Wisconsin man killed by law enforcement was Minnesota corrections officer, authorities say

Kristi Miller, Pioneer Press
·2 min read
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A man who was shot and killed by law enforcement officers Saturday night in Western Wisconsin has been identified as a corrections officer who worked in the Stillwater prison.

Minnesota Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell identified the man in a press release Monday.

“I’d like to extend my deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the family of Corrections Officer Tyler Abel, whose death this weekend is both tragic and troubling.”

The 42-year-old was shot and killed outside his home after a woman called 911 shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday to report her husband was “out of control” and “threatening to bring his AR out,” apparently referring to an assault rifle.

Officers from the New Richmond Police Department and St. Croix County sheriff’s deputies responded to the home in the 1900 block of County Trunk Highway CC in Star Prairie Township, according to a news release Sunday.

When they arrived, the woman was outside but two juveniles were still inside the home. According to the release, the man threatened law enforcement officials, who saw through a window that he was armed with a hunting rifle. He continued to make threats and then left the house with a long gun “to confront” the law enforcement officers, the release says, and a sheriff’s deputy and a New Richmond police officer both shot the man. He died at the scene.

In Monday’s press release, Schnell said that after a 20-year career in manufacturing, Abel changed careers and was hired as a corrections officer with the DOC in April 2022. He worked at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater “where he was well-liked and highly regarded by many staff.”

The DOC’s peer support team will be available as staff members process the news, Schnell said.

The Polk County sheriff’s office is investigating the shooting and will turn over its findings to the St. Croix County District Attorney’s office. The two law enforcement officers involved have been placed on standard administrative leave during the investigation.

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