Milwaukee Mayor Beaten With Pipe

Mayor Tom Barrett lost two teeth, had a broken arm, which required surgery, and suffered head injuries

By H. Nelson Goodson
August 16, 2009
Updated: August 18. 2009

Milwaukee – On Sunday, Anthony J. Peters, 20, was arrested at about 1 p.m. by police in the 1700 block of W. State St. in connection with Saturday’s night metal pipe beating of Mayor Tom Barrett. Barrett was attending the Wisconsin State Fair with family members and did not have his assigned police bodyguard at the time of the attack.
Barrett was leaving at about 10:45 p.m. from the Wisconsin State Fair with family members when he noticed Peters having an altercation with several people in the 8800 block of W. Orchard St. in West Allis. A woman was crying out for help and trying to protect her 1-year-old granddaughter from Peters, when Barrett came to their aid. Peters was apparently distraught that he was not allowed to see his daughter.

Peters who weighs at least 260 lbs. seemed intoxicated, threaten to shoot himself and others, and had taken a cell phone from a woman he was arguing with, according to police.
Barrett intervene to help qualm the domestic situation and was trying to call 911, when Peters took out a pipe (police style extended metal baton) and began to beat Barrett. Barrett managed to punch Peters before he fled the scene. West Allis police responded to the 911 incident, and Barrett was taken to Froedtert Hospital.
Mayor Barrett will spend at least two days recovering at the hospital. Barrett lost two teeth, had a broken arm, which required surgery, and suffered head injuries. Despite the serious injuries, Barrett is expected to fully recover. “Two teeth were knocked out, a back molar was also chipped to the base, and he had arm surgery,” said John Barrett, Tom’s brother. Barrett's injuries to the back of his head had to be stapled shut, and would need plastic surgery due to a significant cut to the face.
Peters was described as a Native American originally from Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin, and during a press conference on Sunday afternoon Milwaukee Police Chief Edward A. Flynn said, "Last night, Peters was a totally violent and vicious thug, and that's how he behaved." Peters is facing a felony charge for assault with a weapon, according to Flynn.
Governor Jim Doyle visited Barrett on Sunday. Colleagues and public officials are hailing Barrett as a good Samaritan, who help prevent a woman and a child from potential harm.
On Monday, Barrett was released from the hospital. President Barack Obama had talked to Barrett earlier in the day and commended him for his bravery.