On December 19, 1995, Patrolman Michael R. Baribeau, 38, was killed while responding to a domestic disturbance in Rusk County. Baribeau, a White officer who had served on the Rice Lake Police Department since 1981 and had 14 years on the force, was also a member of the Barron County Emergency Response Team and was deployed as part of a volunteer SWAT response after reports that Thomas Shipley had fired gunshots at his wife and children the previous night.

Baribeau and Barron County Deputy Dave Strohmeyer approached Shipley’s residence; Shipley opened the front door and fired a 12-gauge shotgun at the two officers in what is described as an unprovoked attack. Both officers were wounded, returned fire, and fatally shot Shipley at the scene. Baribeau died of his injuries; Deputy Strohmeyer was seriously wounded but survived. Baribeau was married and left behind a son and a daughter.

Does anyone have additional details about Baribeau’s service or the community response after his death?