"We lost one of our own:" 23-year-old MPD officer killed in rollover crash, second officer released from hospital
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The 23-year-old was killed in a crash while pursuing a vehicle Thursday near 76th and Silver Spring on the city's northwest side. The other officer, 36-year-old Matthew Schulze has been released from the hospital.
It was the first on-duty death in 22 years for the Milwaukee Police.
During a news conference on Friday, Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales said the officers were on duty with Officer Schulze driving and Officer Irvine as the passenger when they saw a vehicle driving recklessly eastbound on West Silver Spring at North 91st Street around 5 p.m. Thursday.
The officers tried to stop the vehicle, a Volkswagen Passat, by turning on their lights and sirens. The Passat did not stop and began to elude the officers. The officers then began chasing the vehicle. As the Passat approached North 76th Street, the squad car lost control and rolled over.
Chief Morales said the Milwaukee Police Department later found the Passat near North 91st and Bradley. The driver, a 28-year-old man, was arrested. Police say he has a lengthy criminal record that dates back to 2006 with several drug-related arrests. A 45-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman were also taken into custody.
The squad crash is still under investigation.
A support team is being offered to members of the Milwaukee Police Department.
Chief Morales said this about Officer Irvine: "He was a funny and quiet officer who did great impersonations and would give you the shirt off of his back."
See below for the full transcript of Chief Morales' statements Friday: