Investigators say the deputies involved in a deadly shootout last month did not do anything wrong.

The Chippewa County District Attorney reviewed the case and says the two Rusk County deputies and a DNR warden acted reasonably when using deadly force on a bank robbery suspect. No criminal charges will be filed and the investigation is closed.

Last month, 50-year-old Rudolph P. Frenzer was shot and killed after he exchanged gunfire with a officers. Frenzer and two others are suspects in a bank robbery in Exeland. Rusk County Sheriff David Kaminski says the deputies had no choice.

PRESS RELEASE FROM RUSK COUNTY:

PRESS RELEASE

On Thursday afternoon, November 19, 2009, Rusk County Sheriff David Kaminski received the results of the independent officer involved shooting review conducted by the Chippewa County District Attorney Jon M Theisen

Rusk County District Attorney Kathleen Pakes and Sheriff Kaminski requested DA Theisen to conduct an independent review and analysis of the October 30th incident.

The incident followed the armed robbery of the Dairyland State Bank in Exeland. A high speed pursuit ensued and an exchange of gunfire occurred after a squad had forced the vehicle of the fleeing bank robbery suspect, Rudolph P Frenzer, off of the roadway West of Bruce on Hwy 8.
During an exchange of gunfire, Frenzer was killed by officers returning gunfire.

In his notice to Sheriff Kaminski, DA Theisen concludes “that Rusk County Deputy Wallace, Rusk County Deputy Kummet and Wisconsin Conservation Warden Peery acted reasonably, and were privileged in their subjective decisions to employ deadly force.” Theisen also advised pursuant to these conclusions, he returns the file to the Barron County Sheriff’s Department, Rusk County District Attorney Kathleen Pakes, and the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations with the recommendation that no criminal charges be filed and that any criminal investigation be closed forthwith.

Kaminski advised that the investigation into the shooting conducted by the Barron County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Department of Justice of Criminal Investigation was very thorough and detailed.
Kaminski advised “the conclusion made by DA Theisen was what I had expected as my deputies and Warden Peery had no choice but to take the actions that they did.” Kaminski also advised that he has been in contact with the Wisconsin DNR throughout this investigation and with the results of DA Theisen’s review, both Rusk County deputies will be placed back on full duty with the department. Kaminski was advised by the Wisconsin DNR that Warden Peery will also be placed back on full duty with his department as well.

When unfortunate incidents like this occur, said Kaminski, I am always grateful to be surrounded by professional law enforcement officers who are willing to take the required steps to protect the public. These, and other officers responding to this call, did everything in their power to apprehend a very dangerous felony suspect who chose to put the officers and the public in harms way.