DA Clears Dodge County Sheriff's Deputy in Officer Involved Shooting

The Wisconsin Department of Justice has completed its investigation in the deputy involved shooting of James A. Quealy. That report was filed with the Dodge County District Attorney’s Office who made a determination that Sgt. Joseph Nicholas was justified in his legal and appropriate use of deadly force in this incident.

As a result, Sgt. Nicholas has been restored to full duty with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office. According to a release from the Sheriff, Sgt. Nicholas is a valued member of the Sheriff’s Office who was forced to make a very difficult decision to protect himself, his fellow law enforcement officers, and the community as a whole.

On August 5, Dodge County received a request to check the welfare of a subject at 215 Woodland Drive in the Beaver Dam.

Beaver Dam Police Officers established a perimeter to keep the public safe. Contact was made with the subject who indicated he wished to commit suicide by cop. The subject began waving around his firearm during the incident.

Due to the nature of the incident and the potentially dangerous situation, Beaver Dam Police requested the assistance of the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office. Negotiations were initiated early in the incident and continued with the hope of resolving the situation peacefully.

Two hours into the confrontation the suspect turned his weapon on a deputy sheriff and fired. This forced the deputy to return fire in an effort to stop the threat presented to him and the community. The suspect, 59-year-old James A Quealy, was shot and killed in the gunfire exchange. Sgt. Nicholas was not injured.

In their press release, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office conveyed deeps sympathies to the family of James Quealy.