November 14, 2023 – Ozaukee Co., WI – On Tuesday, November 2, 2023 at approximately 11 a.m. Ozaukee County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to pull over and arrest an individual for outstanding felony warrants. That individual, Christopher T. Sewell, 29, was also a person of interest in an armed, forced entry to a neighbor’s residence that had occurred several days prior.
The attempted traffic stop became a pursuit as Sewell fled. Law enforcement deployed a tire deflation device and Sewell’s vehicle came to rest near the 900 block of Lakefield Road in the Town of Grafton.
Sewell then fled on foot to a nearby tree line and was pursued by law enforcement. Initial information is that Sewell presented a weapon. An Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy discharged his firearm, striking Sewell. Lifesaving measures were performed but Sewell ultimately died from his injuries on the scene. A firearm was recovered at the scene.
The deputy has been placed on administrative assignment, per Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office policy.
Pursuant to Wisconsin law that requires an outside agency to investigate officer involved critical incidents, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is directing this investigation. All the law enforcement officers involved in this incident are fully cooperating with DCI. The Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office will conduct its own internal review of the incident after DCI has completed their investigation.
All media inquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation. For DCI’s release of information, follow the link: https://www.doj.state.wi.us/news-releases/update-officer-involved-critical-incident-investigation-ozaukee-county-wis
We understand Sewell’s loved ones are grieving and we offer them our condolences. We want the public to understand that our deputies were attempting to arrest Sewell, a convicted felon, with outstanding felony arrest warrants and was a person of interest in a felony investigation.
No law enforcement officer ever wants this result when attempting to make an arrest. However, the necessity to use force is almost always a decision forced upon them. Our deputies stopped a threat to our community by putting their own lives on the line. Risking their lives is what our deputies do every day to keep Ozaukee County safe. We thank the public for their patience as the investigation continues.
November 2, 2023 – Ozaukee County, WI – On Tuesday, November 2, 2023, at approximately 11:00 a.m. Ozaukee County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to pull over and arrest an individual for outstanding felony warrants. The subject fled in their vehicle, leading to a vehicle pursuit where law enforcement deployed a tire deflation device and the subject’s vehicle came to rest near the 900 block of Lakefield Road in the Town of Grafton.
November 2, 2023 – Ozaukee County, WI – Law enforcement agencies are working a scene near the 900 block of Lakefield Road in the Town of Grafton.
There is no danger to the public but we ask that you avoid this area while the investigation is ongoing.
This is a working story. Additional information will be made available as it becomes available.
