In light of recent tragedies in our community and the loss of law enforcement officers, Eau Claire Police Chief Matt Rokus has offered the following message to the public:
Eau Claire Community Members:
It has been a difficult time for law enforcement in our region. Tragically, three northwest Wisconsin
police officers were killed in the line of duty in less than one month’s time. On April 8, 2023, Chetek
Police Officer Emily Breidenbach and Cameron Police Officer Hunter Scheel were shot to death while
conducting a traffic stop involving a suspect with an arrest warrant. On May 6, 2023 St. Croix County
Sheriff Deputy Kaitie Leising was shot to death while dealing with a suspected impaired driver. These
officer’s families and their home communities are mourning these senseless deaths. Our regional law
enforcement community is also hurting.
One aspect that connects these terrible events is the routine nature of what these three officers were
doing when killed. Every single day Eau Claire Police Officers and all law enforcement officers in our
region perform these typical functions and many more. Whether assisting a stranded motorist,
responding to domestic violence or dealing with an active threat involving a firearm, police officer’s
lives are endangered. Every call for service, traffic-stop and public interaction possesses risk of a tragic
outcome.
It is especially poignant that Kaitie Leising’s funeral occurred only days before National Peace Officers
Memorial Day. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers
Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. National Police
Week pays tribute to law enforcement officers killed or critically injured in the line of duty, as well as
the continued service of all police officers.
Each year, Police Week provides an opportunity to reflect on both the service and sacrifice of Peace
Officers. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, since 1786, almost
24,000 police officers have been killed in the line of duty in the United States. After successive annual
declines in the number of officers killed in the 1990’s, these numbers are again on the rise. Data
collected by the FBI show that both assaults and assaults with injuries committed against law
enforcement officers are also increasing. The peril of being a police officer is reflected both in these
statistics as well as recent local events.
There have been numerous explanations offered for the cause of these troubling trends. One is an
increased rate of violent crime being experienced in many communities. Another is the fewer number of
active police officers working now in comparison to just a few years ago due to increases in early retirements, resignations to pursue other employment and fewer candidates interested in law
enforcement. Other arguments include a rise in social isolation, unmet mental health needs and
addiction. It is unlikely the cause of violence committed against police officers is limited to any one of
these, or other unstated factor.
Police officers bear great responsibility and great personal risk. In order to protect the public, police
officers have the legal authority to arrest, detain, and when necessary use physical force. In other words,
police officers have the legal authority to take away someone’s constitutionally protected rights and perhaps even a person’s life. As a profession we understand and accept the scrutiny that accompanies
this authority.
Police officers also need support. Law enforcement is a noble and honorable profession. As a society,
we ask a lot of our law enforcement officers. Police officers must respond to the symptoms of complex
social issues with courage, compassion and professionalism. Our officers must possess the wisdom and
valor to take decisive steps in the protection of themselves and more importantly other people.
The required scrutiny of policing and the support for this difficult work does not need to be mutually
exclusive. As we all try to process the recent loss of these three public servants, we should all consider
ways to offer support to law enforcement. This support does not need to be a complex or difficult effort.
Your support is needed regardless of how you choose to express it.
Matt Rokus
Eau Claire Chief of Police
