MILWAUKEE – A Milwaukee police officer was shot and killed early Tuesday while trying to apprehend a robbery suspect, who was also shot and killed after a physical struggle with the officer.
The officer had been chasing after, and exchanged gunfire with, a 19-year-old man, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said, although it was unclear as of 7 a.m. local time whether or not his injuries were self-inflicted.
Norman said the officer is a 37-year-old with four years of experience. He was part of a group of officers who at 1:16 a.m. responded to a block on the city’s south side to check for a man wanted in connection with a robbery that occurred Monday at 11:25 p.m.
“Milwaukee, our hearts are heavy,” Norman said, at times appearing emotional during a brief press conference near the scene. “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.
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Chief: Man fled on foot, chase ensued
Officers encountered a man who ignored their commands and fled on foot, Norman said. One officer chased and caught up with him, where a struggle ensued.
The suspect fired shots from a handgun, striking the officer. The officer also discharged his weapon. The officer later died at a hospital, while the other man died at the scene, Norman said.
The investigation into the incident is being led by the Brookfield Police Department.
Four years after another Milwaukee police shooting
The officer’s death comes almost four years to the day after Milwaukee Police Officer Matthew Rittner was shot and killed while executing a search warrant.
Rittner, a U.S. Marine who was deployed twice to Iraq before joining Milwaukee’s force, died on Feb. 6, 2019. He was 35.
The fatally shooting also took place on the city’s south side.
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Story Credit: usatoday.com