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DA: Deputy justified in shooting La Grange man

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Phillip Koss

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Mark S. Beaver

ELKHORN — The sheriff's deputy ordered to work at a desk after shooting a La Grange man Jan. 29 is back to regular duty after the district attorney ruled the use of deadly force was justified.

District Attorney Phil Koss wrote on his report that Deputy Wayne Blanchard's use of deadly force was privileged because he fired his rifle at Mark S. Beaver, La Grange, to defend deputies at the scene and a woman who got into a domestic dispute with Beaver.

“It is clear that the defendant even realizes that himself, after the fact,” Koss wrote.

Court documents show Beaver was intoxicated when he attempted to kill himself and shoot at the deputies. He later admitted to shooting at deputies, though he wasn't sure why, according to the criminal complaint. Beaver told authorities he may have been trying to get deputies to "shoot him dead."

Undersheriff Kurt Picknell said Koss' review is consistent with the Walworth County Sheriff's Office review of the case. Blanchard and other deputies at the scene took professional and decisive actions to stop the immediate threat, he said.

Beaver, 48, is charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, intentionally pointing a firearm at a law enforcement officer and possession of a firearm while intoxicated. He faces more than 19 years in prison and $45,000 in fines.

Beaver was moved to the Walworth County Jail after spending more than two weeks at Froedtert Lutheran Memorial Hospital.

Beaver is expected back in court March 17.