Watertown cop on leave after death of suspect
Officers returned fire; man died at hospital
A Watertown police officer has been put on administrative leave after a May 31 incident resulted in a man being shot and killed. The incident is being investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, according to a DOJ release.
On May 31, police were searching for Thomas Jeffery Sutherlin, 32, to question him about his involvement in a domestic incident.
Watertown police pulled Sutherlin over for a burnt-out taillight and during the traffic stop a taser was used, “but was not effective.”
According to the DOJ release, shots were fired from within the vehicle and officers returned fire, hitting Sutherlin. Paramedics transported Sutherlin to a nearby hospital where he died from his injuries. A firearm was located in Sutherlin’s vehicle.
No officers were injured during the incident.
Watertown police officer Pedro Gallegos, a six-year law enforcement veteran, was put on administrative leaving per department policy. Gallegos was named by the DOJ on June 2.
The Watertown Police Department is cooperating with DCI, which is leading the investigation, and evidence is still being reviewed.
Once the investigation is complete, the investigative reports will be turned over to the Jefferson County District Attorney, who will determine if charges are necessary.
Police departments around the state and country have been under scrutiny after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer. The death was caught on video and sparked world wide outrage and unrest.