Doug Nitek. (Rusk County Sheriff’s Office)
A registered sex offender is accused of gunning down a local sheriff’s deputy who was found dead in his patrol car Saturday night in northern Wisconsin.
Doug Nitek, 43, was arrested Sunday morning and is being held in the death of Rusk County Deputy Dan Glaze, 33, WEAU-TV reports.
The shooting occurred near Ladysmith, police said.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Deputy Glaze Was Responding to a ‘Suspicious Vehicle’ When He Was Killed
On scene of a shooting in Rusk County. A Rusk County Sheriff’s Deputy is dead. We will continue to update.
Deputy Dan Glaze responded to a call about a “suspicious vehicle” on Broken Arrow Road, east of Highway 27 and just south of Ladysmith at 10:55 p.m., the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
Glaze reported that there was a vehicle in a field, according to the sheriff.
“He radioed back to the department that he had found the vehicle in the field,” the sheriff’s office said. “Dispatch lost contact with the deputy and when backup arrived minutes later, they found the deputy had been shot and killed.”
Investigation at scene where Deputy Dan Glaze was killed in Rusk County, Wisconsin. Suspect is in custody. @MyFOX9
Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald told the Leader-Telegram, “He didn’t respond to his radio, and he didn’t respond to his cell phone.”
When deputies responded, they found Glaze “deceased inside his squad car,” Fitzgerald said.
2. Nitek Fired a Shot at Deputies During a Standoff Before Surrendering, the Sheriff Says
Doug Nitek.
Police were searching for Nitek throughout the night Saturday and into early Sunday morning. They issued an alert saying he was to be considered “armed and dangerous.”
He was taken into custody just after 10:15 p.m. after Barron County Sheriff’s Office deputies found him near a home there, WBAY-TV reports.
Nitek fired one shot at the deputies as they searched the home using a robot, authorities said.
3. Glaze, Who Was Married With 3 Children, Worked as a Police Officer for 7 Years, Including More Than a Year in Rusk County
Deputy Dan Glaze. (Facebook)
Deputy Dan Glaze has worked as a police officer for seven years, including the past 1 and 1/2 years with the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, the department said in a press release.
“The sheriff’s department would like everyone to keep the family of the fallen officer and the men and women of the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department in your prayers,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release.
Glaze previously worked for the Hayward Police Department, according to the Sawyer County Record.
Hayward Police Chief Joel Clapero said in a statement Glaze “was an extremely valuable and hardworking officer who worked relentlessly in pursing criminal activity and protecting the citizens of Hayward,” during his time there.
“Dan had a passion for police work and helping the citizens he protected and served. Dan will always be in our hearts and his service will never be forgotten,” Clapero said in a statement. “It is a sad day when one person’s evil actions can cause a tragedy such as this and alter the course of so many people’s lives.”
Glaze is survived by his wife, Sarah, and their three young children, including a child born earlier this year, the St. Paul Pioneer-Press reports.
4. Nitek Has a Lengthy Criminal Record Including Convictions for Sexual Assault & Several DUIs
Doug Nitek.
Nitek has a lengthy criminal record that dates back to 1992, according to Wisconsin criminal records. His convictions include third-degree and fourth-degree sexual assault. He has also been arrested at least five times for driving under the influence.
He was required to register as a sex offender after the conviction for sexual assault in 1993.
Nitek’s record also includes charges for felony bail jumping, resisting arrest, battery, petty theft, arson, disorderly conduct and tampering with an ignition interlock device.
He was last arrested on July 20, 2016, in Sawyer County, Wisconsin, and charged with first-degree recklessly endangering safety, a felony, resisting or obstructing an officer, criminal damage to property and tampering with with an ignition interlock device. The case is still pending.
He was released from custody on $5,000 bail.
Nitek is originally from Lake Holcombe, Wisconsin, according to his Facebook page.
His address in court records is listed as Broken Arrow Road in Conrath, Wisconsin.
5. He Is Being Held at a Local Jail While Awaiting Charges
Doug Nitek. (Facebook)
Nitek was taken to a local jail in Barron County, where he is held pending charges, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office says.
“Mr. Nitek remains in custody in an area jail awaiting formal charges,” Sheriff Jeff Wallace said in a press release. “The Rusk County Sheriff’s Department wishes to thank everyone, especially all the local law enforcement that assisted them during this tragedy.”
