MARINETTE COUNTY, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is conducting an officer involved death investigation in the City of Niagara that occurred on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
At approximately 1:11 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, Niagara Police Department Officer Rhianna Carne, with two years law enforcement experience, attempted a traffic stop in the City of Niagara. The subject, 57-year-old Steve Mecklenburg, fled the traffic stop at a high rate of speed and swerved into oncoming traffic in the 1000 block of Main Street, hitting a commercial vehicle. Aid was immediately rendered but Mr. Mecklenburg was pronounced deceased on scene. Nobody else was injured during the incident.
Officer Carne was placed on administrative leave, per the agency’s policies.
DCI is leading this investigation and is assisted by the Wisconsin State Patrol, the Marinette County Sheriff’s Office, Niagara Rescue, the Niagara Fire Department and a DCI crime response specialist.
DCI is continuing to review evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over the investigative reports to the Marinette County District Attorney’s Office when the investigation concludes.
Please direct all media inquiries to Wisconsin DOJ.
