On June 12 Officer Sam Schwabenlander sustained a gunshot wound to the leg after responding to a call regarding men brandishing fire arms near 46th Street and Hampton Avenue. 

Schwabenlander and a suspect exchanged gunfire resulting in both the officer and the 39-year-old suspect sustaining injuries, according to WISN. A fellow officer transported Schwabenlander to the hospital. (RELATED: Milwaukee Educator Self-Deports Amid Trump-Era Immigration Pressure)

Milwaukee is currently experiencing a 9% increase in murders in 2025. American cities have experienced an increase in murder rates that some experts link to soft-on-crime policies. The Manhattan Institute noted connections between lax local prosecution and increased crime rates.

Many states have reversed previous soft-on-crime policies including Oregon recriminalizing drug possession and two ballot measures in San Francisco expanding police surveillance and imposing drug screenings for those receiving welfare.

Schwabenlander was released from the hospital the next day to a round of applause. He walked out of the hospital with the help of crutches and the support of his wife. The car was received a motorcycle escort. (RELATED: Milwaukee Memorial Day Weekend Marred by Six Shootings, Two Dead)

“Being able to see that he’s coming out on his own with his wife next to him and his brother and his family here is really a special moment for us all. It’s inspiring. And this is where we are able to say thank you to him. But also he wanted to say to the community, thank you for your support,” said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman.

Two men, one 39 and one 19 were arrested without incident following the shooting.