Deputy returns to work after fatal shooting

The law enforcement officer involved in a fatal shooting in Gordon early New Year’s Day is back on the job.

Lt. Chris Hoyt with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department started coming in on a part-time basis the week following the shooting, according to Sheriff Tom Dalbec, and is now back to nearly full-time status.

“We’re happy he’s back,” Dalbec said. “He seems to be doing well.”

Investigation into the incident, which led to the death of 21-year-old Andrew L. Closson of Gordon, is ongoing, according to Agent Jay Smith with the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation. Just after 2 a.m. on New Year’s Day along the U.S. Highway 53 bridge over the St. Croix River, Hoyt shot Closson when the Gordon man apparently raised a deer hunting rifle and pointed it at the deputy. He was pronounced dead later that morning at a Duluth hospital.

Hoyt, a 21-year-veteran of the sheriff’s department, serves as both the patrol lieutenant and commander of the SWAT team. He also lives in Gordon, a small town with a population of 722.

Smith said it takes time to research and evaluate the evidence in these types of cases, and estimated the investigation would take a minimum of 60 days “in order to do right by everybody involved.”

All facts gathered will be presented to Douglas County District Attorney Dan Blank for prosecutorial review to determine if the use of force was justified.

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