Chippewa County DA Rules Police Sergeant's Use of Deadly Force as Lawful Self-Defense in Shooting Incident
The Chippewa County District Attorney's Office has concluded that the use of deadly force by Sgt. James Luckey of the Chippewa Falls Police Department was a justified act of self-defense. This decision follows an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation into the shooting death of Bradley Barnum. The incident occurred on April 9, 2026, near a hotel in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Sgt. Luckey was responding to a report of wanted individuals, including Barnum, who had active arrest warrants. During the encounter, Barnum fled and armed himself with a handgun, which he pointed at Sgt. Luckey. Despite commands to drop the weapon, Barnum continued to pose a threat, leading Sgt. Luckey to discharge his weapon, resulting in Barnum's death. 
