Crime & Safety
Cop in Mall Gun Discharge Fined
A Milwaukee police officer whose gun accidentally discharged in the mall last year pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay a fine—and possibly to replace something the police have kept.
The Milwaukee police officer whose gun went off in Southrige Mall last year must pay a fine of $1,000, court costs and possibly to replace a pair of jeans the police department kept as evidence.
Michael Edwards, 46, was originally charged with endangering safety by use of a deadly weapon but pleaded guilty last week to the reduced charge of disorderly conduct. He was sentenced Wednesday.
Edwards said he was "deeply ashamed and embarrassed" by the "unfortunate accident," according to video of the sentencing from WISN.com.
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"This incident has scarred me and affected my life every day since it occurred," Edwards said at the hearing.
Edwards was at Auntie Anne's Pretzel with his fiancee on Nov. 2, 2011. When Edwards reached into his left back pocket for his wallet he felt the gun slide down into his pants, he told police at the time. He reached for the gun and it went off. The .40 caliber gun did not have a safety and had not been secured in a holster, according to the complaint.
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The criminal complaint also said that a witness, Amanda Studebaker, was at Auntie Anne’s Pretzel when she heard "a very loud bang and felt something hit the back of her leg and then felt a stinging sensation."
Edwards was also ordered to pay restitution of $40 to Studebaker if her jeans are not returned in good order from the Greendale Police Department, according to court records.
Edwards also is the president of the Milwaukee Police Supervisors' Organization.
