Waukesha County Sheriff's Office Investigating Villarreal's Death

Alfredo Emilio Villarreal

Villarreal had been assaulted by an inmate or inmates at the Walworth County jail and was taken to Aurora Lakeland Medical Center for treatment, according to family members. 

By H. Nelson Goodson

January 24, 2013

Town of Geneva, WI - On Monday, a Walworth County deputy sheriff fatally shot Alfredo Emilio Villarreal, 18, of Janesville, an inmate being held for probation and parole hold who was taken to the Aurora Lakeland Medical Center (ALMC) in the Town of Geneva for treatment. Villarreal was "undergoing tests and observation for a personal medical issue," according the Walworth County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) press release. Villarreal had been convicted for a battery charge.

At ALMC, Villarreal attempted to escape by attacking the deputy guarding him. Villarreal struck and kicked the deputy multiple times in the face and then tried to hit the deputy with a chair. The deputy tried to used his Taser to control Villarreal, but the Taser failed to operate it. The deputy then fatally shot Villarreal at the scene.

Walworth County Sheriff David Graves said, the deputy's Taser failed to work. The incident occurred shortly after the deputy had released Villarreal's shackles from his bed so, he could go to the bathroom.

The WCSO released the following statement, "At approximately 6:47 p.m., Villarreal attacked the Deputy in an attempt to escape custody, punching and kicking the Deputy in the face multiple times. The Deputy called for assistance and multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the medical center. The Deputy deployed (his) Taser, which failed to stop the inmate.

Villarreal then used a chair to try to break out the window in his room. When this attempt failed, the inmate attempted to strike the Deputy over the head with the chair. The Deputy discharged (his) handgun, striking the inmate. Lifesaving measures were immediately implemented by law enforcement and medical staff.

Villarreal died at the scene," the WCSO reported. The Deputy has not been identified and has been placed in administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation. 

Villarreal's family says, Villarreal had no medical issues, but had beenrecently assaulted by an inmate or inmates while in custody. That's why he was taken to ALMC for treatment. The WCSO hasn't confirmed, that Villarreal had been beaten by an inmate at the jail.

The WCSO has turned over the investigation of Villarreal's death to the Waukesha County Sheriff's Office.