James C. Jantz

Patrolman James Jantz was shot and killed when he and his partner stopped three armed men on Highway 12 west of Judson Street in Lake Delton. Before 2:00 a.m., Patrolman Jantz and the Lake Denton police chief were following a vehicle filled with three men who were under surveillance. When they stopped the vehicle, they were shot as they exited their patrol car. Patrolman Jantz was shot twice and instantly killed. The chief was struck under his armpit after the bullet was deflected by a cigarette lighter in his pocket. Another officer arrived at the scene and fired at the fleeing suspects. The three men were wanted in Chicago for several murders and for shooting at police officers. The suspects were all found guilty of Patrolman Jantz's murder. They were sent to prison and eventually paroled. One of the suspects had escaped prison in 1974 and was not captured until 1989, but was still paroled. Patrolman Jantz was a United States Army Reserve veteran and had served with the Sauk County Sheriff's Department for 3 years.