Officers On Leave While State Investigates Goodman ShootingIssue Date: November 5, 2020 The five Marinette County Sheriff's Department officers who were involved in the shooting death of a murder suspect in Goodman on Friday, Oct. 23 will remain on administrative leave until after the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation turns its findings over to District Attorney DeShea Morrow and she makes a determination on how to proceed.
The murder suspect killed by officers has been identified as John R. Lipski, 62, of Milwaukee, and the man investigators believe to have been shot and killed by Lipski was Richard J. Gibbs, also 62, and also from Milwaukee. They were reportedly co-owners of the dwelling in Goodman, where they came for hunting and other recreational pursuits.
The officers involved, each with their years of experience in law enforcement, have been identified by the DOJ as Lt. Barry Degnitz, 27 years; Deputy Jesse Parker, 19 years; Deputy Patrick Callahan, 4 years; Deputy Dave Oginski, 15 years, and Deputy Steve Schmidt, 12 years.
Morrow said DOJ investigations generally take three or four weeks to complete, and the officers cannot return to duty until her office receives results of the investigation and she makes a determination on how to proceed.
The investigation began after officers responded to a call to Marinette County's 911 Dispatch center reporting that someone had been shot in a home in the 600 block of 5th Street, almost directly across from the Goodman football field.
Marinette County Sheriff Jerry Sauve said a man they believe to have been Lipski called Emergency Dispatch Friday evening to report the shooting at the home.
The officers were sent to investigate found Gibbs dead in the home. The suspect, Lipski, was also there, but fled in a vehicle when sheriff's department officers arrived, Sauve said.
The DOJ report also stated the male victim, Gibbs, was dead found dead in the home, and Lipski fled when officers arrived.
Law enforcement followed the fleeing suspect's vehicle, and when it came to a stop the individual exited and pointed a fire arm at the officers, who then fire at, and struck, the individual who was later identified as Lipski, who succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
It was subsequently confirmed that Lipski did perpetrate the murder of Gibbs, according to a statement from the DOJ. No officers were injured during the incident.
Marinette County Sherif's Departments investigating the death of Gibbs, and DCI is investigating the officer involved shooting that resulted in Lipski's death.
DCI reports that all involved law enforcement are fully cooperating with their investigation. They are continuing to review evidence and determine the facts of the incident and will turn investigative reports over to the Marinette County District Attorney when their investigation concludes.
Meanwhile, with five officers on administrative leave, the department is short handed and remaining officers are being required to work considerable amounts of overtime.
Also assisting in these investigations are Marinette County District Attorney, Marinette County Medical Examiner, Goodman Fire and Rescue, Florence County Sheriff's Office, Forest County Sheriff's Office, Marinette Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, DOJ Office of Crime Victim Services, and the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratories.
Recent stories, opinions and photos
|
| |
|
Yes
No
Undecided
