TOWN OF LAFAYETTE, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is conducting an officer involved death investigation in the Town of Lafayette, Chippewa County, Wis. that occurred on the evening of Saturday, December 21, 2024.

At approximately 11:31 pm, Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a domestic abuse incident in the Town of Lafayette. Matthew H. Luke, 49, fled the scene in a vehicle prior to law enforcement’s arrival. Deputies later located Luke’s vehicle and attempted to stop the vehicle as part of the domestic abuse investigation. Luke fled law enforcement, and later crashed his vehicle near the intersection of County Highway K and 50th Avenue in the Town of Lafayette. Following the crash, Luke fired a weapon at law enforcement, striking at least one squad car from the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office. The Eau Claire Regional SWAT Team was called in to assist and upon their arrival, Luke continued firing at law enforcement, striking an armored vehicle. Two Regional SWAT Team operators, Eau Claire Police Department Detective Zacharia A. Becker, 6 years law enforcement service, and Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Joseph B. Desprez, 10 years law enforcement service, discharged their weapons. EMS was contacted and law enforcement attempted life saving measures, however Luke was pronounced deceased on scene.

Detective Becker is on administrative duty and Trooper Desprez is on administrative leave, per agencies’ policies.

DCI is leading this investigation and are assisted by a DCI Crime Response Specialist, Wisconsin State Patrol and the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office. All involved law enforcement are fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation.

DCI is continuing to review evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over the investigative reports to the Chippewa County District Attorney’s office when the investigation concludes.

Please direct all media inquiries to Wisconsin DOJ.

View this press release on the Wisconsin DOJ website here.

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