Did Democrat Policies Cause a Cop-Killer to Roam Free in Wisconsin?
Two police officers were shot, and one killed, after Gov. Tony Evers' soft-on-crime policies left a serial criminal roaming free to wreak havoc.
Two veteran police officers were tragically gunned down late last month by a serial criminal who managed to evade jail thanks to Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers' (D) soft-on crime-policies.
Officers Kendall Corder and Christopher McCray were ambushed in an alley on June 26 by Tremaine Jones—a repeat offender with a long and violent criminal history. The completely preventable attack tragically claimed the life of Officer Corder and highlights the dangers of "progressive" crime policies that coddle criminals.
Adding insult to injury, Evers—whose crime policies are arguably responsible—decided not to lower the flags to half-mast until Republicans criticized his uninterested response. The flags weren't lowered until nearly four days after the shooting.
Tremaine Jones arrested for ambushing 2 Milwaukee police officers last night should’ve been in prison but was given deferred prosecution by Judge Hannah Dugan—
— D. Scott @eclipsethis2003 (@eclipsethis2003) June 28, 2025
now federally indicted for obstructing ICE/concealing an illegal alien from arrest. pic.twitter.com/HSPWgj1sHK
(RELATED: Tony Evers' Record of Putting Criminals First Caused the Crime Wave)
Painfully Preventable
The death of Officer Corder and injuries sustained by Officer McCray were completely preventable. Jones was a known criminal but managed to avoid jail time due to Gov. Evers' "criminal justice" reforms.
In 2021, Jones was given a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) after engaging in a dangerous high-speed car chase with police. The "deal" allowed him to avoid conviction if he "stayed out of trouble"—but he didn’t.
"Judges get elected, judges make their own decisions, so they have to live by those decisions when it comes election time," said the Milwaukee Police Association President Alex Ayala about the DPA.
The judge, Hannah Dugan, is currently facing federal prosecution for allegedly helping an illegal alien escape apprehension by ICE.
"The suspect in the shooting of two Milwaukee Police officers last night was given a deferred prosecution agreement in 2023 by — you guessed it — suspended Judge Hannah Dugan," wrote former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) on X. "Yet another reason she does not belong on the bench!"
UNBELIEVABLE! AG General Pam Bondi explains what really happened with Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan that led to her arrest by FBI. pic.twitter.com/5RZqxL4Nc2
— David J Harris Jr (@DavidJHarrisJr) April 25, 2025
Between 2024 and 2025, Jones was accused four separate times of domestic violence—which showcased a pattern of escalating violence and should have violated his DPA—but the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute every single case.
Just three months before the shooting, a court commissioner tossed out the charges from Jones' original case, citing "compliance" with the DPA—despite his violent record. Unfortunately, the shooting of Corder and McCray would follow shortly after.
An Evers-Sponsored Crime Wave
During Gov. Evers' term, he has vetoed numerous tough-on-crime policies, released criminals back on the streets, and fought against Republicans to protect criminals—and, to no surprise, crime has skyrocketed.
Between 2019 and 2023, Wisconsin's crime rate increased by a staggering 14 percent. Murder increased by 43 percent, grand theft auto increased by 27 percent, simple assault increased by 14 percent, and aggravated assault increased by 6 percent.
The majority of this crime spree is connected to a wave of criminals released by Gov. Evers. Between 2019 and 2024. Evers expanded "earned release" and fought against strict sentencing. As a result, more than 2,000 inmates were returned to the streets early.
Among those released were individuals convicted of violent crimes—including armed robbery and felony firearm possession. Approximately 40 percent of the criminals were rearrested within two years, and at least 274 of them were convicted murderers or attempted murderers, according to Wisconsin Parole Commission data.
Wisconsinites have seen Gov. Evers' policies come full circle, and it is undeniable that his "criminal justice" reforms have left residents in a vulnerable position. If the Badger state wants to cut down on crime, residents need to elect tough-on-crime lawmakers that will put an end to "progressive" madness.
(READ MORE: Justice Department Threatens to Withhold Federal Election Funds from Wisconsin)
