Marshfield Police Praised for Safe Resolution of Knife Threat Using Less-Lethal Force
Marshfield, Wisconsin — Marshfield police officers are being commended by city officials after safely resolving a potentially dangerous situation involving an armed individual last Friday without serious injury to anyone involved.
According to the Marshfield Police Department, officers were dispatched after receiving reports that a man armed with a knife was threatening staff from human services and probation and parole offices, demanding that they leave the area. When officers arrived on scene, the man, later identified as Patrick Langreck, was still holding the knife and refusing to comply with commands.
Police said officers assessed the situation and determined that they had limited cover and were operating within close proximity—approximately 25 feet—from the armed individual. Given the continued threat posed by Langreck holding the knife, officers made the decision to deploy less-lethal bean bag rounds in an effort to subdue him.
The tactic proved effective, allowing officers to take Langreck into custody with minimal injury.
Marshfield Police Lieutenant Jody Geurink explained that the decision to use less-lethal force was made to protect both officers and the suspect.
“Behind the squad car, the officers don’t have any cover, so we had to try to subdue him,” Geurink said. “The entire time the individual has the knife in his hand, he is a threat. At any time, he could change his direction. We were within 25 feet.”
City leaders praised the officers’ actions, calling the response measured and appropriate under the circumstances. Marshfield Mayor Bob McManus described the officers’ decisions as well-executed during a high-risk encounter.
“They made split-second decisions that were absolutely brilliant,” McManus said. “This is another case where we responded appropriately, and it is nice to have the commendations and the support.”
Body camera footage of the incident has also drawn positive attention from city officials. According to McManus, the video shows officers repeatedly instructing Langreck to drop the knife before escalating to less-lethal force.
“You can hear them saying, ‘Stop, put the weapon down,’” McManus said. “They continued with the escalation only when necessary. We couldn’t be prouder of our officers.”
Lieutenant Geurink echoed the mayor’s comments, emphasizing that officer safety remains a top priority while also striving for outcomes that avoid serious harm.
“Our officer safety is always paramount,” Geurink said. “This is a situation that worked out for the best for us and also for this individual.”
Langreck was taken into custody and appeared in Wood County court on Monday. He is facing four counts of recklessly endangering safety. A judge set his cash bond at $50,000.
Police officials credited the successful outcome to training, teamwork, and the department’s emphasis on de-escalation whenever possible.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/aU5V6oRKfc4
K9 Hero Tracks Down Stolen Car Suspect After Chaotic LA Pursuit
Stolen Car Chase Turns Into Wild K9 Takedown in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California — What began as routine patrol work for Wilshire Division officers quickly spiraled into a chaotic foot chase, a violent struggle with a police K9, and the ultimate arrest of a 21-year-old suspect after a stolen vehicle pursuit across a busy Los Angeles neighborhood. The incident occurred on the afternoon of February 17, 2024, around 1:00 p.m., when officers received an alert that would dramatically change the course of their shift.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), officers were patrolling near San Vicente Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue when their Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) system signaled a hit on a stolen vehicle. The vehicle, a previously reported stolen car, was traveling eastbound on San Vicente Boulevard with a male driver behind the wheel—later identified asIan Jimenez, age 21.
Officers quickly verified that the plate information matched the stolen vehicle report. Following standard procedure, they requested backup while trailing the car. However, before additional units arrived, Jimenez suddenly accelerated at high speed in an attempt to escape. A vehicle pursuit was initiated, but it came to an abrupt end when Jimenez collided with another occupied vehicle. The crash caused minor injuries to the occupant, who later complained of pain.
Immediately after the collision, Jimenez bailed out of the stolen vehicle and fled on foot into a nearby residential neighborhood. Officers established a perimeter around the area to prevent escape and called in Metropolitan Division K9 units to assist with the search.
A short time later, K9 officers located Jimenez as he exited through the rear door of a residence on the 1200 block of Masselin Avenue. A K9 contact was made as the suspect encountered the police dog. According to LAPD, Jimenez wrestled with the K9 and continued to resist officers’ commands, attempting to break free rather than surrender. Despite being engaged by the police dog, Jimenez managed to escape the immediate contact and fled on foot once again.
An LAPD airship overhead tracked his movements from above, relaying Jimenez’s location to ground units. A second K9 search team intercepted him approximately one block away, where officers finally managed to detain and handcuff the suspect after the prolonged chase.
Jimenez sustained injuries to his left forearm and right ankle from the K9 contacts during the struggle. He was transported by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics to a nearby hospital for treatment and was medically cleared for booking. However, two days later, on February 19, he was transported again from the Metropolitan Detention Center to the hospital after officers noticed worsening issues related to the injury on his left forearm. He was subsequently hospitalized for further treatment related to the K9 bite.
No officers suffered injuries throughout the pursuit, foot chase, or K9 engagements. LAPD also confirmed that the community member whose car was struck during the initial crash reported pain but did not sustain major injuries.
The case highlights the unpredictable nature of stolen vehicle incidents and the rapid escalation that often follows when suspects attempt to flee. LAPD officials noted that K9 officers played a crucial role in locating, tracking, and ultimately apprehending Jimenez despite his repeated attempts to escape custody.
Investigators will continue to review body-worn camera footage, K9 deployment protocols, pursuit procedures, and the sequence of events leading to the suspect’s hospitalization. Jimenez now faces multiple charges that may include possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest, fleeing from police, and hit-and-run resulting in injury.
As the investigation progresses, LAPD emphasized that their response prioritized public safety, containment, and minimizing injury—despite the suspect’s active resistance and attempts to evade capture. The department also acknowledged the role of the airship and specialized K9 teams in bringing the situation to a safe resolution.
