Fallen Police Officer's Tragic Last Moments Caught On Bodycam

MILWAUKEE, WI — Police have arrested and charged Jonathan Copeland, the man accused of shooting and killing Milwaukee Police Officer Michael Michalski. A criminal complaint filed with the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office recounts Michalski’s chilling last few moments leading up to his death.

On the morning of July 25, Copeland sent a text message to his wife, saying he would shoot police if they come after him. Copeland was wanted by police for multiple drug crimes, as well as a warrant for absconding from the Department of Corrections, according to the criminal complaint.

Police say Copeland’s wife called the police to report that he was threatening to shoot up her house because she refused to reimburse him for an unknown expense.

According to two City of Milwaukee police detectives, they saw 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.

According to the criminal complaint, Copeland pushed out a window screen on the second floor to fire his gun at officers outside on the lawn.

Police say Copeland ran out of ammunition. He threw his .45-caliber High Point semi-automatic pistol out the window and to the ground. Police converged on Copeland’s location in the house and arrested him.

Based on their best evidence available, Milwaukee police say they believe Copeland learned police were coming into the duplex and ran upstairs to avoid police. He became trapped on the landing because police were filing in the house below him and the upstairs unit was locked. He hid under a pile of laundry on the landing silently and ambushed officer Michalski.

A Friend Is Gone

That night, a procession of Milwaukee police cars lighted up the early evening in red and blue hues Wednesday as they slowly drove single-file from Froedtert Memorial Hospital to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s office with the body of one of their fallen comrades.

“I am sad to inform you that the officer that was injured, did not make it today,” Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales said Wednesday night. “It’s a difficult time for the police department. He was a 17-year veteran who was well-loved by the department, and a friend of mine.”

“Words cannot describe the sorrow and anger I feel at this moment,” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said.

Alderman Russell Stamper, who represents the district where the shooting took place, offered this statement: “My deepest condolences go to the loved ones and friends of the Milwaukee Police officer who was killed in the line of duty earlier this evening in the 15th District. The sadness I witnessed tonight at the scene is difficult to process and I cannot stop thinking about the officer and his family.

“I want to thank him for his service, and I thank all of our dedicated officers who rush to danger to protect us and who put their lives on the line daily without hesitation. “May God be with the officer and his family at this time.”

Police agencies from around the region offered their condolences. In a statement, Sheriff Richard Schmidt said: “My heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and fellow officers who today suffered the loss of a beloved Milwaukee Police Department officer. Our community mourns once again at this tragic loss of life. May God’s comfort be felt in this most difficult moment.”

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Here are some others from social media: West Allis Police Department: “Thinking of the family and friends of the Milwaukee police officer that was shot and killed this afternoon. Also thinking about our brothers and sisters at the Milwaukee Police Department.”

Wauwatosa Police Department: “With heavy hearts we share this mourning band-wrapped badge and send our condolences to the Milwaukee Police Department, as another one of their officers was killed in the line of duty.”

Oak Creek Police Department: “We would like to express our condolences to the Milwaukee Police Department family for their tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family of your officer.”

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