognition, including two life-saving awards."

Chris McGuire, a St. Paul Police Federation union steward, also issued a statement:

"No one's heart was bigger. ... No one cared about being a cop, specifically a street cop, ... more than him or worked harder at being the best. [We] ironically joked recently about if one of us were ever to die in the line of duty. I do not remember specifics, just that he wanted people to celebrate, not mourn. ... So that's what I'm going to do."

Funeral plans are pending

STAFF REPORTS