Two Cumberland Police Officers Injured During Apprehension Of Subject

CUMBERLAND, WI -- Two Cumberland Police Officers suffered minor injuries after a male subject "turned violent" during an exchange where the subject claimed to be employed by the FBI, according to Chief Heather Wolfe of the Cumberland Police Department.

See also: Cumberland Police Issue Press Release Regarding Driver Who Drove Into City Hall Building

Chief Wolfe says that on November 23, 2021, the Cumberland Police Department was dispatched to Island Inn located in the City of Cumberland for a disorderly male subject. Upon arrival, officers located the male subject who was yelling loudly to himself in the hallway at which point they made contact with the male subject, which the Cumberland Police have identified as 49-year-old, Zachary Veitch. According to the press release, he was speaking incoherently and claimed to be employed by the FBI and apparently could not stop pacing back and forth during the interaction. Veitch stated he believed the officers speaking with him were spies.

According to the press release, Veitch appeared to be having a mental health and/or drug use issue causing his paranoia and erratic behavior. Before officers could provide Veitch with assistance, he turned violent and immediately struck a Cumberland Police Department Officer in the face with a closed fist, causing minor injury to the officer’s mouth and face.

Another Cumberland Police Officer was able to gain control of Veitch while he actively resisted arrest. This officer obtained minor injuries, as well, which included an abrasion on the knee and a bruised hand. Veitch sustained a laceration to his hand during his apprehension.

Veitch was taken into custody for Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest, and Battery to Law Enforcement. He is currently incarcerated in the Barron County Jail on a $1,000 cash bond.

Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.