On the morning of February 6, 2019, Matthew Rittner, a 35-year-old White male and a 17-year veteran of the Milwaukee Police Department, was part of a tactical unit serving a no-knock search warrant. The warrant was for the residence of a man suspected of illegally selling firearms and drugs. As Officer Rittner and his team attempted to breach the door of the duplex on South 12th Street, their presence was announced.
It was at this moment that the suspect inside unleashed a volley of gunfire through the very door the officers were trying to enter.
Struck in the chest by a round from an AK-47, Officer Rittner was critically wounded. His fellow officers rushed him to Froedtert Hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal. The man responsible for the shooting, 26-year-old Jordan P. Fricke, was taken into custody at the scene. In the immediate aftermath, Fricke claimed he was unaware that it was police at his door, stating he only heard a loud noise and yelling, though he did admit to hearing the word "police." His girlfriend, who was present during the incident, contradicted his account, confirming that she heard the officers identify themselves.
Following his arrest, Jordan P. Fricke was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, and maintaining a drug trafficking place. During his trial, the defense argued that Fricke acted in self-defense, believing his home was being invaded. However, a jury found him guilty on all counts in July 2019. In October of that same year, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The judge in the case noted that the life Fricke chose to lead contributed to his decision to open fire that tragic morning.
