UPDATE: Officer Involved Shooting in Madison
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UPDATE: Officer Involved Shooting in Madison
UPDATE: Madison police release its findings from its Internal Affairs review.
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UPDATED Monday, November 9, 2009 --- 4:00 p.m.

Madison police released its Internal Affairs summary for this case. The review showed that the actions of Officer David Retlick were reasonable, appropriate and were well-within MPD policy, procedure and training.

Click on the above link to read the Internal Affairs summary.

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UPDATED Friday, October 9, 2009---3:00 p.m.

The police officer who shot and killed a man after he robbed a restaurant on South Park Street will not be charged by the district attorney.

"There is no question that this was a justified use of deadly force," said District Attorney Brian Blanchard. "In terms of the responsibility of the District Attorney's Office for any potential criminal liability for Officer Retlick, there is absolutely no such liability in this case."

Wednesday afternoon, the Cousin's Subs on South Park Street was robbed at gun point. A short time later, Office David Retlick saw a man who matched the suspects description. The officer approached the man. And after a brief confrontation the suspect pullout a .22 revolver.

"The gun was just inches away Officer Retlick's face. Just inches away," explained Madison Police Chief Noble Wray.

The officer shoved the gun aside, pulled out his own weapon and fired five shots. Four of which hit Gregory Bickford directly, killing him.

Despite his relatively young age of 26, Bickford had a lengthy criminal history, and police say it's likely he's been involved in other downtown robberies.

"We all wear the uniform," added Wray. "All the uniforms look alike. But sometime we forget that there are human beings in these uniforms."

Chief Wray said Officer Retlick is doing as well as can be considering the situation. He is currently on administrative leave and will return when he feels the time is right.

"Officers that take this job. Take this job with the understanding that they're going to have to use deadly force. But, it's a difficult position to be in," concluded Wray. "He is a brave man. Make no mistake about it."

Chief Wray also said he would not be surprised if Officer Retlick receives an award this May, when the Madison Police Department holds its annual awards banquet.

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UPDATED Friday, October 9, 2009---11:49 a.m.

Release from Dane County Coroner's Office:

The man shot during the confrontation with Madison Police on 10/7/09 has been positively identified as GREGORY J. BICKFORD, 26, of Sun Prairie, WI.

Preliminary results of a forensic autopsy conducted on 10/08/09 confirm that the decedent died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigation is still ongoing by the Madison Police Department, the Dane County Coroner’s Office, and the Dane County District Attorney’s Office.

No further information is being released at this time.

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UPDATED Friday, October 9, 2009---10:35 a.m.

The man shot and killed by Madison Police Officer David Retlick has been identified as Gregory Bickford. Stay with NBC 15 and NBC 15.com for continuing coverage of this story.

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UPDATED Thursday, October 8, 2009 --- 5:19 p.m.

Madison Police have release the name of the officer involved in Wednesday night's shooting.

Madison Police Officer David Retlick, 33, was involved in the deadly force case. He joined the Madison Police Department in May of 2007 after serving five years as a police officer in a different jurisdiction.

Officer Retlick is on administrative leave following the incident, which is standard procedure.

The Chief of Police and District Attorney are expected to release more information about this case tomorrow, including whether Retlick's use of deadly force was justified.

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UPDATED Thursday, October 8, 2009 --- 2:29 p.m.

The Madison Police Department has released more information on the man who was shot and killed by a patrol officer Wednesday night.

Police confirm he had a handgun on him, which has been recovered.

The man was a Dane County resident in his late 20s. He is believed to have some type of criminal history.

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UPDATED Wednesday, October 7, 2009 --- 10:00 p.m.

This is the 10 p.m. report from the scene:

Several officers are still on the scene following Wednesday's deadly shooting.

We don't know a lot about the person who was shot and killed by a Madison patrol officer earlier this evening other than that it was a male and he was pronounced dead on the scene by the Dane County Coroner.

"It's a sign of the times," said Mary Jo Bauman. She had just picked up her daughter from school and the two, along with their puppy, were heading home.

Then about 4:50 p.m. she heard four or five gunshots.

"I brought my daughter home and when I came back [to the scene] I was in a little bit closer position," Bauman said. "I could see there was someone on the ground."

Police believe that someone on the ground was involved in a robbery at Cousin's Subs on Park Street just a few blocks away. According to Police Chief Noble Wray, an officer was in the area investigating that robbery when he saw a person who matched the suspect's description.

"Upon making contact with the suspect, a struggle ensued between the officer and the suspect," Chief Wray said. "A weapon was produced and the officer was forced to use deadly force."

Chief Wray wouldn't say what type of weapon was produced but we do know a gun was used in the robbery at Cousin's Subs. There will be an investigation into the shooting. As of right now, Chief Wray says the officer did the right thing.

"This is very early on but from all indications this appears to be justified use of deadly force," Wray said.

Police are continuing their investigation and residents are just trying to believe what happened.

"I don't think it's anything really reflective of my neighborhood because I think this is a really great neighborhood," Bauman said.

The officer was taken to a hospital and examined -- he's doing fine. Chief Wray said the officer will be placed on administrative leave following the incident, which is standard procedure.

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UPDATED Wednesday, October 7, 2009 --- 7:13 p.m.

NBC 15's Barclay Pollak is at the scene and was just briefed by Madison Police Chief Noble Wray.

Wray said the officer was investigating a call for an armed robbery at Cousin's Subs, 1124 S. Park St. He saw a person who met the suspect description from that incident and attempted to stop him.

The suspect then displayed a weapon, causing the officer to shoot and kill him.

Wray would not say exactly what kind of weapon was displayed. Madison Police Public Information Officer Joel DeSpain said later that the Cousin's Subs suspect had displayed a handgun. But it's not confirmed at this time whether the two incidents involved the same person.

The suspect was declared dead at the scene by the Dane County Coroner. The officer has been placed on administrative leave, which police say is protocol for this type of situation.

We'll have the latest as this investigation continues on this story and on NBC15 News at 10.

Madison Police say it has been about two years since the last officer-involved shooting in the city.

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Posted Wednesday, October 7, 2009 --- 5:47 p.m.
UPDATED Wednesday, October 7, 2009 --- 6:50 p.m.

Madison Police confirm they are investigating an officer involved shooting near downtown Madison.

A report of shots fired on W. Lakeside St. near Whittier St. came in just before 5 p.m. tonight.

During a phone conversation with NBC15 News, police said there is no threat to the public.

We have a crew at the scene. Madison Police Chief Noble Wray is expected to speak with the media soon. We'll bring you his comments when they are available.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Y Location: Madison on Nov 11, 2009 at 08:04 AM

Right on, Anon. I'm growing tired of the criminals being the victim. He got what he deserved and I feel no remorse or sympathy for him. This is a better world without him in it.
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: brenda scott Location: madison WI on Nov 9, 2009 at 07:09 PM

Get all the facts first before i voice my opionion';
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Anon on Nov 9, 2009 at 05:59 PM

Thank you, MPD. You did the right thing toward somebody who had no regard toward life. He chose his destiny...and got it.
[ Report Abuse ]
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