Funeral for fallen Wisconsin Deputy Kaitie Leising set for Friday: "She was a wonderful deputy"
HUDSON, Wis. -- The funeral has been set for fallen St. Croix County Deputy Kaitie Leising, who was shot and killed over the weekend.
During a news conference Tuesday afternoon, western Wisconsin officials announced Leising's funeral will be held Friday at Hudson High School.
RELATED: Man authorities say killed Deputy Kaitie Leising had criminal conviction in Washington County
The public visitation is set for 9 a.m. to noon. Then, a funeral with law enforcement honors will be held in the parking lot. A law enforcement procession will take place, with the route and details to be released later this week.
In lieu of flowers, Fitzgerald says the family would like donations sent to the National Law Enforcement Memorial.
St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knudson during the press conference called Leising a "wonderful deputy" and said her death stunned the sheriff's office, community and entire law enforcement profession.
"Kaitie's been with us for only a year, but the impact she made not only on our office, but on this community, and it was always how she did her job was treating people well. That's how she showed up at calls. She treated people with dignity and respect. She made my job easy," Knudson said.
Knudson said members of the sheriff's office need time to grieve, and that no one should be suffering in silence. Many outside agencies are stepping in to cover shifts and patrols for St. Croix deputies.
Following the release of funeral plans, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced that flags will also be lowered to half-staff on Friday to honor the fallen deputy.
"Deputy Kaitie Leising was admired by her colleagues and community alike for the positivity, drive, and dedication to service she carried with her every day," Evers said. "The weight of Deputy Leising's death is a loss felt by folks across the state. We continue to keep Deputy Leising's family and loved ones, the St. Croix County Sheriff's Office, the St. Croix County community, and all those that knew and served alongside her in our hearts as they mourn her tragic passing."
Authorities say Jeremiah Johnson shot 29-year-old Leising Saturday night while she tried to administer field sobriety tests to him.
"For reasons we'll never know, this morally bankrupt and ethically-challenged criminal decides to turn and murder Kaitie," Knudson said.
Johnson then fled into the woods and died by suicide, according to the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Johnson was convicted on charges of kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct in Washington County in 2015. He was prohibited from having guns.
