CRANDON — Police have released the name of the man fatally shot by a Forest County Sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop.
According to a Wisconsin Department of Justice news release, 31-year-old Brandon O. Cude was wanted on two felony warrants in the state of Texas, both for sexually assaulting a child. The deputy, whose name has not yet been released, stopped to assist Cude after a passer-by reported a stranded driver on the roadway. As a matter of routine, the deputy ran a record check on Cude, who was driving the vehicle.
“When Mr. Cude realized the deputy learned about the two outstanding warrants, Mr. Cude pointed a shotgun at the deputy,” the release stated. “The deputy fired his weapon at the driver in response.”
Deputies who responded to the scene rendered first-aid to Mr. Cude but Mr. Cude succumbed to injuries.
The involved deputy has been placed on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of this investigation, per the sheriff’s department policy.
The Wisconsin DOJ-led investigation of this incident has been a collaboration between DCI, Crandon Police Department, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, the Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Oneida-Forest County Medical Examiner. The Forest County Sheriff’s Office has been fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation, according to the news release.
DCI is continuing to collect evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over investigative reports to the Forest County District Attorney when the investigation concludes.
No additional details are available at this time.
