| By Big Radio News Staff |
The Rock County District Attorney says a Beloit cop was “justified” when he shot a man dead April 28 as the man was swinging a pair of swords and telling police “go ahead and shoot me.”
A D.A.’s investigation into the April police-involved shooting shows Beloit officer Nicholas Rodenbeck shot 33-year-old Beloiter Michael Ward as Ward was out in street on the 1700 block of Ashland Avenue, brandishing a 3-foot-long sword at a woman Ward knew.
According to a D.A.’s report, which was released Thursday, Rodenbeck fired six shots at Ward, some of which struck Ward in the chest. Rodenbeck fired the shots because police say Ward was rushing toward the woman with the swords. The woman was in desperation, trying to reason with Ward to put down the blades and surrender.
The D.A.’s report shows Ward was more intent on swinging the swords and telling police to shoot him, even after officers had told him multiple times to drop the blades and surrender.
It was the second time police had been to the Ashland Avenue residence that morning. They say Ward was smashing up the woman’s belongings, holding a hunting knife to his own throat, and threatening to kill himself or commit “suicide by cop.”
Both the D.A. and the state’s Division of Criminal Investigation say body cam and squad cam video along with witness statements show Rodenbeck’s actions were justified to protect the woman Ward was approaching with swords.
The DA’s report says the 3-year veteran cop Rodenbeck gave Ward emergency care until paramedics arrived.
Beloit police Chief Andre Sayles oozed support for Rodenbeck in the following, written statement released on Thursday by the city of Beloit:
“I stand firmly by Officer Rodenbeck and his commitment to upholding the law and protecting the residents of our community. Our officers are trained to make split-second decisions under extreme pressure, and in this instance, Officer Rodenbeck’s actions were necessary to prevent harm.
We understand that this outcome does not ease the pain for the family and friends of Mr. Michael Ward, who lost his life. Our hearts go out to them during this difficult time. Losing a loved one is never easy, and the circumstances surrounding such a loss can be particularly challenging. We extend our deepest condolences.
Our department remains dedicated to transparency and accountability. We will continue to work tirelessly to foster trust and strengthen our relationship with the community. This incident underscores the complexities and dangers our officers face daily, and we are committed to providing them with the training and resources needed to navigate these challenges safely and effectively.
We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as the investigation was conducted. Moving forward, we will continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of all community members and strive to prevent such tragic events.”
