BARRON COUNTY, Wis. — The two officers who were killed during a traffic stop Saturday in Barron County have now been identified.
Hunter Scheel, 23, an officer with the Cameron Police Department, and Emily Breidenbach, 32, an officer with the Chetek Police Department, were fatally shot while conducting a traffic stop in Barron County Saturday afternoon, according to Barron County officials.
What You Need To Know
- Cameron police officer Hunter Scheel, 23, had just over one year of experience with the force
- Chetek police officer Emily Breidenbach, 32, had just over five years of experience in law enforcement
- The suspect, Glenn Douglas Perry, 50, was taken to a hospital where he later died
- Additional details leading up to the traffic stop and the exchange between the suspect and officers have not yet been released
At approximately 3:38 p.m. on Saturday, Breidenbach and Scheel conducted a traffic stop in the Village of Cameron, based on a warrant and to check the welfare status of the driver, Glenn Douglas Perry, 50, following a notification of concerning behavior, according to the Wisconsin Department of Justice. During the traffic stop, gunfire was exchanged. Breidenbach and Scheel were pronounced deceased at the scene and the suspect, Glenn Perry, was taken to a hospital and later died, the justice department said.
Breidenbach worked as an officer with the Chetek Police Department for just over four years. She graduated University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and started her law enforcement career with the Stoughton Police Department. She also was the handler for the Chetek police therapy dog, K9 Officer Grizz.
Chetek Police Chief Ron Ambrozaitis said Breidenbach’s compassion for the community and the children of the community of Chetek was “remarkable.”
Scheel was not only an officer with the Cameron Police Department, but he also served in the Army National Guard for six years and served in Afghanistan. He graduated from the Law Enforcement Academy in Dec. 2022 and had been with the Cameron Police Department for about one year.
Cameron Police Chief Adam Steffen described Scheel as a “dedicated officer” who was very passionate about his job.
"Our love and condolences go out to both families and all those with whom they served," said Steffen in a press release. "We, as a law enforcement family will do everything possible to continue to provide support and comfort to Hunter and Emily’s families. They will be missed by everyone."
Additional details leading up to the traffic stop and the exchange between the suspect and officers have not yet been released. The Division of Criminal Investigation within the Wisconsin Department of Justice is leading the investigation.
Funeral arrangements with Law Enforcement Honors are still being determined according to a press release from the Cameron and Chetek police departments.
Both Breidenbach and Scheel will be escorted from the medical examiner's office in Ramsey County, MN to the funeral homes by a law enforcement procession on Monday evening.
This continues to be a developing story. Please check back here for more details.