Emily Breidenbach, a 32-year-old police officer from the Chetek Police Department, tragically lost her life on April 8, 2023, in Cameron, Wisconsin. The incident occurred during a routine traffic stop that quickly escalated into a deadly shootout. Breidenbach, along with her colleague Hunter Scheel, a 23-year-old officer from the Cameron Police Department, were both killed in the line of duty.
The fatal encounter took place at approximately 3:39 PM when Breidenbach and Scheel pulled over
50-year-old Glenn Douglas Perry of New Auburn. The stop was initiated to check on Perry's welfare, as there was an active warrant for his arrest. During the interaction, Perry suddenly produced a rifle, leading to an exchange of gunfire. Both officers were shot and killed within a 45-second span.
Breidenbach, who joined the Chetek police force in 2019, was known for her dedication to her work and her role in handling the department's therapy dog, Officer Grizz. She had previously served with the Stoughton Police Department in Dane County for nine months. Breidenbach's goal was to follow in her father's footsteps, who was a former Chetek Police Chief.
The suspect, Glenn Douglas Perry, also died after being transported to a nearby hospital. Court records revealed that Perry had a history of legal troubles, including a recent bench warrant issued for failing to appear in court. He had also been charged twice for domestic violence-related offenses in 2020.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation conducted a thorough review of the incident. On May 19, 2023, the Barron County District Attorney's office released a report concluding that both Officer Breidenbach and Officer Scheel were justified in their use of deadly force. The report stated that the officers 'acted lawfully in self-defense and defense of others, and were privileged in using deadly force'.
The loss of Emily Breidenbach and Hunter Scheel deeply affected the small communities of Chetek and Cameron, which have populations of around 2,000 residents each. The tragedy brought these communities closer together, with over 1,000 people attending a candlelight vigil to honor the fallen officers. The incident also garnered national attention, prompting an outpouring of condolences from law enforcement agencies across the country and from Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.
