MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee police officer Peter E. Jerving was shot and killed overnight trying to arrest a robbery suspect in Milwaukee, according to Milwaukee Police Department officials.

MPD officials said that at 1:16 a.m. on Tuesday, officers were checking for a robbery suspect around the 2700 block of S. 14th Street. The suspect, now identified as 19-year-old Terrell I. Thompson, was wanted in a robbery that had occurred Monday at around 11:25 p.m. near the 3600 block of W. Good Hope Road, according to MPD.

Upon arrival, officers located the suspect, who ignored commands and fled on foot.

Jerving, the 37-year-old officer who worked out of Police District 4, was able to catch up with the suspect, but a struggle ensued. During the struggle, the suspect used a handgun and fired shots, striking the officer. 

The officer then discharged his firearm. During the exchange, the suspect was struck; he was pronounced dead at the scene. MPD said the suspect’s injury was a result of the officer’s gunfire.

With life-threatening injuries, the officer was transported to Froedtert hospital. However, despite medical efforts, the officer died of his injuries. He had given four years of service to MPD. Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said Jerving also received a Lifesaving Award in 2022 for saving someone's life after they were shot in June.

“Milwaukee, our hearts are heavy,” said Norman at a press conference on the incident, his voice breaking. “One of our finest who put on that uniform, put on that badge, went into work last night and paid the ultimate sacrifice for protecting our community.”

"Officer Peter Jerving’s loved, and dedicated his life to serving the great people of our city. To his last breath, Peter fulfilled that goal," said the family in a statement. "Milwaukee has lost one of it’s finest young officers. He will be greatly missed by his mother, father, brothers and sisters, other family members as well as his many wonderful friends and his comrades, brothers and sisters of the Milwaukee police, firefighter and rescue community.” 

Norman said now is the time to lean in and do the work that needs to be done to prevent violence in the community.

“The violence needs to stop,” urged Norman.

He said everyone, not just the Milwaukee Police Department, plays a role in making this happen.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson echoed these thoughts.

“It’s on all of us to make sure that our city is safe,” said Johnson at a press conference. “It’s on all of us to make sure that public safety is secure for everybody in our community and it’s on all of us to make sure that individuals who are out there, who would cause incidents like this — death, harm and destruction — that we can keep an eye on them, that we inform them that they should put guns down, that they should stop committing acts of violence.”

Johnson said it’s likely that suspects like this are getting up from someone’s couch and that someone knows they’re out in the community doing these things.

He said it’s crucial that the community check up on their people to prevent deadly consequences like this.

“Enough of this. Enough of it. There are no excuses for this,” said Johnson. “This officer should not be dead right now. This should not happen."

The suspect, Thompson, was allegedly involved in a hit and run July 10, 2021, according to a criminal complaint. Thompson appeared in court yesterday for that case and pleaded guilty. He received probation.

MPD said the investigation is ongoing and that the Brookfield Police Department will lead the investigation along with the Milwaukee Area Investigative Team.

The Milwaukee police chief reported earlier that the officer was 38, but officials confirmed to Spectrum News Tuesday afternoon that he was 37.

This continues to be a developing story. Please check back here for more details.