DOJ takes over investigation in Amherst standoff that ended in suspect’s death

Wausau Pilot & Review

State officials are now in charge of a death investigation, after a nearly 24-hour standoff in Amherst that ended when police found the suspect’s body in an attic.

The situation unfolded on July 25 when police from the Portage County Sheriff’s Department, Marathon County Sheriff’s Department and Stevens Point/Plover tactical teams served a warrant at a home in the 400 block of Mill Avenue in the village of Amherst and an arrest warrant for 32-year-old Jeffery E. Miller.

Miller was wanted in connection with a high speed pursuit in which he allegedly crashed his vehicle and shot at an officer on July 23 in Sauk County. The officer was injured in the shooting, police said.

Police say Miller opened fire from the attic of the home when tactical teams arrived on scene and a standoff ensued. Several occupants were removed from the property and five people are facing criminal charges of harboring a felon, court records show.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Miller refused commands to surrender and remained inside. Several tactics including deploying gas into the home was attempted, but Miller continued to fire at police periodically throughout the ordeal.

Ultimately, police entered the home on Friday, July 26 and found Miller dead with a firearm near his body. Police say none of their officers fired on Miller and autopsy results suggest the man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

DCI is leading this investigation and are assisted by the Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, and a DCI Crime Response Specialist. All involved law enforcement are fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation.

DCI is continuing to review evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over investigative reports to the Portage County District Attorney w