Richard Klemz (Photo: Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office)
The Winnebago County sheriff says the man shot outside of the Algoma town hall Thursday wanted to commit suicide by cop.
Sheriff John Matz said Friday that deputies were called to 57-year-old Richard Klemz’s house shortly after 3:15 p.m., because someone was concerned that he would harm himself. Matz said a person called 911 claiming that Klemz was “extremely suicidal” and “would love it if the police would kill him.”
Klemz left before deputies arrived, and then rammed a squad car at an intersection, causing damage to the front of the vehicle. Matz said a deputy and Oshkosh police officer then opened fire, after a confrontation outside of the Algoma town hall.
The officer and deputy who fired the shots are on routine administrative leave. Klemz is recovering, and Matz said he will likely face several charges once he’s out of the hospital.
The state’s Division of Criminal Investigation is handling the case.
Contributed by WHBY