Family: Retired Polk County judge drowns in Panama

CROOKSTON, Minn. - The daughter of a retired Polk County judge says her father has drowned while on vacation in Panama.

John Roue of Crookston died Sunday afternoon, according to his daughter, Jill Burggraf. He was 68 years old.

Burggraf said Monday that Roue and his wife were vacationing at a friend's villa. The two were swimming when they were caught in an undertow.

Burggraf said her stepmother escaped, but her father didn't.

Roue was a Polk County judge from 1980 through 2006. He was appointed to the bench by Gov. Al Quie. He was also assigned to serve as a senior judge from July 2008 through June 2009. In that position, he filled in for other judges.