Suicidal Man Instigates High Speed Chase in Saukville

A 38-year-old Ozaukee County man is facing several charges after instigating a high speed chase with police that ended in Saukville.

The man contacted the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Department on Thursday, telling the dispatcher he wanted to commit suicide by cop, according to the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office. The man told the dispatcher that officers should shoot him on sight — and that he'd fire back if they missed.

About 2:30 a.m. Friday, Saukville police officers located the subject driving in the village, according to the sheriff's department. The officers attempted to get the vehicle to stop, but it kept driving.

Officers from both the Saukville Police Department and sheriff's deputies chased the man down County Highway O; the vehicle was traveling between 90-100 mph.

The driver made several U-turns, driving directly towards the oncoming officers. At one point, the vehicle began traveling north on Hwy. O, back into the Village of Saukville; at this time, police stopped the chase because of the "potential for serious harm or injury to civilians." 

About 6:15 a.m., officers again found the vehicle parked in Grafton; they were able to take the man into custody without incident.

The man was transported for mental health observations under state law; he also faces charges of: 

• recklessly endangering safety
• knowingly eluding an officer
• 2nd-offense operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated
• disorderly conduct
• unlawful use of telephone for calling 911 several times throughout the night.