Iowa State Patrol names escaped Wis. inmate killed after chase

Published 4:07 pm Saturday, June 25, 2011

The Iowa State Patrol has identified an escaped inmate who was shot and killed by an Iowa state trooper Tuesday afternoon following an hour-long high speed chase as John M. Pekrun.

Pekrun, 30, was wielding a hunting knife when he was shot and killed by trooper Tyrel Williamson, whose name was released by the state patrol Friday. Williamson is on paid administrative leave while the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation looks into the incident.

Pekrun, of Wauwatosa, Wis., had escaped a Wisconsin prison and reportedly stole a 2002 Chevy Silverado pick-up from an Iowa Department of Transportation garage.

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An arrest warrant was issued for Pekrun Tuesday morning and Iowa troopers spotted him around noon. Law enforcement chased him from Iowa to Mower County and back to Iowa before he was run off the road by officers.

According to scanner traffic during the chase, officers in Minnesota were setting up spike strips near Interstate 90 and Highway 56 when the man began heading west on Interstate 90. Pekrun exited the freeway before reaching Highway 56 and led police through back roads in Mower County.

Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi said officers lost the vehicle around Lake Louise State Park near LeRoy. Pekrun then re-entered Iowa.

An officer tried to subdue Pekrun with a Tazer after he rolled the vehicle. The Tazer missed and Pekrun reportedly charged at Williamson with a knife. The trooper then shot and killed Pekrun.

The Department of Investigation routinely conducts investigations when an officer is involved in a shooting, according to the Iowa State Patrol.