On the morning of February 7th, a police officer in Milwaukee was fatally shot near 14th and Cleveland, in the city’s south side.
Chief Jeffrey Norman of the Milwaukee Police Department said that at about 1:15 a.m. on Tuesday, officers from District 4 were dispatched to the area of 14th and Cleveland.
An individual sought in connection with a Monday night robbery on W. Good Hope Road was spotted in the neighborhood.
The suspect was located, and according to Chief Norman, he escaped on foot. One of the policemen eventually caught up to the suspect, and a scuffle began.
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It was during this battle that the suspect brandished a weapon and fired bullets, injuring the police officer. During their altercation, the officer opened fire, hitting the man with bullets.
The 37-year-old guy, who had been a police officer in Milwaukee for four years, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Those wounds ultimately proved fatal for him.
A Milwaukee guy, 19, was identified as the suspect and pronounced dead at the scene between 14th and Cleveland. According to Chief Norman, it is unclear whether the subject shot himself or was shot by the officer.
This event will be looked at by the Milwaukee Area Investigative Team (MAIT), with the Brookfield Police Department serving as the primary investigator. The police officer’s identity will be revealed at a later time.
Norman said –
“Milwaukee, our hearts are heavy. Milwaukee Police Department hearts are heavy. My heart is heavy”
“One of our finest, who put on that uniform, put on that badge, went into work last night, and paid the ultimate sacrifice for protecting our community. Milwaukee, we need your prayers, we need your support.”
The chief addressed the men and women in uniform directly and said, “I see you. I’m proud of you. The work that you do does not go unnoticed. And at this time, our community needs you.”
Now is the moment to lean in and get the job done, Chief Norman urged officers and people of the community.
Norman said –
“The violence needs to stop. The violence needs to stop. Everyone has a role in community protection.”
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said –
“This whole city owes a debt of gratitude to that officer, to his partner, and to this entire department that goes out each and every single day to make sure that all of us are safe.”
The mayor mentioned the 19-year-old male suspect and encouraged community involvement in ensuring the safety of its members.
The mayor said –
“Somebody that age, 19 years old, they’re probably getting up from somebody’s couch, and somebody knows that they’re out here doing things.”
“We need you to speak up. We need you to be engaged because if you are not, then this is the deadly consequence that we see. It’s a police officer dead. It’s somebody else who ends up getting injured or hurt because of violence like this on the street.”
Jose Perez, the president of the Common Council, likewise emphasized the value of participation.
Perez said –
“You’re going to hear this message often – it’s up to all of us, every one of us, priests, pastors, fathers, mothers. We need to continue to come together. We can do better. We deserve better, and it’s up to us.”
Andrew Wagner, President of the Milwaukee Police Association said –
“We lost a public servant that gave his life in an effort to preserve peace in his community.”
“Our officers are suffering, they’re in mourning, the officers are in mourning, our city is going to be in mourning, our entire state will be in mourning for the loss of this public servant.”
Wagner said that it is our job to look to the future and make sure that the officer’s service to the community will never be forgotten.
Early on Tuesday, first responders from all over Milwaukee came together to show support for the fallen officer. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office witnessed a procession outside of their doors. The mood was heavy with sadness.
