Oneida County Deputy Cleared in Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting

An Oneida County deputy will not face criminal charges following a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred in June in the Town of Lake Tomahawk.

After reviewing the investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, the Oneida County District Attorney determined Deputy Justin Orth was justified in using deadly force.

The shooting happened June 17 as Deputies Orth and Alyssa Knabenbauer attempted to arrest 76-year-old John Krga on charges of first-degree sexual assault of a child and repeated sexual assault of the same child.According to investigators, Krga resisted arrest and produced a semi-automatic handgun during the encounter. Authorities say Krga ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon before firing. Deputy Orth then fired multiple rounds, striking Krga. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Deputy Knabenbauer did not discharge her firearm.

The District Attorney concluded Deputy Orth’s use of deadly force was legally justified based on the findings of the state investigation was also at the scene but did not fire her weapon.