A Chadron native working as a sheriff’s deputy in Wisconsin was shot and killed Saturday during a drunk driver stop in Wisconsin about 60-miles east of Minneapolis, MN.
29-year old Katie (Stevens) Leising received emergency aid from passers-by but was pronounced dead at a hospital.
The man who shot her, 34-year old Jeremiah Johnson, took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound about an hour later
Leising, a 2012 graduate of Chadron High School who still has family in Chadron, moved to Wisconsin only last year after 2 years as a deputy in the Black Hills.
St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knudson says as Leising was talking to Johnson, described as “evasive,” about field sobriety tests when he drew a pistol and shot her. She returned fire, but all 3 shots missed as Johnson fled into nearby woods.
Investigators say an officer heard a gunshot in the woods an hour after Leising was shot and saw Johnson fall to the ground.
Sheriff Knudson says Leising’s “infectious smile and personality will be missed by all she touched.”
Pennington County Sheriff Brian Mueller says Leising was “an outstanding law enforcement officer (who) positively impacted many in our county. Most importantly, she was an outstanding human being.”
Leising was a Pennington County deputy from February 2020 until January 2022, serving as a Contract Deputy in Hill City her final 5 months.
So senseless… I have no words.
Sending prayers and ❤️ to Katie’s family.
Heavenly Father please open your arms and surround this grieving family with your comfort and love.
In Jesus name.
Amen