The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is conducting a death investigation in the Village of Amherst, Wisconsin, following an incident on Friday, July 26, 2024.
On Thursday, July 25, 2024, law enforcement officers from the Portage County Sheriff’s Office tactical team, the Stevens Point/Plover tactical team, and the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office tactical team executed a search warrant at a residence in the 400 block of Mill Avenue in Amherst. They also had an arrest warrant for Jeffrey E. Miller, 32, wanted for an incident that occurred in Sauk County on Tuesday, July 23. In that earlier incident, Miller engaged in a high-speed pursuit, crashed his vehicle, and shot at and injured a law enforcement officer.
When tactical teams arrived to execute these warrants, Miller opened fire from the attic of the residence. Law enforcement safely removed several occupants from the property and a standoff ensued with Miller. Law enforcement gave multiple verbal commands for Miller to exit the residence and deployed gas into the residence; however, Miller did not respond and continued to fire periodically at officers throughout the standoff. Multiple tactical teams responded to assist with attempting to apprehend Miller safely.
On Friday afternoon, law enforcement entered the residence and located Miller deceased with a firearm near his body. No law enforcement officers discharged their firearms during this incident.
Preliminary autopsy results indicate that Miller died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
DCI is leading this investigation with assistance from the Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wood County Sheriff’s Office, and a DCI Crime Response Specialist. All involved law enforcement agencies are fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation.
DCI continues to review evidence and determine facts related to this incident and will submit investigative reports to the Portage County District Attorney upon conclusion of their investigation.
All media inquiries should be directed to Wisconsin DOJ.
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