A Wisconsin state lawmaker is considering a way to honor a fallen St. Croix County sheriff’s deputy.

Deputy Kaitie Leising, 29, was wounded in an exchange of gunfire with 34-year-old Jeremiah D. Johnson near Glenwood City, Wis., on May 6. She was taken to a local hospital, where she later died.

Johnson, suspected of drunken driving, fled into a wooded area and died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Wisconsin state Sen. Rob Stafsholt, R-New Richmond, has introduced legislation that would designate a portion of Wisconsin State Highway 128 in St. Croix County with Leising’s name. The portion of the highway includes the stretch where she was fatally shot, according to a statement from Stafsholt.

“Kaitie was known for her confidence, quick wit, eagerness to learn new things, infectious smile and her love and loyalty to others,” Stafsholt said in a statement. “Those that served with her never heard her complain. She always tried to be positive and find the good in people. Kaitie was always willing and eager to help others around her. Family meant everything to Kaitie, and it was especially apparent in how much she loved her newborn son, as he meant the world to her.”

Leising had worked in St. Croix County since last year and before that served in Rapid City, S.D., with the Pennington County sheriff’s office for two years.

She and her wife, Courtney, had a son, Syler, who was 3 months old when she died.

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