SHULLSBURG — A person is dead after Feb. 12 incident involving law enforcement in Lafayette County. The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating the officer involved critical incident (OICI).
At approximately 1:06 a.m. on Feb. 12, the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call for a subject acting erratically on West Water Street near North Iowa Street in the City of Shullsburg, according to a DCI press release about 12 hours later. Two Lafayette County Sheriff’s deputies and one Darlington police officer responded.
Upon arrival, law enforcement located a subject yelling and wandering in the street. The subject physically resisted when officers made contact. One of the officers unsuccessfully deployed nonlethal means in an attempt to subdue the subject. The subject then ran from the officers. When eventually detained, the subject continued to physically resist law enforcement.
According to the DCI press release, the subject then became distressed and the officers attempted to provide life saving measures. Emergency medical services were requested and responded to the scene.
The subject was transported to a local hospital where they were later pronounced deceased.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The involved Darlington Police Department officer and the two Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office deputies have been placed on administrative duty, per department policy.
The officers were wearing body cameras during the incident, and both Darlington Police Department and Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office have squad cameras. All involved law enforcement are fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation.
DCI is leading this investigation and is assisted by the Shullsburg Police Department, Lafayette County Coroner’s Office, Lafayette County EMS, Shullsburg EMS, Wisconsin State Patrol, DCI Crime Response Specialists, and members of DCI’s Digital Evidence Unit.
DCI is continuing to review evidence and determine the facts of this incident, and will turn over investigative reports to the Lafayette County District Attorney when the investigation concludes.
Attempts by the Monroe Times to reach the DCI for further information on Monday afternoon were unsuccessful.
