The Wisconsin Professional Police Association

08/12/2026

“‘Mr. Ruiz’s death was tragic, and the use of deadly force must be thoroughly examined,’ Jim Palmer, executive director of the [WPPA], who is representing Baitinger-Peterson, told ABC News in a statement last week. ‘But fairness requires acknowledging the circumstances that brought officers to the area, the danger they encountered, and their cooperation since the incident.’

“Palmer…told ABC News that it is important to allow ‘the evidence -- not isolated images, policial pressure, or public speculation -- to determine the outcome’ of the case.

“The four responding officers will be placed on paid administrative leave, per Wisconsin law, according to the WPPA.”

The identity of the Madison, Wisconsin, officer involved in the fatal shooting of Corey Ruiz on July 22 is Kiel Baitinger-Peterson, according to the Wisconsin DOJ.

08/11/2026

“Baitinger-Peterson has never previously been involved in a deadly force incident, Jim Palmer, executive director of the [WPPA], told Newsweek in a statement.

“‘That record is important because Officer Baitinger-Peterson should not be defined solely by a few seconds from the most dangerous encounter of his career,’ Palmer said. ‘He deserves to have his actions evaluated fairly, on the basis of all the evidence, rather than through speculation fueled by an incomplete public account.’

“The officers involved in the fatal altercation are receiving legal representation through the WPPA, the state’s largest police union.

“‘Officer Baitinger-Peterson has devoted more than a decade to serving the Madison community. His career has included neighborhood and community-policing assignments, service on a team focused on gang and neighborhood crime, and work as a certified instructor entrusted with training other officers,’ Palmer of the WPPA said.

“Palmer said Baitinger-Peterson and his family have faced threats in recent weeks.

“‘Appropriate precautions are being taken to protect their safety, along with the safety of the other officers involved in this incident,’ he said. ‘We would ask the public and the media to recognize the very real safety consequences that can follow the identification of an officer in a highly publicized case.’

“Baitinger-Peterson and the other officers involved have ‘voluntarily cooperated with that investigation from the outset,’ Palmer added.

“‘We continue to urge everyone to reserve judgment until the independent investigation is complete and all of the evidence can be fairly considered.’

Baitinger-Peterson, a white officer, fired the shots that killed Corey Ruiz in Madison, Wisconsin, on July 22, authorities said.

08/11/2026

“The [WPPA], which is representing Officer Baitinger-Peterson, said in a statement that he was cooperating fully with the investigation, adding that he and his family had been subject to threats after the shooting.

“‘Given the ongoing independent investigation, we continue to urge the public to reserve judgment until that process is complete and all of the evidence is available,’ Jim Palmer, the association’s executive director, said in the statement.”

A Black man was shot and killed by the police on Wednesday, not far from the Wisconsin Capitol. An investigation is underway.

08/11/2026

“Jim Palmer, the executive director of the [WPPA], said he appreciated the DOJ's confirmation of those facts.

"’I appreciate DOJ’s confirmation of several important facts regarding this incident, including that officers were responding to an alleged burglary attempt, Corey Ruiz brandished a knife and injured Officer Kiel Baitinger-Peterson, and two other officers unsuccessfully attempted to use tasers,’ Palmer said.”

MADISON, Wis. -- On Monday, the Wisconsin Department of Justice released the name of the officer who shot and killed Corey Ruiz on July 22.

08/10/2026

“[DOJ] also said in its Aug. 10 press release two officers attempted to use a stun gun on Ruiz. That’s a new detail in the shooting, as bystander footage of the attempted arrest and shooting shows only one officer’s attempted use. The bystander footage begins mid-attempted arrest and does not depict anything before.”

The state’s Division of Criminal Investigation identified the police officer who fatally shot Corey Ruiz on July 22 in Madison.

08/10/2026

“Jim Palmer, executive director of the [WPPA], which is the state's largest police union and represents Madison officers, said he had concerns now that the officer had been publicly identified.

“‘I am deeply concerned for the safety and privacy of him, his family, and the other officers involved,’ Palmer said.

“He said those concerns are being taken seriously and ‘appropriate precautions’ are in place.

“‘I urge everyone to allow the investigation to proceed and to refrain from prejudging the officers or placing them and their families at further risk,’ Palmer said.”

Authorities have released the name of the Madison police officer who shot and killed a 38-year-old Black man last month in Wisconsin's capital city, Madison

08/10/2026

“The officers are receiving legal representation through the [WPPA], the state’s largest police union, which represents Madison officers.

“‘Kiel and the other involved officers have voluntarily and fully cooperated with the independent investigation from the outset,’ the WPPA said in a statement on Monday.

“‘Now that Kiel has been publicly identified, we are deeply concerned for the safety and privacy of him, his family and the other officers involved. We urge everyone to allow the investigation to proceed and to refrain from prejudging the officers or placing them and their families at further risk.’”

The officer who fatally shot Corey Ruiz in Madison had nearly 11 years of law enforcement experience.

08/10/2026

“In a statement Monday, the state police union, the [WPPA], said that in the weeks since Ruiz’s killing, Baitinger-Peterson and his family have been the subject of threats.

“‘People have every right to scrutinize an officer’s actions and await the results of the independent investigation, but nothing about this incident can justify threatening an officer’s family,’ the statement says. ‘They played no role in what occurred and should never be made to fear for their safety simply because a member of their family is a police officer.’”

The officer, Kiel Baitinger-Peterson, has 10 years and 10 months of law enforcement experience, the DOJ said. Madison police most recently listed him as a member of a community policing

08/07/2026

08/07/2026

“The [WPPA] also sent a statement in response to the interactions with the Independent Police monitor and police, questioning her objectivity in the matter:

“The [PCOB] is not simply an outside supporter of the Independent Monitor. Under Madison’s ordinance, it is responsible for hiring, supervising, and evaluating the Monitor. Its public defense of Ms. Glass, without any apparent independent review of what occurred, therefore raises additional concerns about whether Madison’s oversight structure is capable of holding itself accountable.’”

MADISON (WKOW) — Questions are growing about the authority of Madison's Office of the Independent Police Monitor after a confrontation between Interim Independent Police Monitor Aeiramique Glass and police officers