HOBART, Wis. (AP) - A pickup truck smashed into a police squad car Monday, killing two officers in what authorities called a deliberate act.
The pickup’s 27-year-old driver was arrested and taken to the Brown County Jail late Monday after receiving treatment at a hospital, according to the Brown County Sheriff’s Department.
“Our preliminary investigation leads us to believe that this is not an accident but a deliberate act by an individual who carried out his mission to slay two police officers,” Capt. Dennis Kocken said.
Investigators based their conclusion in part on statements by witnesses and the suspect.
“The crime scene itself had no skid marks leading up to the crash. It certainly showed intent on his part,” Kocken said.
The crash killed Robert Etter, 55, and Stephanie Markins, 32, both of the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department.
The pickup, which was driving on Highway 54, smashed into the driver’s side of the squad car at about 4:30 p.m. The squad car was stopped on a side street.
“We believe they happened to be in an unfortunate place, and the suspect took advantage of their location,” Kocken said.
Etter, who was riding in the passenger seat, was thrown from the car. Markins was pinned inside.
Kelley Calkins of Oneida saw the crash as she was driving on Highway 54 with her fiance. She said the pickup swerved into the other lane before hitting the squad car. She talked with the pickup driver before he was taken to the hospital.
“He said, ‘Let me die, just leave me die. I know I am going to prison for life,”’ Calkins said. “He told me, ‘I did this intentionally, this is what I wanted to do.”’
Her fiance, Joshua Van Straten, said he heard the pickup accelerate as it passed.
“I expected them (the police officers) to roll out and give him a ticket, but he didn’t give them a chance,” Van Straten said.
Kocken said investigators will ask the Brown County district attorney to file homicide charges sometime Tuesday. Investigators have no motive in the crime but do not believe the suspect targeted the specific officers, Kocken said.
“I can only guess he also intended to kill himself,” Kocken said.
Etter was training Markins, who joined the department last month, said Hobart-Lawrence Police Chief John Konopacki.
The department formed about a year ago to cover the small towns of Hobart and Lawrence, located near Green Bay. The crash left the department with only two officers and the chief and wrecked its only squad car.
“We’ll get by, we’ll get through it,” Konopacki said. “But right now our focus is on the families of both officers.”
Etter, a 30-year law enforcement veteran and former De Pere police officer, joined the department last year.
Hobart Village President Len Teresinski said he knew both officers well.
“When police become targets, I think we’re in real sad shape in this country,” Teresinski said.