Ryan Thomas Piper, age 49, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away on February 11, 2024.
A Celebration of Ryan’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM with a Time of Gathering from 9:00 – 11:00 AM on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at Hosanna Church, 9600 163rd St. W, Lakeville, MN 55044.
After high school, Ryan attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Sociology. He began his policing career as a Community Service Officer in Mound and eventually was hired by the Minnetonka Police Department in 1999. Throughout his 24-year career, Ryan was a patrol officer, a K9 handler, a field training officer and a long-time member of the SWAT team. Ryan built a career on a reputation of hard work and integrity. He made friends throughout the law enforcement community as well as the City of Minnetonka. Many would say they never met anyone that did not like Ryan.
Ryan met his wife, Morgan, in 2005 when she finally agreed to go on a blind date. They were married on the North Shore in 2007 and eventually had two children, Avery and Jack. Ryan was a wonderful, energetic father and a beloved uncle to his nephew, also named Ryan. He attended all of Avery and Jack’s hockey practices and games and coached Jack’s hockey team. Ryan enjoyed hunting, camping and ice fishing and he was very excited to share these hobbies with his children.
In early 2018, Ryan was diagnosed with cancer that he would battle for the next six years. He endured surgeries, countless rounds of radiation and chemotherapy, all of which he handled with strength and dignity. Ryan was promoted to the position of Sergeant in 2020 and not surprisingly, he continued to work through much of the debilitating treatment, even when he knew that he was in the midst of a terminal illness. As the cancer progressed, Ryan made a lasting impression on the many Mayo Clinic health professionals involved in his care as well as the team at St. Croix Hospice that went out of their way to make sure he was comfortable. On Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 2:25 pm, the world lost a magnificent person.
Ryan leaves behind his wife, Morgan and their two children, Avery and Jack, his mother, Cecelia, and his nephew, Ryan. He also leaves behind his brothers and sisters in law enforcement as well as extended family and friends throughout Minnesota and North Dakota. Ryan is preceded in death by his father, Craig, and his brother, Chris.
