THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE
Oconto Co. Deputy Involved in Shooting
Issue Date: June 16, 2022
An Oconto County Sheriff's Deputy is on administrative leave following a fatal shooting that occurred at 2:52 p.m. Wednesday, June 8 on Road in the Town of Oconto. Investigators with the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or circumstances leading up to it to contact them at (800) 394-6215 and leave a message with what was witnessed and how to contact you.
According to the DOJ news release, beginning at approximately 2:41 p.m. on June 8, The Oconto County Dispatch began receiving multiple 911 calls reporting a reckless driver on Highway 41. At approximately 2:52 p.m., an Oconto County Sheriff's Deputy spotted a vehicle matching that description and made contact with it on the side of Highway 41 in the area of Frog Pond Road.
According to the news release, the Sheriff's Deputy saw the injured driver exit the vehicle. While the deputy was tending to the driver's injuries, a passenger of the same vehicle, who was armed with a knife, exited the vehicle. The passenger approached the Sheriff's Deputy and refused to comply with commands. The Sheriff's Deputy discharged their weapon, striking the passenger. First aid was rendered but the subject died at the scene. The driver of the vehicle was transported to a local hospital and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident.
The involved Oconto County Sheriff's Deputy has been placed on administrative leave until the investigation is complete, in accord with the sheriff's office policy.
DCI is leading this investigation and is assisted by Wisconsin State Patrol, Oconto Police Department, Brown County Medical Examiner's Office, and DOJ's Office of Crime Victim Services. All involved law enforcement are fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation, according to the news release.
DCI is continuing to review evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over investigative reports to the Oconto County District Attorney when the investigation concludes.
Wisconsin statutes require that whenever an individual dies as a direct result of an action or an omission of a law enforcement officer the ensuing investigation must be conducted by an investigative team from an independent law enforcement agency. For Wisconsin counties that investigating agency is generally the DCI.