Feds to review police shooting

MADISON (AP) - The U.S. Department of Justice will review a fatal shooting by a Madison police officer.

U.S. Attorney John Vaudreuil asked for the review after receiving dozens of letters calling for an independent investigation into the death of Paul Heenan on Nov. 9.

The Dane County district attorney reviewed the case and found Officer Stephen Heimsness did not violate policies of excessive force when he shot and killed Heenan.

The State Journal says the 30-year-old Heenan was intoxicated when he entered a neighbor's home and struggled with the homeowner who tried to take him to his own house. Heimsness saw the struggle and ordered both to "get down" at gunpoint. Heimsness says Heenan grabbed his arm and was reaching toward his gun, so he fired three shots.

The review by the Civil Rights Division is expected to take several weeks.