Holly MatkinVillage of Cameron, WI – Village of Cameron Police Department (VCPD) Officer Hunter Timothy Scheel 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.
Chetek Police Department (CPD) Officer Emily Breidenback, 32, was conducting a traffic stop when a shootout erupted, according to investigators.
Officer Scheel, 23, was also at the scene when the gunfire erupted.
He and officer Breidenback were both struck during the incident.
Radio traffic indicated 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 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.
The two slain officers’ names were released by their families, Wisconsin Right Now reported.
Officer Scheel joined the VCPD approximately one year ago, according to the news outlet.
He had just graduated from the law enforcement academy in December of 2022.
“It is with a heavy heart to share that my love, my soulmate, and my best friend made the ultimate sacrifice doing exactly what he was meant to do, help others,” his girlfriend, Camryn Gosdeck, said in a Facebook post. “Hunter Timothy Scheel meant so much to so many people and left anyone he encountered with a laugh and a smile. Hunter was a living blessing who cared so deeply for those he loved.”
Officer Scheel also served in the Army National Guard and volunteered to serve in Afghanistan, Gosdeck wrote.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better partner. We had so much planned for our future and looked forward to growing old with one another,” she said. “Because of this, I am absolutely heartbroken and never knew I could feel such an immense pain as having my other half ripped from me. My heart hurts for him, for his family and anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.”
“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.”
In addition to his girlfriend, Officer Scheel is also survived by his mother, father, stepfather, and three sisters, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
We offer our deepest condolences to the friends, family, and co-workers of Officer Hunter Timothy Scheel of the Cameron Police Department in Wisconsin. Officer Scheel was shot and killed during a traffic stop and served with the Cameron Police Department for one year. pic.twitter.com/2jGfF8uXwX
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 10, 2023
Wisconsin police officers Hunter Scheel and Emily Breidenbach were fatally shot by a career criminal this weekend.
Law enforcement and our basic system of public safety are under attack. pic.twitter.com/NfdFTb0mhy
— Law Enforcement Legal Defense (@LELDF) April 10, 2023
RIP 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. Local heroes! pic.twitter.com/SC4fCn0C67
— James Douglass (@cftc10) April 10, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Village of Cameron Police Department Officer Hunter Timothy Scheel, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Officer Hunter Scheel, your life mattered.
