Milwaukee Police Officer Killed On His Way Home From Night Shift

MILWAUKEE, WI -- Authorities in Milwaukee say a police officer with two years of service time had just finished up working the night shift. He got into his car and was heading home. He never made it.

Milwaukee Police officer Kou Her was killed early Tuesday morning when the car he was driving was hit by another vehicle at the intersection of N. 60th Street and W. Capitol Drive during the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 18, police said.

According to witness statements, the driver of the striking vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, drove through a red light, and collided with Her’s vehicle. Police said the suspect, a 34-year-old Milwaukee man, then fled the scene on foot.

Police say that the suspect is currently on probation for his fourth drunk driving offense. Her is 27 years old, and is a two year veteran of the Milwaukee Police Department, police officials said.

A U.S. flag-draped gurney containing the body of Her arrived at the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office on the morning of June 18. The somber scene unfolded as uniformed officers walked the gurney into the building. Dozens of officers - both uniformed and plain-clothed - were joined by loved ones in salute as he was brought inside.

"This is a difficult time, as we've had before in the last year, to lose a police officer," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in a statement. "I want the residents of this city to know and to appreciate the work that's done by our police officers."

Authorities say Her was transported to Froedtert Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Her was married, and is survived by six brothers, two sisters, a mother and father.

In a WISN-12 report, Milwaukee Alderman Cavalier Johnson shared his views of the intersection where Her was killed.

"I am actually kind of sick to my stomach. That's an intersection I travel through and that my family travels through," said Johnson. "It's sad, it's tragic and it's unnecessary. The Milwaukee Police Department has sacrificed so much."