Barron County Officers Killed

Saturday, the day before Easter, tragedy struck in Barron County, WI. Two officers from different agencies were gunned down while attempting a traffic stop on an individual known to be dangerous and with some history with the law. One officer was on the force for only one year after a tour in Afghanistan. The other officer was on for about 5 years.

The lead chaplain of many of the agencies in that county, Cody (see pic below), is an ICPC member and asked if some of us could come and help out. DUE TO YOUR SUPPORTING ME, I was able to jump, leave Tuesday AM, and stay through Sunday. Officers, the affected families, and many in the community were reeling over what just took place. Comfort, processing, and knowledgeable ears were needed greatly.

I had the privilege of spending much of my time with some of the Barron PD officers. Much of our time was spent in the office throughout the night just talking. I was honored to be able to ride along with three of the officers while they did their first traffic stops after the event. Each was hesitant to different degrees, and rightly so. Then we debriefed some afterward. One of those nights, we had to wrestle an intoxicated individual into cuffs over suicidal intentions and stand guard over him in the hospital, hauling him back onto the bed numerous times as he tried to escape, over and over. The officer honored me many times telling everyone how the Chaplain “threw down” with him to get the person under control.

Cody asked me to be at one of the officer’s funerals on Thursday while he was at the other, as they were being held at the same time. Honor guards took shifts every 15 minutes standing guard over the deceased officers (the entire week from the hospital to the grave, through the funeral, memorial, to the burial.

Then on the following Saturday, we all helped out at the huge law enforcement memorial service that took place at the high school (and middle school, and another place across the street). It’s quite the thing. About 100 honor guard were there to man positions, stand guard, and direct people. About 1,000 officers from around the nation (and Canada) were there with their vehicles for the procession after the service. I saw many officers from the DNR, State Patrol, and Sheriffs and Chiefs that I have been getting to know over the years while attending their conferences and helping them set up chaplain programs in their agencies. Knowing looks, firm handshakes, nods of respect, and greetings, I was posted to usher people into the viewing lines to pay respects to the fallen and to their families.

After the service, the chaplains went to Cody’s church, Maranatha Evangelical Free, to help serve the officers a meal before they left for their respective hometowns. I was able to have more conversations with many officers about what happened and about chaplaincy in their agencies. Good discussions.

The church was amazing with how much they do for the officers in their community. They are even hosting a HUGE law enforcement K9 training event at their facilities, feeding the officers from all over the state and allowing the use of their buildings for drug-sniffing training, etc.

One of the officers I spent time with asked if we could keep in touch.

I left weary but with a full heart.

Please pray for their continuing healing and that they find their strength and hope in Jesus through this horrible event.