A Milwaukee police officer killed in the line of duty Wednesday morning served three tours of duty in the Middle East and survived multiple improvised explosive device attacks and a four-hour firefight. Matthew Rittner, 35, was killed by gunfire while executing a search warrant."For Matt, the war never ended. Matt went right back to taking the fight to the enemy on the streets and continuing to wear body armor and carry weapons every day," said Ryan Lackey, a fellow Marine and friend of Rittner. The Greenfield High School graduate enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003, two years after his graduation. He served with the Fox Company, then came home to marry and have a child, only to die on the streets of Milwaukee while serving his community. "One of the best Marines and police officers I ever met. And like an influential part of my life is gone and done,” said Max Zaruba, a fellow Marine and friend of Rittner.Rittner was their fire team leader in the 3rd Platoon, Fox Company in the Second Battle of Fallujah, Iraq. "He was the eminently qualified professional at everything he did, whether it was being a Marine or being a police officer," Lackey said. Rittner was among a group of officers who received received Merit Awards for the work they did in connection with a 2015 home invasion and hostage situation. The 35-year-old served with the Milwaukee Police Department for 17 years. "I am filled with sorrow over this needless loss," Mayor Tom Barrett said at an afternoon press conference. Rittner was the third Milwaukee police officer to die in the line of duty within the last eight months.

A Milwaukee police officer killed in the line of duty Wednesday morning served three tours of duty in the Middle East and survived multiple improvised explosive device attacks and a four-hour firefight.

Matthew Rittner, 35, was killed by gunfire while executing a search warrant.

"For Matt, the war never ended. Matt went right back to taking the fight to the enemy on the streets and continuing to wear body armor and carry weapons every day," said Ryan Lackey, a fellow Marine and friend of Rittner.



The Greenfield High School graduate enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003, two years after his graduation. He served with the Fox Company, then came home to marry and have a child, only to die on the streets of Milwaukee while serving his community.

"One of the best Marines and police officers I ever met. And like an influential part of my life is gone and done,” said Max Zaruba, a fellow Marine and friend of Rittner.

Rittner was their fire team leader in the 3rd Platoon, Fox Company in the Second Battle of Fallujah, Iraq.

"He was the eminently qualified professional at everything he did, whether it was being a Marine or being a police officer," Lackey said.

Rittner was among a group of officers who received received Merit Awards for the work they did in connection with a 2015 home invasion and hostage situation.

The 35-year-old served with the Milwaukee Police Department for 17 years.

"I am filled with sorrow over this needless loss," Mayor Tom Barrett said at an afternoon press conference.

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Rittner was the third Milwaukee police officer to die in the line of duty within the last eight months.