Wis. suit quotes gunman: 'I am the cops'

An off-duty sheriff's deputy boasted "I am the cops" before he gunned down six young people at a late-night party last year, according to claims seeking millions of dollars in damages filed Monday.

Forest County Clerk Ann Mihalko said 12 notices of claim were filed with her office, the first step in a possible wrongful death lawsuit alleging that negligence by Tyler Peterson's employers contributed to the tragedy last October.

Four victims' estates or parents are seeking money from the county for their deaths, and the lone survivor is seeking compensation for his injuries.

Similar claims were filed with the city, said Crandon City Attorney Lindsay Erickson.

If local governments deny the claims, the next step would be a lawsuit.

The claims, which named Crandon Police Chief John Dennee and Forest County Sheriff Keith Van Cleve as defendants, seek a total of more than $5 million in damages.

The parents seek the money for the loss of their child and unspecified "emotional and financial harm," the claims said.

A message left for Van Cleve was not immediately returned. A call to the Crandon police was answered by a dispatcher who said Dennee had gone home for the day. No home listing was available for Dennee.

Forest County counsel Paul Payant did not immediately return a telephone message Monday.

Peterson, a 20-year-old who died after the rampage, was also a part-time Crandon police officer.

The shooting occurred early Oct. 7 after Peterson showed up at a house party in Crandon to make up with an ex-girlfriend. According to the claims, Peterson was asked to leave and warned that if he didn't, the police would be called.

"I am the cops," Peterson responded, according to the claims.

Peterson got an assault rifle from his truck, went back inside and started shooting, firing about 30 shots before he fled in his truck, the claims said.

He died hours later after holing up at a friend's property. Authorities have said Peterson suffered what appeared to be self-inflicted head wounds, along with a wound in the arm from a long-range bullet.

The claims said the defendants were negligent in their hiring and supervision of Peterson.

The ex-girlfriend's father filed similar notice last week, alleging the same negligence by the Forest County Sheriff's Department and Crandon Police Department.