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Fallen officers Breidenbach, Scheel ‘justified’ in use of force
The report said the officers “acted lawfully in self-defense and defense of others, and were privileged in using deadly force.”
CAMERON, Wis. — Editor’s note: The video above first aired on KARE 11 on April 15, 2023.
The Barron County District Attorney’s Office released its final report Friday in connection with an exchange of gunfire that left two police officers and a suspect dead in western Wisconsin last month, concluding the officers’ use of deadly force against the suspect was “justified.”
The report comes a little over a month after Chetek, Wisconsin police officer Emily Breidenbach, 32, and Cameron, Wisconsin police officer Hunter Scheel, 23, died in the line of duty after being shot by 50-year-old Glenn Perry during a traffic stop. Perry was also shot in the April 8 exchange, later dying at a local hospital from a gunshot wound to the leg.
“Officer Breidenbach and Officer Scheel exhibited unimaginable courage on the afternoon of April 8, 2023,” the statement read, adding the officers “acted lawfully in self-defense and defense of others, and were privileged in using deadly force.”
The report goes on to say the AR-15 rifle Perry used in the shooting that day, in addition to several other firearms he kept both inside his home and vehicle, were obtained legally. In the days following the shooting, law enforcement determined Perry did not have any previous gun violations or citations, but had an established “animosity toward law enforcement and government in general.”
Breidenbach was on routine patrol in Chetek on the afternoon of April 8 when she encountered Perry in his vehicle and learned there was an active warrant for his arrest. Scheel, on duty at the time in Cameron, answered Breidenbach’s call for backup while she communicated to dispatch that the officers would wait to stop Perry’s vehicle until he entered the city of Cameron.
When the vehicles stopped, authorities say Breidenbach opened the driver’s side door of her squad vehicle and positioned herself behind it, drawing her firearm and yelling commands at Perry. The report says that’s when Perry opened his door, stepped out with the automatic weapon and opened fire. Investigators determined Breidenbach got two shots off before she was struck.
Scheel, according to the report, was approaching Perry’s vehicle on its rear passenger side when Breidenbach was hit. Scheel radioed in a report of “shots fired” before taking cover behind his squad vehicle and exchanging gunfire with Perry. As Perry advanced toward Scheel, the report says Scheel tried to maneuver himself around his squad but was ultimately shot multiple times before suffering fatal shots at close range.
Although Perry was struck in the leg by one of the officers’ bullets, he was initially able to walk back to his vehicle before falling to the ground. Attempting to stand, Perry again fell to the ground as additional squads arrived. While officers at the scene described seeing Perry suffer significant blood loss from his injury, it was later determined that the bullet perforated the femoral artery in his right leg.
The report said the entire exchange with Breidenbach and Scheel was over in approximately 45 seconds, with another minute and 35 seconds passing before Perry fell to the ground by his vehicle. The report concluded that had Perry remained able, he likely would have caused “great bodily harm” or “death” to anyone directly in the line of, or caught in, potential crossfire.
“The deaths of Officer Breidenbach and Officer Scheel are a stark reminder of how police officers put their lives on the line each and every day to protect us,” the report said. “The sworn duty of police officers to serve and protect should be revered whenever we remember the bravery, courage and sacrifice of Officer Breidenbach and Officer Scheel.”
Under Wisconsin state statute, a person “may use force which is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if the person reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself, or others.”
The same applies to police officers acting in their professional capacity, who reserve the right to act in self-defense or in the defense of others.
“The heroism of Officer Breidenbach and Officer Scheel saved countless lives and will never be forgotten,” the report said.
A week after the officers were killed, their family, friends and community said goodbye with a funeral service and procession, before laying them to rest.
And on Thursday, May 18, law enforcement agencies throughout Hennepin County honored a total of 67 fallen colleagues outside Minneapolis City Hall by reading their names aloud.
In the last few weeks alone, four officers in the region — including Breidenbach and Scheel — paid the ultimate sacrifice. Also among the fallen officers were Pope County Josh Owen, who was killed responding to a domestic violence call, and St. Croix County Deputy Kaitie Leising, who was killed while responding to a suspected drunk driver.
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According to the report, the BPPD said Andre Lane has been missing since 11 a.m. this morning.
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — The Brooklyn Park Police Department is asking for the public to help find a missing man who has Alzheimer’s.
According to the alert, the BPPD said 57-year-old Andre Lane has been missing since 2 p.m. this afternoon.
He stands at 5’9″ and weighs roughly 250 pounds. Lane suffers from Alzheimer’s and dementia and may not be able to take care of himself, said the BPPD.
Lane was last seen wearing grayish-blue Levi’s jacket, black hat, black sweatpants, a gray long sleeve t-shirt and black Jordan shoes, according to the report.
Officials believe Lane left his residence, near the 6600 block of Tessman Terrace, on foot. The BPPD is asking people who live near Tessman Farm Road/85th Avenue North to check yards and properties.
Anyone who sees Lane is asked to contact the Brooklyn Park Police Department at 763-493-8222.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
The driver in the vehicle involved is reportedly cooperating with police and the investigation remains open and active.
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — A woman has died after being struck by a vehicle in the parking lot of St. Louis Park’s Knollwood Mall.
A city spokesperson told KARE the incident happened Friday afternoon in the parking lot of The Shoppes at Knollwood. The city said despite life-saving efforts by emergency responders and paramedics, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver in the vehicle involved is reportedly cooperating with police and the investigation remains open and active.
The victim, an adult woman, has not yet been identified.
Known as “Jeff the Giant,” Jeff Pangburn is well-known around Oak Harbor, Washington.
OAK HARBOR, Wash. — Jeff Pangburn has lived on Whidbey Island for 43 years. It’s his home, even if he doesn’t technically have one.
“I stay out in the woods,” Pangburn said. “It’s my time with God.”
For the past 15 years, Pangburn has lived in the woods of Oak Harbor. He’s a friendly face known all around town. People honk and wave to him as they drive by.
“I’m a popular guy, I guess,” Pangburn said.
But a recent tragedy has cast a shadow on Pangburn’s spirit.
“I’ve been bawling my head off like crazy,” Pangburn said. “I was sobbing tears, you know?”
Pangburn was bedded down for the night in a gazebo on Dec. 2 when 15-year-old Grace Horn’s car came crashing just 4 feet away. She failed to negotiate the curve at the intersection of state Route 20 and Libbey Road. Horn was reportedly delivering food to make money for Christmas presents.
Pangburn said he immediately called 911 and tried to pull Horn from the car as it burned, but the flames were too much. A power pole was also burning. Pangburn feared he might be electrocuted if the wires came down, so he ran into the woods.
Pangburn said he was heartbroken he could not do more.
“I couldn’t get in,” Pangburn said. “I couldn’t get in the vehicle and then the fire. I couldn’t do any more than what I did. If you know me you know that must really hurt for me not being able to do anything.”
Pangburn returned to the scene and spoke with authorities about what he saw. He freely admits he was in and out of jail for two decades, but said he has been on the straight and narrow for 15 years.
“I was a lousy criminal,” Pangburn said.
He now makes his home among the trees where he is most comfortable. By day he pulls his overloaded cart to Spin Café, which helps people in need on the island.
“This situation has been very hard on him,” said Valerie Roseberry, a case manager at the café.
At 6-foot-10, Pangburn is known as a “gentle giant” with a heart to match.
In recent weeks he has been offering extra blankets to those who might need them at the café. No one is surprised Pangburn would try to help someone in a desperate, dangerous situation like the one Horn found herself in.
“Of course, Jeff would do that,” Roseberry said. “Of course, he would. Honestly, as a mom, I am so grateful he was there so that she had somebody.”
Community members established an online fundraiser for Pangburn.
Pangburn said he does not want to profit from the misery of others but would like to use any donations to buy an RV and move out of the woods.
People can also donate size 17 shoes, socks, 2XL sweatpants, 4XL-sized hoodies, coats, hand warmers, beanies and gift cards at DK Market in Oak Harbor.
The Washington State Patrol said there have been at least 23 crashes at the intersection where Horn died over the past five years.
Pangburn believes the best way to honor her and him is to demand safety improvements be made.
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