Waukesha Man Killed in Officer Involved Shooting 'A Proud Patriot'

WAUKESHA, WI — The 64-year-old Waukesha man who died this week after he reportedly engaged in an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement late Sunday night on the 2000 block of Sunkist Ave. has been identified as William C. Brewster.

According to an obituary posted on the Randle and Dable Funeral Home website, Brewster entered the Army when he was just 17 years old and was a proud patriot.

He was an avid softball player, golfer, and lover of sports, was an umpire for the local softball leagues and tournaments for many years.

In his job as a truck driver he excelled and loved the work that he could do to help people move their belongings from coast to coast.

The obituary continues: "He enjoyed raising chickens, generously giving eggs to neighbors and friends."

Shots Fired

On June 18, 2017 at 8:04 p.m., the City of Waukesha Police Department responded to a call from a female caller reporting that a male wanted to kill himself with a gun, that he was in the backyard, and that he had been drinking and was armed with a handgun.

Officers responded along with additional units from the Waukesha Sheriff’s Department and the New Berlin Police Department as well as New Berlin’s K9 Unit. Brewster was reportedly armed with a .45 caliber handgun and the officers attempted to establish a good rapport with the suspect for over an hour and a half.

According to police, Brewster at times, pointed the gun in the air, and had it pointed at his chin.

According to police reports, Brewster engaged Waukesha county sheriff's deputies with the gun at 8:47 p.m. By 9:42 p.m. police reports, that there were shots fired, and the man was reported down. He was taken into custody at 9:49 p.m. By 9:52 p.m., police reports indicated that officers exchanged gunfire.

Brewster reportedly disobeyed officers’ commands and forced officers to fire at the suspect to prevent further imminent danger to themselves and the community.

He was struck by officers. The officers rendered immediate medical attention and evacuated him to awaiting advanced medical care, and prior to Flight-for- Life transport, he passed away. No officers or civilians were injured by the suspect.

The experience of the involved officers ranges from 1 years to 5 years of service. The involved officers have been placed on paid administrative leave during the initial investigation per policy.

The Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is conducting the investigation.

Based on the preliminary information gathered at this point, Police Chief Russel Jack believes that the officers acted within departmental policy and statutory authority. They risked their lives to fulfill the mission statement of the Waukesha Police Department; “A Pledge to Serve with Integrity, Honor, and Courage.”

Police will coordinate with DCI to release more information as the investigation continues.

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