On JANUARY 27, 2022, Milwaukee Police Officer Herbert Davis responded to the area of 21st Street and St. Paul Avenue after someone reported a man slumped over inside a vehicle. Police later identified the man as 22-YEAR-OLD JETRIN RODTHONG.

A WELFARE CHECK SUDDENLY TURNS DANGEROUS

Bodycam footage showed Davis approaching the vehicle and finding Rodthong apparently unconscious behind the wheel.

After the officer spoke with him and asked him to step outside, the encounter changed dramatically. According to the criminal complaint, Rodthong picked up an object that he attempted to keep out of the officer's view. Investigators said it was a firearm. He then attempted to run, leading to a struggle with Davis.

WITHIN MOMENTS, A CALL TO HELP SOMEONE HAD BECOME A FIGHT FOR THE OFFICER'S LIFE.

GUNFIRE ERUPTS

Prosecutors said Rodthong pointed the weapon toward Davis and opened fire.

The officer was struck but managed to return fire. Investigators said Rodthong was also wounded during the exchange. Nearly 14 shots were fired during the confrontation, according to reporting based on the criminal complaint.

Despite his injuries, Rodthong allegedly continued trying to escape.

Then he made an extraordinary move.

HE RAN TO THE WOUNDED OFFICER'S SQUAD CAR, CLIMBED INSIDE AND DROVE AWAY.

Davis could later be heard over police radio reporting that shots had been fired, that he needed medical assistance and that the suspect had stolen his cruiser.

THE STOLEN SQUAD CAR CRASHES

Rodthong drove through Milwaukee in the stolen police vehicle before crashing into another vehicle near 17TH AND CLYBOURN STREETS.

The other driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Rodthong then abandoned the wrecked cruiser and continued fleeing on foot. Officers eventually arrested him near 17th Street and Wisconsin Avenue. Police recovered the suspect's firearm from the stolen squad car.

Both Rodthong and Officer Davis survived their gunshot wounds.

Davis was released from the hospital the following day.

SERIOUS CHARGES FOLLOWED

Prosecutors charged Rodthong with multiple offenses, including ATTEMPTED FIRST-DEGREE INTENTIONAL HOMICIDE WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON, operating a vehicle without the owner's consent while armed, felony bail jumping, recklessly endangering safety, hit-and-run causing injury and possession of methamphetamine.

Investigators also reported finding substances that tested positive for opiates, methamphetamine and fentanyl after his arrest. According to the complaint, Rodthong admitted using methamphetamine and heroin before his encounter with Davis.

The case did not end with the arrest.

Rodthong later PLEADED GUILTY TO ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE in connection with shooting Officer Davis and received a prison sentence exceeding 40 years.

A CALL FOR HELP BECOMES A SHOOTOUT

The incident illustrates how unpredictable even a seemingly routine police call can become.

Officer Davis was not initially dispatched to investigate a violent crime. He was sent to check on someone who might have been sick or injured.

Minutes later, he had been shot, his police cruiser had been stolen and another citywide response was underway.

Three civilians later came to the wounded officer's aid while emergency crews were still responding. Davis subsequently met and thanked the men who remained beside him during one of the worst moments of his life.

A SIMPLE WELFARE CHECK TURNED INTO GUNFIRE, AN INJURED OFFICER, A STOLEN SQUAD CAR AND A CRASH ACROSS MILWAUKEE.

The released police footage captures just how quickly the situation changed and how a call intended to help someone became a life-or-death encounter.

The officer approached expecting a routine welfare check. Seconds later, gunfire erupted. Keep watching to see how the encounter turned into a desperate escape in the officer's own squad car.