Officers cleared in Clark County shooting

By Hub City Times staff

NEILLSVILLE — Two law enforcement officers involved in the fatal shooting of a suspect following a Clark County chase have been cleared.

On May 11, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation initiated an investigation at the request of Clark County Sheriff Greg Herrick

The investigation involved an incident when law enforcement attempted to make a traffic stop on a man with a felony warrant. A high-speed chase ensued that ended when stop sticks were deployed. The man, 51-year-old Kelly Gene Abbott of the Black River Falls area, exited the vehicle and presented a firearm. Abbott, Clark County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas Klemm, and Loyal Police Officer Jacob Schar exchanged fire.

Klemm and Schar were not injured, while Abbott was struck. The officers rendered first-aid to Abbott, and first responders transported him to an area hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.

Klemm and Schar had been placed on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation, per the departments’ policies.

District Attorney Kerra Stumbris said in a statement that the actions by Schar and Klemm were a reasonable act of self-defense.