Milwaukee police officer killed in shooting; suspect wanted on drug and gun offenses

Ashley Luthern , Taylor Palmby | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Show Caption Hide Caption MPD Chief Morales on the fatal police shooting MPD Chief Alfonso Morales addressed the media on the fatal police shooting.

A Milwaukee police officer was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire with a suspect wanted on drug and gun offenses, Police Chief Alfonso Morales said Wednesday.

The suspect has been arrested and was not wounded in the shooting, Morales said. A weapon was recovered at the scene, he said, and there are no other suspects.

The fatal shooting is the second line-of-duty death of a Milwaukee police officer this summer.

UPDATE: A department in mourning: Milwaukee police chief to give update on officer shot and killed; suspect still in custody

Officers had gone to the 2400 block of North 28th Street about 5 p.m. Wednesday to check for a person wanted on drug and gun violations, Morales said.

The officers encountered the suspect at a residence; he then opened fire on the officers, the chief said.

In the exchange of gunfire, one officer, a 17-year department veteran, was wounded.

“I’m saddened to inform you that the officer that was injured did not make it today," Morales said, his voice cracking.

"And it's a difficult time for the Police Department," he said, adding the officer "was well loved by the department and a friend of mine."

In a news release, Milwaukee police said they won't release the fallen officer's name until Thursday.

Police said the suspect was arrested in the 2800 block of West Meinecke Street.

Morales stressed the information on the case was preliminary and could change as the investigation unfolded.

The officer was taken to Froedtert Hospital, according to Milwaukee Fire Deputy Chief David Votsis.

One other person was wounded in the shooting, Votsis said.

Officers tearfully hugged one another as they participated in the procession escorting the fallen officer from Froedtert Hospital.

Motorcycles led the procession to the Medical Examiner's Office where hundreds of officers were gathered to salute their brother. The salute was followed by a short speech from Morales and a prayer.

Milwaukee Police are on the scene of a critical incident where an officer was shot. Suspect is in custody. Media is to stage on 27th and North Ave for escort to 6:30p briefing location. pic.twitter.com/dhGugwbtXI — Milwaukee Police (@MilwaukeePolice) July 25, 2018

Officers swarmed the scene in Metcalfe Park after the shooting, marking off streets with tape and cones. Officers also could be seen at the doors of Froedtert.

'Words cannot describe the sorrow'

Mayor Tom Barrett responded to the scene in Metcalfe Park and asked every resident to pray for the families of the city's police officers.

"Words cannot describe the sorrow and anger I feel at this moment," Barrett said.

"This officer had been on the department a long time. Well respected, well liked, and was doing what he was hired to do — to protect us," he said.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm and members of the state Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation also were at the scene. Gov. Scott Walker offered condolences in an online post.

The shooting comes nearly two months after the death of another Milwaukee police officer.

Charles "Chuckie" Irvine Jr. was killed after the squad he was in crashed on the city's northwest side during a pursuit of a reckless driver.

RELATED: 'He laid down his life protecting his friends, the citizens': MPD Officer Charles Irvine Jr. remembered at funeral

Irvine was a passenger in the squad car, and his partner, the driver, also was injured. The fleeing driver was arrested and is facing multiple felony charges.

Irvine was the first Milwaukee officer killed in the line of duty in 22 years.

Police at the scene of fatal police shooting Police and officials investigate the scene where a Milwaukee officer was fatally shot Wednesday near North 28th and West Wright streets in Milwaukee.

Officer Wendolyn O. Tanner was fatally shot during a foot pursuit of a suspect in 1996 in an open area behind a home in the 4800 block of North 21st Street.

Tanner was awaiting the birth of his first child.

Tanner was the first African-American Milwaukee police officer shot and killed in the line of duty. The shooter, a three-time felon, was sentenced to life in prison.

In 2016, Tanner was honored at the Greater Milwaukee Law Enforcement Memorial. At the ceremony, his daughter, Shamiah Tanner, told reporters: "It's difficult not to have met him. It's difficult to live with that."

Mary Spicuzza, Jesse Garza and Samantha West of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.