The St. Croix County Sheriff’s Deputy killed Saturday evening has been identified as 29-year-old Kaitie Leising.
Leising was gunned down during an O.W.I. investigation in the township of Glenwood.
According to a Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) press release:
At approximately 6:15 p.m., St. Croix County Sheriff’s Deputy Kaitie Leising, age 29, with approximately 3 years of law enforcement service, was dispatched for a report of a potential drunk driver in a ditch.
Upon arrival at the scene, Deputy Leising encountered the driver of the vehicle in a ditch along with another vehicle of individuals that stopped to assist the individual. Deputy Leising requested the individual, Jeremiah D. Johnson, age 34, participate in field sobriety tests before returning to his vehicle. Johnson was evasive to Deputy Leising’s requests and after approximately 8 minutes of dialogue, Johnson turned toward Deputy Leising, drew a handgun and shot her. After being struck, Deputy Leising discharged her weapon three times, but none of the rounds hit Johnson before he fled to the nearby wooded area. This incident was captured on body camera.
The occupants of the assisting vehicle immediately began lifesaving measures on Deputy Leising, who was transported to a local hospital where she died.
Additional officers responded and began searching the wooded area near the scene. Approximately an hour after Deputy Leising had been shot, a law enforcement officer observed Johnson, heard a gunshot, and witnessed him collapse to the ground. During the search for Johnson no law enforcement discharged their weapons. A handgun was recovered at the scene where Johnson was located deceased.
There is no threat to the community.
DCI is leading this investigation and is assisted by numerous neighboring law enforcement agencies, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin State Crime Lab and a DCI Crime Response Specialist. All involved law enforcement are fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation.
St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knudson said Deputy Leising served with the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office since 2022. Sheriff Knusdon said funeral arrangements with Law Enforcement Honors are pending.
