Funeral for western Wisconsin officers killed in traffic stop shootout held Saturday

Some people attending today's service traveled hours to show their support.

"These guys get a lot of support just every day, but right now, they need everybody because, in a time like this, there's never enough support," Brenda Markwalter, of White Bear Lake, said. "And it's heart-wrenching for everybody involved -- the community, friends, family, everything."

The support has meant everything to people like Sheriff Travis Hakes. He not only trained Officer Breidenbach but covered the rest of her shift after she was killed last Saturday.

"It's been tough, I'm not going to lie. This one hit really close to home for me," Sheriff Hakes said.

Sheriff Hakes says it will be tough, but they have to move forward in the best interest of public safety.

Spectators told WCCO the support for law enforcement was a beautiful thing to see and they wish it didn't take a tragedy to see it.

"You never think of it happening this close, you know? You think of it in the big cities, but you don't think of it right in your neighborhood," Ava Wahlstrom, of Cameron, said.

Family members and co-workers shared their experiences with Emily Breidenbach and Hunter Scheel, along with city officials and chaplains.

The most emotional moments came from the siblings of the officers.

"There is a darkness and there always will be," Mike Breidenbach said. "But when darkness comes to call, I can thank God that there are such truly special people like Emily and Hunter."

"Every single person here today makes my heart ache just a little less. Knowing that Hunter and Emily both walked out their front doors every single day into the world where they were so loved and supported by thousands of people is breathtaking," Audrey Scheel said.

Both Hunter and Emily's immediate family and partners were at the funeral service as well.

The funeral procession started arriving in Chetek while vehicles are still leaving from where the funeral was held in Cameron, over 12 miles away.

A special flag will be part of the funeral service for officers Breidenbach and Scheel. 

The United States Honor Flag has traveled millions of miles since 9/11 - including to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the last space shuttle launch in 2011.

The flag has honored thousands of fallen law enforcement, fire, EMS, and military members. It'll next travel to New Orleans, Louisiana, to honor Senior Police Offier Trevor Abney, who died from complications of a gunshot wound he suffered in 2020.

Upwards of 1,000 police squads are expected to take part in a procession following Saturday's visitation and funeral.

In Cameron, many still grieved the loss of the two officers ahead of Saturday's service.

"It's indescribable," said Jenifer Mason of Cameron. "There aren't words you can put down to understand what it's been like."

Mason and her company have worked to provide support and connections to the community following the officers deaths Saturday.

"You just keep one step in front of the other," she said. "You keep moving forward for the people that need you to move forward. At some point we will grieve when we can, but right now we need to be here for the people that need us most."

Many in the community say they knew the officers well. In Chetek, bar owner Jeremy Siems had known Chetek Officer Emily Breidenbach for years.

"She was just such a special lady in this town," Siems said. "Not just a police officer. She was friends with half the town."

"As a group, we're going to be able to get through it," Siems said. "We have to. But it's not going to be fun. It's not going to be fun at all."

Officer Hunter Scheel was a standout, and just a year into his law enforcement career. Before joining the Cameron Police Department, he was a six-year member of the Army National Guard.

Cameron resident Cindy Corum knew Scheel well. When she called for help, he answered.

"He's done a lot for the community, he's done a lot for my daughter. He's come to my house and took her to school for me because she has a lot of health issues," Corum said. "He was just an amazing guy, amazing, amazing gentleman."

Jim and Marybell Lenz shared stories of Scheel's friendly patrols down their streets.  

"He very well could be a grandson. The same age as my grandchildren, so I look at him and I feel very, very strongly about him," said Marybell Lenz.

Tributes are also pouring in for Breidenbach, remembered fondly as an officer and mother. Cameron resident Layne Yost shared a video Monday of the officer at Chetek's Liberty Fest, a Fourth of July event. She is seen dancing hand in hand with one of the young community members she served.

"From Emily dancing in the football stands, to Hunter at National Night Out with kids playing in the squad, this is why we do what we do," Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said.

Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes said he immediately dropped what he was doing when he heard of the shooting. 

He said he and Breidenbach were "always joking around."

"She would always pick on me because I'd cut my hair and miss spots from time to time," Hakes recalled. 

"It's been tough. I'm not going to lie," he added. "We're going to have to move forward in the best interest of public safety, but it's tough." 

The Emily Briedenbach Memorial Fund has been established at Sterling Bank, located at 427 2nd St. in Chetek.