Elm Grove officer dies from apparent suicide at police department, investigation underway

By: CBS 58 Newsroom

Posted: Nov 25, 2019 5:08 PM CDT

Updated: 1:58 p.m. on Noember 26, 2019

ELM GROVE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Elm Grove police have released new details into the apparent suicide death of an officer at the department.

Police said Sgt. Joseph (Joe) Ipavec took his life in the early morning hours of Monday, Nov. 25.

Sgt. Ipavec was a 19-year veteran of the Elm Grove Police Department.

"We are heartbroken at the loss of our dedicated co-worker and friend. His family and two young children are in our thoughts and prayers," Elm Grove police said in a post.

Elm Grove police said Sgt. Ipavec was a leader in the department and community, mentoring new officers as a Field Training Officer (FTO), certified firearms instructor, and representing the agency as the Citizen Police Academy’s departmental liaison. He was a state licensed Emergency Medical Technician and a 2014 graduate of Northwestern University’s Police Staff and Command. He was an officer of exceptional performance and was, most notably, commended for his actions that, without question, saved many lives, during the Villager Apartments fire, in October of 2000.

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Published: 5:08 p.m. on November 25, 2019

ELM GROVE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Elm Grove police announced an officer died of an apparent suicide while at the Elm Grove Police Department early Monday morning.

Officials say it happened on Nov. 25 at the department on Juneau Boulevard.

"We send our most sincere condolences to his family at this difficult time," a news release from the department said.

West Allis police are investigating.

Attorney General Josh Kaul issued the following statement:

“The Elm Grove community has suffered a profound loss. The Department of Justice and the Wisconsin law enforcement community mourn with the police department and family and friends of this officer."