The Chetek and Cameron, Wisconsin, police officers who were shot and killed during a traffic stop were named by family members as Emily Breidenbach and Hunter Scheel. Both officers were lauded as heroes. They were described as compassionate and caring officers who were devoted to the communities they served.
In both cases, videos emerged showing the officers interacting with the community and engaging with youth.
They died in the line of duty on April 8, 2023. According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the suspect also died.
TRAGEDY IN WISCONSIN: Outside the Chetek Police Department, folks have been leaving remembrances of the fallen officer. This squad car has turned into a makeshift memorial outside the department. @KARE11 pic.twitter.com/GT50pSWphn
— Dave Peterlinz (@DPet_KARE11News) April 9, 2023
One community member shared a photo of the two officers side-by-side, along with their badge numbers, and wrote, “It’s been an honor to work with the both of you. Both such good officers and both so motivated. You each loved your job so much and were always willing to help anyone in need. 608 and 614 you are both so missed already. Words can not describe the pain everyone is feeling with the loss off you two.”
At approximately 3:38 p.m., “an officer from Chetek Police Department conducted a traffic stop. During the traffic stop, gunfire was exchanged,” the DOJ’s release said. “One Chetek Police Officer and one Cameron Police Officer were pronounced deceased at the scene,” according to the release.
Emily Breidenbach, Chetek PD
According to her LinkedIn page, Breidenbach worked as a Chetek officer for four years and was also an officer in Stoughton.
She held a number of jobs working in asset protection for Cabela’s, Kohl’s, and Macy’s stores in Green Bay and Madison.
She had degrees from UW-Green Bay and Northcentral Technical College.
In 2019, Breidenbach was honored with a sunshine award from WEAU-TV. She was the daughter of the former Pardeeville, Wisconsin, police chief, following her father into a law enforcement career.
“I really think Emily Breidenbach, of the Chetek Police Department, should get a Sunshine Award. She has been an amazing person. Emily always tries to stop and shoot the breeze with you or if she is sitting, watching the traffic, she will take time out and chat and I think that is really neat of her,” wrote Tessa Anderson, according to WEAU.
“If I am in a down mood, Emily always has a way of cheering you up with her smile or her bubbly, cheerful mood. If I ever have questions on something she always has an answer. I want to thank Emily for the friendship as well as all the help and chats. I feel that if I ever need to go and talk to someone when I need help she would be the one that I would feel the most comfortable with. Emily always makes it easy to be yourself and she makes you feel like you’re not just another person in the world. I want to thank her for everything she is doing for not only me, but for the whole community.”
Breidenbach was featured in many pictures on the Chetek Police Department’s Facebook page in charitable situations and reading to kids. She attended a Female Enforcers training seminar in Green Bay in 2020.
Hunter Scheel, Cameron PD
Family members and friends remembered Scheel in Facebook tributes.
Jessica Janota shared a tribute to Scheel, writing, “I would like to thank everyone who has called, texted, or reached out in anyway. I don’t have words to describe how I feel. We will have details regarding the funeral in the next couple days. We can’t share details about what happened yet, just know that he went down fighting and he will forever be my hero. Hunter, my sweet boy, I will love and miss you always and forever.”
Adam Staff shared a video of Scheel, writing that the officer was a “kind, responsible, honorable young man who loved helping those around him.” The video shows Scheel letting a young boy check out his squad car.
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