Man shot, killed in Beaver Dam following standoff with police

DODGE COUNTY -- "Suicide by cop," -- that's allegedly the motive behind an officer-involved shooting that took place at the Spring Lake Apartments located on Woodland Drive in Beaver Dam Friday evening, August 5th. The Dodge County Sheriff's Office says a welfare check on a suicide ended tragically when the man fired a gun at an officer. 

Beaver Dam Police Chief John Kreuziger and Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt, say every effort was made to end the situation peacefully and safely. However, two hours after the initial call, investigators say the troubled man fired a shot at a deputy sheriff.

Traffic in and out of the Spring Lake Apartments was cut off Friday night, when police were called to the area around 6:45 p.m.

"Information received was the male subject was making statements threatening suicide to friends," said Chief Kreuziger.

Officers located an unarmed man in a second floor apartment. 

"Contact was made with the subject and he indicated he wished to end his life suicide by cop," said Chief Kreuziger.

Beaver Dam Police Chief John Kreuziger

Chief Kreuziger says negotiations began with the man and the Dodge County Sheriff's Office was called to help.

"The suspect was seen on the balcony, by myself and other deputies, waiving a firearm around in a very dangerous manner," said Kreuziger.

Sheriff Schmidt says approximately two hours after the initial call, the man on the balcony fired a shot at a nine-year veteran of the Dodge County Sheriff's Office.

"Unfortunately, the suspect turned his weapon on a deputy sheriff and fired. The deputy sheriff involved returned fire in effort to stop the threat," said Schmidt.

Spring Lake Apartments

Sheriff Schmidt says the man in the balcony was hit by the officer's returning fire and died from his injuries. The deputy was unharmed.

Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt

"Our thoughts and prayers certainly go out to the decedent's family as well as the family of the deputy involved," said Schmidt.

"Police had the street blocked off, Woodland Drive was blocked off," said Mike Bruxvoort, lives near scene of incident.

Mike Bruxvoort says he had to get the OK from officials before making it home Friday night around 10:00 p.m.

"When I tried to get in I said I live right around the corner here. I could see they were further down here by the apartments, so after a little coaxing he let me in," said Bruxvoort. 

The sheriff is not releasing the name of the deputy involved in the shooting, as well as the name of the man killed at the scene.