Part of Syme Ave. will become Leising Avenue Glenwood City to honor fallen St. Croix County Deputy naming street after her
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TO HONOR ST. CROIX COUNTY DEPUTY Katie Leising who died from a gunshot in the line of duty in Glenwood City. This semi-trailer is parked along West Oak Street reminding everyone about the sacrifice she made while serving the citizens of St. Croix County. —photo by Carlton DeWitt
GLENWOOD CITY — The City Council Monday evening approved a measure that will honor the memory of a 29-year old St. Croix County Sheriff’s Deputy, Katie Leising, who was killed at a traffic stop on May 6th of last year.
The street that will become Leising Avenue is that portion of Syme Avenue south of West Oak Street to the city limits at St. Croix County Highway G. This is also State Highway 128. Mayor Rob Unruh had visual pictures of what the new highway signs naming the avenue Leising Avenue would look like that he shared with city council members. Unruh also noted that highway 128 is the 128th Infantry Memorial Highway honoring members of the 128th Battalion of the 32nd Infantry Brigade for their service in both World Wars.
Back in December, State Senator Rob Stafsholt testified on the legislation that would designate that portion of State Highway 128 in St. Croix County in honor of Deputy Leising. Stafsholt also discussed the situation with Wisconsin National Guard Adjutant General Paul Knapp who stated he would be honored if the state highway were also designated after Deputy Katie Leising. The highway will officially have both designations.
The events that lead up to her death indicated that Deputy Katie Leising responded to a call about a drunk driver who had gone into the ditch off state Highway 128 near the intersection with county Highway G just south of Glenwood City at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Saturday May 6, 2023.
Leising made contact with a Jeremiah D. Johnson, of Minnesota, along with several other individuals who had stopped to help Johnson.
Deputy Leising requested that Johnson complete a field sobriety test, but Johnson was evasive and after about eight minutes of conversation, Johnson turned toward Deputy Leising, drew a handgun and shot her.
Deputy Leising discharged her weapon three times, although none of the rounds hit Johnson, who then fled into a nearby wooded area.
The individuals who had stopped to help immediately began lifesaving measurers for Leising. The deputy was transported to a local hospital where she died.
About an hour after Deputy Leising had been shot, a law enforcement officer saw Johnson, heard a gunshot, and witnessed him collapse to the ground.
No law enforcement weapons were discharged during the search for Johnson and a handgun was recovered at the scene where Johnson was located, according to a Department of Justice news release.
Mayor Unruh told members of the City Council that he hoped that the new signs could be in place by the First Anniversary of Leising’s death.
