A Wisconsin police officer was shot and killed Wednesday morning while serving a warrant, the police department confirmed. Milwaukee Police Officer Matthew Rittner, 35, was shot while on the city’s south side around 9:20 a.m. on Wednesday, Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales told reporters at a news conference. The officer was rushed to the hospital, where he later died. 5 POLICE OFFICERS INJURED IN HOUSTON SHOOTING, 2 SUSPECTS DEAD, OFFICIALS SAY The suspected shooter, identified as a 26-year-old Milwaukee man named Jordan P. Fricke, was taken into custody without incident, the department said in a statement. Morales said an investigation into the shooting resulted in two arrests. Residents near the shooting scene told Fox affiliate WITI they heard several gunshots. Bob Donovan, an alderman in the Milwaukee community, was one of the first to alert the news station the officer had died. “This has been an incredibly difficult year for the department — now the third officer that has lost his life in the service of Milwaukee. So it’s a sad day for this community,” Donovan said. “It’ll give you an indication of how challenging this work is. And, how we as a community need to rally behind our officers to ensure they have the support and the backing that they deserve.” Assistant Police Chief Michael Brunson told reporters earlier Wednesday that Rittner was a 17-year veteran of the force who began his law enforcement career at a "young age." "This officer was well-loved by everyone on the department," he said. Brunson called the loss "tragic and impactful" for the Milwaukee Police Department. MOTORCYCLE COP WHO SURVIVED SHOT IN FACE LAST YEAR IS KILLED IN COLLISION DURING FUNERAL PROCESSION Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett also lamented the loss of the officer, adding that now is a "very difficult time for our city" and the officer's family. "He was doing his job. He was working to make our city safer. And he died. And he died because an individual decided that rather than allowing the police to do their work lawfully, that he would kill this police officer," the mayor told reporters. Rittner was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who was deployed two times to Iraq, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He survived being hit by roadside bombs three times and was reportedly involved in an hours-long firefight that left one Marine dead. Rittner, who received numerous medals and awards for his service as a police officer, leaves behind a wife and young child, the department said. Barrett said it was the "the third time in eight months that I've had to stand at a podium and talk about the loss of a life of a police officer." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The shooting comes six months after Officer Michael Michalski, also of the Milwaukee Police Department, was shot and killed while chasing a suspect who fired his gun and struck the officer in the head. Milwaukee Officer Charles Irvine Jr., 23, was also killed last June in a car crash. The accident occurred while Irvine Jr. was chasing after a reckless driver. He became the first Milwaukee officer killed in the line of duty since 1996.<doc-sep>MILWAUKEE, WI -- A Milwaukee Police officer has been shot and later died while on the job, according to multiple reports Wednesday morning. Police said the suspect has been arrested, and that the officer was transported to Froedtert Hospital with life-threatening injuries. According to a WISN report , a Milwaukee Police tactical officer was executing a search warrant in the area of S. 12th Street and W. Manitoba St. just after 9 a.m. when he was shot by a suspect. WISN is reporting that the officer has died. According to a FOX6 report , members of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms was at the home where the incident took place early Wednesday and that the FBI is now also on the scene. On the morning of July 25, 2018 police officer Michael Michalski was pursuing a wanted suspect when the suspect shot and killed the officer in the line of duty. Third Milwaukee Officer Dies In Less Than One Year According to two City of Milwaukee police detectives at the time, they saw suspect Jonathan Copeland go into a house on the 2400 block of N. 28th Street on the evening of July 25. Multiple officers planned to go to the house in question to arrest him. Police say they arrived outside the house, a ramshackle side-by-side two-story duplex built in the early 1900's on Milwaukee's near north side. Police split up to search the house. Some searched the main and lower floors. Officer Michalski made the decision to ascend the century-old and dimly-lit wooden stairs to the second floor. The stairs Michalski began to climb turned as they ascended so that the top of the stairs could not be seen from the bottom. As he inched his way forward, he rounded the bend in the stairs. A pile of laundry came into Michalski's view at the top of the stairs, according to police accounts. Department-issue body camera footage recorded Michalski's final few moments alive. According to reports, Michalski saw the pile of laundry move slightly. The camera view suddenly blurs, consistent with Michalski moving rapidly to attempt a retreat. At that instant, gunshots rang out, and the camera view goes black as Michalski falls onto the camera. When fellow officers converged on Michalski's location, they saw him lying motionless on the stairs to the upper floor. Police say Michalski immediately fell after the first gunshot and never moved again. The bullet entered the back of his head, traveled downward and exited his neck. In June 2018, Milwaukee Police officer Charles Irvine, Jr. and his partner were involved in a pursuit of a reckless driver near the intersection of North 76th Street and West Silver Spring Drive. During the high-speed chase, police said the squad car wrecked, rolling over and coming to a rest on a grassy embankment near the 76th Street viaduct, according to a statement from Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales. The suspect's vehicle got away. "It is with great sadness that I stand before you today as the Chief of the Milwaukee Police Department and announce the death of one of our own, 23-year-old Police Officer Charles Irvine Jr.," Morales said. As officers were transported to Froedtert Hospital with serious injuries. Despite attempts by rescue crews and a medical team at Froedtert, Irvine died of his injuries. Dispatchers issued a call later Thursday for all available officers to escort Irvine's body from Froedtert to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's office. Irvine has been with the department for approximately four years. The other officer is in stable condition and is a 36-year-old man with four years of service. "I am extremely saddened to learn of the loss of our fellow officer. This officer gave his life protecting the lives of Milwaukee's citizens. Our thoughts and prayers are with the officer and his family as we mourn this horrific loss," Milwaukee County Sheriff Richard Schmidt said. Image Via Shutterstock<doc-sep>EMBED >More News Videos A Milwaukee police officer was shot on the city's south side. MILWAUKEE -- A 35-year-old Milwaukee police officer was fatally shot Wednesday morning while executing a search warrant on the city's south side.A 26-year-old Milwaukee man was taken into custody.The officer, a 17-year veteran of the department, is the third killed in the line of duty in the last eight months. Officials said he was part of the highly trained and tight-knit Tactical Enforcement Unit. "This is been an incredible difficult year for the department. Now the third officer has lost his life in the service of Milwaukee, so it's a sad day for this community," Ald. Bob Donovan told WISN-TV. First responders were called to the area of South 12th and West Manitoba streets shortly after 9 a.m. They included Milwaukee firefighters and officers from the Marquette University Police Department.The officer, who was not immediately identified, was transported to Froedtert Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.Authorities declined to comment about the nature of the search warrant that was being executed.After the officer was conveyed to the hospital, officers gathered in a circle at the scene and bowed their heads.During an afternoon press briefing, the mayor and deputy police chief asked the public for prayers and support.Officer Charles Irvine was killed June 7 when the squad car he was in rolled near North 76th Street and West Silver Spring Drive. Officer Michael Michalski died July 25. The 17-year veteran of the department was killed in an exchange of gunfire with a man wanted on drug and gun violations.<doc-sep>
Officer is third killed in the line of duty in the last eight months Advertisement Milwaukee officer shot, killed while executing search warrant; suspect in custody Officer is third killed in the line of duty in the last eight months Share Shares Copy Link Copy A Milwaukee tactical officer died Wednesday morning at Froedtert Hospital after being shot while executing a search warrant on the city's south side. Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales identified the fallen officer as Matthew Rittner. Rittner, 35, with 17 years of service with the department, is the third Milwaukee officer to be killed in the line of duty in the last eight months. "This is a very, very, very difficult time for our city, for the Milwaukee Police Department, obviously for the family that's been affected, and we ask for your prayers at this time," Barrett said. "I am filled with sorrow over this needless loss. At the same time I am filled with anger at the individual who took the life of this police officer. "The suspected shooter, 26-year-old Jordan Fricke, was arrested. "The members on scene utilized tremendous restraint during the suspect's apprehension, which is a true testament to the character and professionalism of the men and women of the Milwaukee Police Department," Morales said.Morales said Fricke was wanted for illegal sale of firearms and drugs. First responders were called to the area of South 12th and West Manitoba streets shortly after 9 a.m. They included Milwaukee firefighters and officers from the Marquette University Police Department.Alderman Bob Donovan later confirmed that the officer had passed away from his injuries. "This is been an incredible difficult year for the department. Now the third officer has lost his life in the service of Milwaukee, so it's a sad day for this community," Donovan told WISN 12 NEWS.Officer Charles Irvine was killed June 7 when the squad car he was in rolled near North 76th Street and West Silver Spring Drive. Officer Michael Michalski died July 25. The 17-year veteran of the department was killed in an exchange of gunfire with a man wanted on drug and gun violations.