BELOIT, Wis. (WFRV) – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has identified the 33-year-old man and Beloit Police officer involved in last week’s critical incident.
Authorities identified the suspect in the incident as Michael P. Ward, and the officer involved was Nicholas S. Rodenbeck.
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Officer Rodenbeck, with three years of law enforcement service, shot Ward, who was wielding two bladed weapons while advancing toward another individual. Officers instructed Ward to put down the weapons, but he did not comply.
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Lifesaving measures were performed, and Ward was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No law enforcement officers or other individuals were injured during the incident.
Officer Rodenbeck remains on administrative leave, per agency policy.
