Holly MatkinSt. Croix County, WI – A St. Croix County sheriff’s deputy was murdered in the line of duty on Saturday evening while investigating an alleged drunk-driving crash.
The incident began at approximately 6:15 p.m. on May 6, when 29-year-old St. Croix County Sheriff’s Deputy Kaitie Leising received a report of a vehicle that had crashed into a ditch in the area of County Road G and Highway 128, KSTP reported.
When she arrived at the scene, Deputy Leising spotted other people who had pulled over to help the driver of the vehicle.
The driver was later identified as 34-year-old Jeremiah Johnson, KSTP reported.
During the course of her investigation, Deputy Leising asked Johnson to perform a field sobriety test, at which point he became “evasive,” the Wisconsin Department of Justice (WDOJ) said in a press release.
She had been speaking with the suspect for about eight minutes when he abruptly pulled out a handgun and opened fire on her, according to investigators.
Despite her wounds, the injured deputy managed to return fire, KSTP reported.
None of the three rounds she fired struck her attacker.
Johnson then allegedly fled on foot into the nearby woods, WEAU reported.
The WDOJ said the good Samaritans who had initially pulled over to help Johnson rushed to Deputy Leising’s aid before she was transported to a local hospital, KSTP reported.
She succumbed to her wounds shortly thereafter.
Just 29 years old, Deputy Kaitie Leising made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty—shot and killed during a traffic stop. Her service mattered. Her life was one of significance. My prayers are with Deputy Leising’s family and the entire St. Croix County, WI Sheriff’s… pic.twitter.com/hvmw4t09tG
— Bill Bratton (@CommissBratton) May 8, 2023
The shootout was captured on Deputy Leising’s bodycam, according to KSTP.
Police searched the woods and located the gunman approximately one hour after the shooting, KSTP reported.
The WDOJ said Johnson fatally shot himself after one of the officers spotted him.
Investigators said they located a handgun next to his body.
None of the officers searching for Johnson fired their weapons during the incident, KSTP reported.
The Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the ongoing investigation into the fatal shooting and will forward its findings to the St. Croix County District Attorney’s Office for review.
A procession of law enforcement vehicles escorted the slain deputy’s body to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office in St. Paul, Minnesota, at approximately 2 a.m. on Sunday.
A second procession escorted Deputy Leising’s body to a funeral home in Baldwin, Wisconsin, later that afternoon, KSTP reported.
Deputy Kaitie Leising’s body is taken into the funeral home surrounded by family and dozens of saluting law enforcement officers from nearby WI and MN counties.
Hundreds of people are also here to support them and pay their respects. @WCCO pic.twitter.com/k7ozPDLeVS
— David Schuman (@david_schuman) May 7, 2023
Deputy Leising joined the SCCSO approximately one year ago, St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knudson said in a press release on Sunday.
She previously served the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office in South Dakota for two years, according to Sheriff Knudson.
“Our love and condolences go out to the family of Kaitie Leising and all those with whom she served,” the sheriff wrote. “We, as a law enforcement family, will do everything possible to continue to provide support and comfort to her family.
“We will miss her infectious smile and personality,” he added. “She will be missed by all she touched.”
Deputies at the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office here in Hudson, WI, lower the flags to half staff as they salut, following one of their own being shot and killed responding to drunk driver call last night. #wcco
Story details: https://t.co/W0x8DQOkgd pic.twitter.com/Y5fdyqz2Jk
— Marielle Mohs (@MarielleMohs) May 7, 2023
The Town of Warren said in a Facebook post that Deputy Leising “served St. Croix County with honor and distinction.”
“You will not be forgotten. Peace be with all who loved Deputy Leising,” city officials wrote. “To the St. Croix Sheriff’s Office, the Town of Warrens official law enforcement agency, you are honored, respected and loved beyond measure. Thank you for all you do every day.”
