Chippewa County DA: Police Sergeant’s Use of Deadly Force Was Lawful Self-Defense

CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI — The Chippewa County District Attorney’s Office has ruled that a fatal officer-involved shooting in Chippewa Falls was a legally justified act of self-defense, concluding that a Chippewa Falls police sergeant acted reasonably when he shot an armed suspect during a foot pursuit outside a hotel in April 2026.

The decision follows a review of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation into the shooting death of Bradley Barnum near the 1000 block of West Park Avenue.

Press Release

The Chippewa County District Attorney’s Office has determined that the actions of Chippewa Falls Police Department Sgt. James Luckey, on April 9, 2026, in the area of a hotel near the 1000 block of West Park Avenue, City of Chippewa Falls, Chippewa County, Wisconsin, were reasonable acts of self- defense.

Law Regarding Self-Defense

Wisconsin law allows all persons, including law enforcement officers, to use deadly force in an act of self-defense. The law requires all of the following:

The officer believed that there was an actual or imminent unlawful interference with the officer’s person;
The officer believed that the amount of force the officer used was necessary to prevent or terminate the interference; and
The officer’s beliefs were reasonable.
An officer may intentionally use force which is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if the officer reasonably believed that the force used was necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself.

Synopsis

The Chippewa County’s District Attorney’s Office reviewed the investigation and reports of the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). The following is a summary statement of facts based upon that investigation:

On April 9, 2026, at 10:58 a.m., officers were dispatched to a hotel near the 1000 block of West Park Avenue in Chippewa Falls to respond to a report of wanted subjects being there. One of the wanted subjects was identified as Bradley Barnum. Sgt. Luckey noted that there was a “weapons” caution on at least one of the arrest warrants for Mr. Barnum. Upon arrival, Sgt. Luckey made contact with three individuals in a vehicle, and asked two of them to exit the vehicle, which included Mr. Barnum. Once out of the vehicle, Mr. Barnum began running from Sgt. Luckey. Sgt. Luckey pursued Mr. Barnum on foot.

As Mr. Barnum was fleeing Sgt. Luckey, Mr. Barnum armed himself with a handgun that had been concealed in his waistband. Mr. Barnum continued running, fleeing over a fence. While going over the fence, Mr. Barnum ended up pointing the handgun back towards Sgt. Luckey, at which point Sgt. Luckey discharged his weapon, striking Mr. Barnum. Mr. Barnum attempted to regain his footing, still holding the handgun in his right hand. Mr. Barnum refused multiple commands to drop the handgun, and Sgt. Luckey again discharged his weapon, as Mr. Barnum continued to present an imminent threat to Sgt. Luckey and other officers. Mr. Barnum was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Intentions of Mr. Barnum

One cannot look into a person’s mind to find intent. However, the person’s acts, words, and statements, if any, and all of the facts and circumstances in the situation can be used to determine his intent. A review of the investigation materials indicate that:

Mr. Barnum had active arrest warrants.
Mr. Barnum fled a police officer.
Mr. Barnum armed himself with a handgun.
Mr. Barnum’s toxicology results indicated positive results for amphetamine and methamphetamine.

Conclusion

The Chippewa County District Attorney’s Office has determined that the actions of Sgt. Luckey were reasonable given the totality of the circumstances, and was a legally justified act of self-defense. No further action will be taken by the District Attorney’s Office regarding this matter.