Dodge Co. Sheriff's officials ID man shot and killed in "suicide by cop" incident in Beaver Dam
DODGE COUNTY -- Officials with the Dodge County Sheriff's Office have identified a man shot and killed during a standoff in Beaver Dam on Friday, August 5th.
The man has been identified as 59-year-old James Quealy of Beaver Dam.
Sheriff's officials say the name of the deputy sheriff who fired in this case is not being released at this time, at the request of the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation -- pending their investigation.
Dodge County Sheriff's officials said the motive behind this incident was "suicide by cop."
The fatal officer-involved shooting happened at the Spring Lake Apartments -- located on Woodland Drive in Beaver Dam.
According to the Sheriff's Office, a welfare check on a suicidal man ended tragically -- when the man fired a gun at an officer.
Beaver Dam Police Chief John Kreuziger and Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt said every effort was made to end the situation peacefully and safely. However, two hours after the initial call, investigators said the troubled man fired a shot at a deputy sheriff.
Traffic in and out of the Spring Lake Apartments was cut off Friday night. 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 said 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, waving a firearm around in a very dangerous manner," said Kreuziger.
Sheriff Schmidt said 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 said the man on the balcony was hit by the deputy sheriff's return fire -- and died from his injuries. The deputy was unharmed.
"Our thoughts and prayers certainly go out to the decedent's family as well as the family of the deputy involved," said Schmidt.
