Bravery Under Fire: 2 Officers Honored for Saving Domestic Abuse Victim

The two Waukesha police officers who pulled an elderly domestic abuse victim to safety in the midst of a shootout with her 76-year-old ex-husband were honored Sunday evening by the Wisconsin Professional Police Association with a meritorious award, according to Police Chief Russell Jack.

“For exceptional ability, courage, fidelity and devotion to duty, thereby exemplifying the highest tradition of law enforcement,” the award states, according to Jack.

Waukesha police officers Amanda Bauer and Jan Corrigan shot at Richard Petarius 26 times at after he pointed his shotgun toward Bauer moments after the police officers pulled his ex-wife, who was injured with a broken arm, from her home, court records state.

“Congratulations to each of them for this award, which was a result of their bravery under fire on October 23, 2012,” Jack said in an email.

A restraining order against Petarius ordered him to stay away from the elderly woman, but he came to the home after a court proceeding didn’t go his way Oct. 23. He brought a shotgun he stole from a relative before heading to a court proceeding on Oct. 23, according to court documents.

“The suspect did make some remarks to his daughter that he was married 53 years ago, and 'til death do we part,” Jack said at a news conference in October.

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Police first shot toward Petarius when he leveled the gun toward Bauer, court records state. Petarius wasn’t hit and he returned fire and nearly hit Bauer with bullet debris grazing her head, court records state. Petarius wasn’t injured in the shootout, but he is charged with several felonies, including the attempted homicide of Bauer.

A trial date has been set for Aug. 13 if a plea does not move forward at a July 12 hearing.

Bauer and Corrigan were honored with the highest award the Waukesha Police Department gives to police officers at a Common Council meeting late last year.