On a tragic day in Montello, Wisconsin, 41-year-old Andrew Krakow, a White male, lost his life. It was June 5, 1990, and Krakow, a conservation warden, was responding to a call for assistance from the Marquette County Sheriff's Department regarding a domestic disturbance. The situation involved a 13-year-old boy who had threatened his mother with a gun, causing her to barricade herself inside their home and call for help.
Before law enforcement could arrive, the teenager drove a pickup
truck to his grandparents' residence to acquire a rifle. Krakow was the first officer to locate the boy and the truck. He radioed in his position, but as he arrived at the house, the youth opened fire, fatally wounding Krakow before he had a chance to exit his vehicle or defend himself.
Shortly after the shooting, deputies from the sheriff's department arrived at the scene. They witnessed the 13-year-old drop the weapon and attempt to flee on foot. A chase ensued, and the boy was quickly apprehended. Following his capture, the teenager was sentenced to confinement at the Lincoln Hills School for Boys near Merrill. He was to remain there until he reached the age of 25. Some reports indicate he was released after serving 12 years.
Andrew Krakow was a respected warden who had served with the Department of Natural Resources since 1976. His death was a significant loss to his community and his colleagues. In his memory, several memorials were established, including the Andrew Krakow Memorial at the Montello Ranger Station and the Andrew Krakow Memorial Public Fishing Area in Montello. The Wisconsin Conservation Warden Association also created the Andrew A. Krakow Memorial Scholarship at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for students pursuing a degree in natural resources.
