In the late afternoon of July 25, 2018, Milwaukee Police Officer Michael J. Michalski, a 52-year-old White male and a 17-year veteran of the force, was part of a team from the Special Investigations Division searching for a man wanted on multiple warrants, including drug crimes and parole violations. The suspect, Jonathan C. Copeland Jr., had been spotted entering a residence on the 2400 block of North 28th Street.
Earlier that day, Copeland had sent a text message to his wife threatening to shoot police if they came for him.
Members of the police unit entered the home to apprehend Copeland. After a search of the lower level yielded nothing, the officers planned their search of the upper floor. Officer Michalski began to ascend a dimly lit, narrow staircase leading to the second floor. The stairs had a bend, obscuring the view of the landing above. Copeland, aware of the police presence, had run upstairs and, finding the upper unit door locked, became trapped on the landing. For approximately ten minutes, he concealed himself under a pile of laundry and waited.
As Officer Michalski carefully made his way up the stairs, his body camera recorded the tense moments. The footage showed a pile of clothing on the landing. A slight movement from the pile was visible just before the camera's view blurred, consistent with Michalski attempting a rapid retreat. At that instant, Copeland opened fire with a. 45-caliber handgun. Officer Michalski was struck in the head and fell, his body camera going dark. He was immediately incapacitated and never moved again.
Following the initial shots, Copeland pushed out a second-floor window screen and fired at officers who were positioned outside the house. After exchanging gunfire, Copeland ran out of ammunition. He then threw his pistol out of the window and yelled to the officers that his hands were up and not to shoot. He was taken into custody on the stairwell landing. Officer Michalski was rushed to Froedtert Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Jonathan Copeland Jr. was subsequently charged with first-degree intentional homicide. In February 2019, he pleaded guilty. In May of that year, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Officer Michael Michalski.
