FdL police officer killed, another wounded

FOND DU LAC - A man opened fire on Fond du Lac police during a six-hour standoff at a house, killing one officer and critically wounding another, authorities said.

Officials say Officer Craig Birkholz died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Police were called to the house on the city's west side around 6:30 a.m. Sunday to investigate a sexual assault. Shortly after they arrived, police say the suspect, 30-year-old James Cruckson, started shooting at the officers. SWAT teams surrounded the house during the standoff.

Hours later, Cruckson was found dead inside the house from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Police said Cruckson's sister was in the house at the time. It wasn't immediately clear whether she was injured during the standoff.

"It's very sad that we lost an officer. It's my biggest nightmare and I think it's the biggest nightmare of any police officer or any parent or family member of a police officer," said Fond du Lac Police Chief Tony Barthuly.

Chief Deputy Kevin Lemke says the investigation at the house quickly escalated into a standoff when Cruckson opened fire on police.

"At about 6:30 this morning they were fired upon by a large caliber weapon," said Lemke. "Two officers and a K-9 unit were struck. Officer Craig Birkholz, 28 years old, died as a result of his injury."

After the initial shots a SWAT team and several other agencies came to help. For six hours, police staked out the house on Lincoln Avenue. At one point before 9 a.m., gunfire could again be heard in the neighborhood.

"There was a woman also inside the residence (where the shots were fired) that we did assist," said Lemke.

Police say they don't know exactly who the woman is, but they do say she is safe.

"One of our main concerns at the scene this morning when officers arrived was to check the welfare of a 6-year-old girl that we believed was in the residence," said Lemke.

Officials say that girl wasn't there, but at a residence nearby and also safe. Neighbors near the commotion were also evacuated with armored vehicles and shields as officials tried to end the standoff.

Two other officers now focus on recovery. K-9 Officer Ryan Williams was shot twice in the chest. He was listed in critical condition at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah on Sunday.

Also injured in the incident was Officer Zach Schultz, reportedly injured on a stairwell. He was treated and released.

Police say Cruckson had a criminal history but wouldn't go into specifics.

Police could not say whether any officers returned fire on Cruckson, citing the ongoing investigation.

In a statement, police said the Wisconsin Department of Justice has 22 agents investigating.

Gov. Scott Walker said in a statement Sunday, Birkholz "made the ultimate sacrifice laying down his life while serving his community." Walker went on to say, "While we may not have the words to comfort his loved ones, we assure them that Officer Birkholz's state and community are eternally grateful for his heroic service."