In the early morning hours of Sunday, November 18, 1990, a call came in about a burglary in progress at the North Avenue Smoke Shop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sergeant Michael R. Tourmo, a 36-year-old Caucasian male and an 18-year veteran of the Milwaukee Police Department, was the first officer to arrive at the scene at 2533 W. North Ave. Upon his arrival at 6:55 a.m., he encountered two suspects and immediately began a foot pursuit.
The chase weaved through several yards in the
neighborhood as Sergeant Tourmo resolutely pursued the fleeing men. Tragically, one of the suspects fired multiple shots, as many as eight or nine, at the pursuing officer. One of these bullets struck Sergeant Tourmo in the head. Other officers who had joined the chase continued the pursuit. One of the suspects eventually surrendered to the police, and the other, after a short distance, threw down his weapon and also surrendered.
Following the shooting, a third suspect who was not part of the initial chase was arrested nearby in connection with the break-in. All three men, aged 20, 29, and 30, were reported to have extensive criminal records. The suspect who shot Sergeant Tourmo was ultimately convicted of first-degree murder.
Sergeant Tourmo was a dedicated officer who had served the Milwaukee Police Department for just under 18 years. He was survived by his wife, Brenda, and their three children, all of whom were under the age of five at the time of his death. His death was a profound loss to his family, his colleagues, and the community he served.
