2 WI Police Officers Killed In Traffic Stop Shootout

CAMERON, WI — Two police officers from different towns were killed Saturday in a shootout that happened during a traffic stop, state authorities said.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating the shooting that also killed a third person who was involved in the traffic stop, the department said in a statement issued Saturday night.

The shooting happened about 3:40 p.m. in Cameron, a small town in Barron County about an hour north of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

The state justice department statement said an officer from the Chetek Police Department was conducting the traffic stop when gunfire was exchanged. A Chetek officer and a Cameron police officer died at the scene, the statement said.

The "involved individual" in the traffic stop was taken to a hospital and did not survive, the statement said.

Neither police officer was identified, nor was the person who died at the hospital.

Chetek is 15 minutes south of Cameron. State authorities did not say why the officer from Chetek was conducting the traffic stop in Cameron.

"There is no threat to the community," state authorities said.

The state justice department's Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation, assisted by the Barron County Sheriff’s Office, Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin State Crime Lab and a DCI Crime Response Specialist, state authorities said.

"All involved law enforcement are fully cooperating," the statement said. "DCI is continuing to review evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over investigative reports to the Barron County District Attorney when the investigation concludes."

Law enforcement agencies from across Wisconsin and beyond were sending their condolences to the two police departments and the families and friends of the two officers.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Cameron and Chetek Police Departments," the Barron County Sheriff's Department wrote on Facebook.

"The Appleton Police Department extends our deepest sympathies to our law enforcement partners in the Barron County area tonight," that department wrote. "We stand in solidarity with the Chetek Police Department and Village of Cameron Police Department during this difficult time, and offer our sincerest condolences and support. Our hearts go out to the families of the officers, as well as to their colleagues, friends, and the communities they served.

"The sacrifice made by these officers is immeasurable and cannot be understated. Rest easy heroes, we have the watch from here," they wrote.