Holly MatkinVillage of Cameron, WI – Chetek Police Department (CPD) Officer Emily Breidenbach was murdered in the line of duty while conducting a traffic stop on Saturday afternoon.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (WDOJ) said in a press release that the incident occurred at approximately 3:38 p.m. on April 8.
Officer Breidenbach, 32, was conducting a traffic stop when a shootout erupted, according to investigators.
She and Cameron Police Officer Hunter Scheel were both hit by gunfire.
Radio traffic indicate an ambulance was dispatched to the area of Highway 8 and Double S at 3:39 p.m., WTMJ reported.
Both officers succumbed to their wounds at the scene.
The WDOJ said the suspect was also shot during the gun battle.
The suspect was rushed to a local hospital, but did not survive.
He has been identified as 50-year-old Glenn Douglas Perry, the Across Wisconsin Patch reported.
The WDOJ said Officer Breidenbach stopped Perry “based on a warrant and to check welfare of the driver,” according to the news outlet.
Police had received information the suspect had been displaying “concerning behavior,” according to the WDOJ.
Officials have released few details about the incident or what led up to the exchange of gunfire.
The two slain officers’ names were released by their families, Wisconsin Right Now reported.
Officer Breidenbach served the Chetek Police Department (CPD) for more than four years, according to her LinkedIn page.
She previously worked as an officer for the Stoughton Police Department.
“Our community is experiencing a time of great tragedy,” Village of Cameron Police Department (CPD) Chief Adam Steffen said in a Facebook post on Sunday. “As we continue to work through this, please respect the privacy of our law enforcement officers and their families. We want to thank the community for their continued support and overwhelming acts of kindness. The support has been tremendous!”
Chetek Police Chief Ron Ambrozaitis issued an identical statement on his department’s Facebook page.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers extended his condolences to the families of the officers who were killed, as well as to the departments and communities they served.
“Our hearts are heavy for the Chetek and Cameron police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty yesterday,” Evers tweeted on Sunday. “Kathy and I are praying for the officers’ families, colleagues, and the Barron County community mourning this tragic loss.”
The Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is handling the ongoing investigation into the incident with the assistance of the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, the Barron County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, and a DCI crime response specialist, according to the WDOJ.
Investigative findings will be turned over to the Barron County District Attorney for review.
A procession of law enforcement officers escorted the fallen heroes’ bodies from Barron, Wisconsin to Ramsey, Minnesota for autopsy on Monday morning, WTMJ reported.
Officer Breidenbach leaves behind her fiancé and his four children, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
She is also survived by her father, a former Chetek police chief, as well as her mother and brother.
“We are all heartbroken and numb right now,” the fallen officer’s brother, Mike Breidenbach, told KSTP. “She was my sister and I loved her very much.”
RIP. Wisconsin Police Officer Emily Breidenbach was murdered when she was shot and killed while on a traffic stop. Another officer was also shot and killed. STOP SHOOTING MY POLICE OFFICERS!!! #rip #hero #eow #PoliceOfficerEmilyBreidenbach #ChetekPoliceDepartment #murdered pic.twitter.com/T91fUIYzU1
— Protecting the Blue (@protectingblue) April 10, 2023
Rest in peace PO Emily Breidenbach of Chetek PD & PO Hunter Scheel of Cameron PD, both in Wisconsin, who were shot & killed during a traffic stop on 4/8/23. Please retweet to honor them 😞🙏🏼💙🖤#BlueLivesMatter #BackTheBlue #StopKillingUs #Enough pic.twitter.com/NCoc5M8laL
— Angel L Maysonet🇵🇷🇺🇸👮🏻♂️💙🖤 (@bigricanman) April 10, 2023
R.I.P Officer Emily Breidenbach
R.I.P Officer Hunter Scheel
E.O.W 04-08-2023
Village of Cameron PD, WI
Chetek PD, WIOfficer Breidenbach & Officer Scheel were shot during a routine traffic stop.
Please keep their families in your prayers during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/0uGMzQH9tq
— 👑💥 Serenity 💥👑 (@polishprincessh) April 10, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Chetek Police Department Officer Emily Breidenbach, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Officer Emily Breidenbach, your life mattered.
