Documents Reveal Final Moments Of Fallen Milwaukee Officer's Life

MILWAUKEE, WI -- Authorities in Milwaukee County say Jordan P. Fricke fired four shots at Milwaukee police officers on the morning of Feb. 6 as they attempted to break his apartment door down in order to conduct a search warrant.

Investigators say one of those gunshots, fired from Fricke's AK-47 pistol, pierced the body of officer Matthew Rittner near his left shoulder, traveled through his left lung, his aorta and his right lung. Rittner was given emergency treatment at the scene and rushed to Froedtert Hospital. He did not survive.

Ritter served 17 years with the Milwaukee Police department, starting as a police aide in 2001. He served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps. The 35-year old leaves behind a wife and young son.

On the morning of Feb. 6, Milwaukee police were assigned to conduct a "no knock" search warrant at Fricke's apartment that morning. Police say they employed an informant to determine that Fricke was a small-time drug dealer and a weapons trafficker.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee County, the informant told police that Fricke would rely on associates to legally purchase firearms at gun shows. Fricke would then turn around and sell those guns on the street for a profit.

That morning, nine members of Milwaukee Police Tactical Enforcement Unit approached Fricke's apartment located on the 2900 block of S. 12th Street, police said.

Wearing black ballistic helmets, and protective vests with the word "Police" printed in block letters, the officers approached the 2-flat from the back alley, according to police.

With two blows, the tactical team breached the building's back door on the first floor. Rittner was second in line, carrying a one-man ram that would later be used to breach the second-floor door leading to Fricke's apartment, reports said.

Police said Fricke was asleep in his apartment with his girlfriend at his side as officers climbed the steps. As officers yelled "search warrant, Milwaukee police," Rittner delivered three blows to the apartment door, blasting a hole in its center, according to the complaint.

According to police, Fricke admitted the ram's blows to the door woke him from his sleep. Police said Fricke admitted to grabbing an AK-47, seeing someone through the hole in the door and firing four gunshots through it. When questioned by police, Fricke admitted his AK-47 pistol was a powerful weapon, and that if anyone were to be struck by it, it would probably mean death, according to the criminal complaint.

Police said officers on the scene heard the four shots fired from inside. They watched as Rittner dropped to the floor after being struck. Reports indicated that the lead officer then stepped toward the hole in the door, aimed his rifle into the apartment and saw Fricke standing with his hands in the air. The team hurried Rittner to ground-level, rendering emergency aid as an ambulance raced to the scene. He made it to Froedtert clinging to life, reports said.

Fricke was arrested without further incident, and has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the death of Rittner, according to police. If convicted, Fricke faces life in prison without parole.

Milwaukee Police have announced public visitation and funeral plans for Rittner. A public visitation will be held Wednesday, Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Oak Creek Assembly of God Church, 7311 S. 13th Street in Oak Creek.

A police procession will be held following police honors, and will travel from the church to the Krause Funeral Home at 21600 W. Capitol Drive in Brookfield.

Image Via Milwaukee Police