Condolences pour in after two officers killed in Barron County, Wisconsin

BARRON COUNTY, Wis. (WBAY) - According to our affiliate KSTP, one of the victims from the horrible shooting scene in Barron County is Chetek Officer Emily Breidenbach. KTSP obtained the information by speaking to her friends and her family. Her brother Mike told KSTP reporter Renee Cooper “to know her was to love her.” He was also quoted from a statement he issued as saying: “She could’ve gone anywhere to work, but loved Chetek.”

A squad car draped in black and covered with flowers has become a memorial for Officer Emily Breidenbach outside the Chetek Police Department.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said Sunday “our hearts are heavy” a day after the two police officers were shot to death during a traffic stop.

″Our hearts are heavy for the Chetek and Cameron police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty yesterday. Kathy and I are praying for the officers’ families, colleagues, and the Barron County community mourning this tragic loss,” Evers posted on Twitter.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice issued a statement that reads as follows: “At approximately 3:38 p.m., an officer from Chetek Police Department conducted a traffic stop. During the traffic stop, gunfire was exchanged. One Chetek Police Officer and one Cameron Police Officer were pronounced deceased at the scene. The involved individual was taken to a hospital where they later died.

There is no threat to the community.”

The Green Bay Police Department posted this statement to Facebook: “The Green Bay Police Department offers its support to the Chetek Police Department and Village of Cameron Police Department in Barron County, the families who lost their loved ones in the line of duty, and the communities of these fallen officers during this difficult time.”

A Facebook post from the Rice Lake Police Department says: “Our hearts are with Chetek Police Department and Village of Cameron Police Department Family, Friends, and Community. We stand together!”

Multiple law enforcement agencies are posting tributes on their Facebook pages, including The Village of East Troy Police Department. There, it reads: “Tonight our hearts are heavy as we send our thoughts and prayers to the Village of Cameron Police Department, the City of Chetek Police Department, the Barron County community, and the families of two officers lost in the line of duty today.”

The Appleton Police Department posted this message on Facebook: “The Appleton Police Department extends our deepest sympathies to our law enforcement partners in the Barron County area tonight. We stand in solidarity with the Chetek Police Department and Village of Cameron Police Department during this difficult time, and offer our sincerest condolences and support. Our hearts go out to the families of the officers, as well as to their colleagues, friends, and the communities they served. The sacrifice made by these officers is immeasurable and cannot be understated. Rest easy heroes, we have the watch from here.”

The Sheboygan Fire Department’s Facebook entry reads: “Sad reports coming from northern Wisconsin of two officers killed in the line of duty. Tonight we send our thoughts and prayers to the Village of Cameron Police Department, the City of Chetek Police Department, the Barron County community, and the families of two officers lost in the line of duty today.”

The Fond du Lac Police Department added this statement to their Facebook site: “Our FDLPD Family’s thoughts and prayers go out to the Village of Cameron Police Department and the City of Chetek Police Department and the families, friends, loved ones, and co-workers of each Officer. Our hearts go out to you!”

According to the statement released by the Department of Justice hours after the incident on Saturday, the Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is continuing to review evidence and determine the facts of this incident. It will turn over investigative reports to the Barron County District Attorney when the investigation concludes.

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