Mike J. Brandel

How they died

Deadly force

Deputy Tom Cruppenink shot Mike J. Brandel, who had bipolar disorder, when he allegedly attacked Cruppenink and deputies Pete Miller and Doug Miller with a sharp piece of wood. Brandel's landlord called police at around 6:45 p.m. saying that Brandel was in a rage and breaking items in his apartment. The landlord also said Brandel seemed to not recognize him when he'd tried to intervene. According to police, Brandel threw a jar through a window and then struggled with deputies before Cruppenink shot him three times, killing him.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Mike J. Brandel, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources