Police Week 2021 - We Remember

On Wednesday, February 6th, 2019, at about 9:17 a.m., the Milwaukee Police Department’s Tactical Enforcement Unit responded to the 2900 block of South 12th Street to conduct a search warrant. The target of the search warrant was wanted for the illegal sale of firearms and drugs. While conducting the search warrant, officers announced themselves as police at which time the suspect fired several rounds. Officer Matthew Rittner was struck by gunfire and transported to Froedtert Hospital, where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. Officer Rittner was 35 years old. He began his career as a police aide in 2001 and had dedicated 17 years of his life to the Milwaukee Police Department and to the City of Milwaukee. He was a tenured member of the Tactical Enforcement Unit and a veteran of the United States Marines Corps. Officer Rittner is a beloved member of our agency and has received a number of medals and awards. As we watch Officer Rittner honored at the National Law Enforcement Memorial service, please keep his family, his friends, and members of the Milwaukee Police Department in your thoughts and prayers. We remember.