Roger Burzinski
On Sunday, August 13 at 5:01 pm the La Crosse Police were dispatched to Houska Park (1013 Houska Dr.) for a report of a carjacking. The female victim reported that a male white approached her, displayed a handgun and stole her vehicle. The victim was able to get herself and her 3 year old child out of the vehicle prior to it being stolen; however, her 1 year old daughter was still in her car seat.
More information and details are now available for this incident:
The responding officers located the stolen vehicle being driven at 10th and Green Bay St. Officers followed the suspect to South Ave and attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver refused to stop and turned north onto 7th St. The suspect led officers on a short pursuit with speeds up to 47 mph. The pursuit proceeded east on Adams St. and then north on 8th St., proceeding through barricades for a section of road construction where the road pavement is totally removed. Ultimately the chase ended with the suspect crashing into a parked vehicle near 8th and Johnson St. Officers gave orders to the suspect but he was refusing to obey officers’ commands. As the officers approached the vehicle, they observed that the suspect was in possession of a weapon. Officers continued to give commands and ultimately fired their weapons at the suspect. Additional details about the shooting, the officers’ actions and decision to fire their weapons will be contained in the Wisconsin’s Division of Criminal Investigations report.
Officer Stephen Hughes and Officer Andrew Adey were the two La Crosse Police Officers who fired their weapons. Officer Stephen Hughes has worked for the La Crosse Police Department since October of 2013 and had 4 years of law enforcement experience prior to being hired with La Crosse. Officer Andrew Adey has worked for the La Crosse Police Department since June of 2012 and was with the Army National Guard for 8 years.
The suspect in this incident was identified as Roger Burzinski 06/08/1963 of Green Bay WI. Burzinski’s actions on August 13th are consistent with his lengthy criminal record which stretches back to 1980. Burzinski had convictions for theft of motor vehicle, armed robbery, 2nd degree sexual assault of a child, knowingly fleeing an officer and resisting arrest.
As stated in the previous release, the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation has been called upon as an independent outside agency to conduct the investigation into the shooting. Per Department policy, the two officers involved in the shooting are on paid administrative leave pending review of the investigation.
Officer Andrew Adey Officer Stephen Hughes
La Crosse PD Newsroom 
Thanks from the hayes family to the lax police department… May god bless you heroes…
Glad something more tragic didn’t happen, but still sad at the loss of life. A good police officer doesn’t sit at home and celebrate that someone was shot and killed, and it saddens me that from the anonymity of computer screens that others do.
Another example why I support our law enforcement police. Excellent job!!!
Awesome job.thanks
Your efforts in keeping LaCrosse safe are so appreciated! We pray daily for officer safety and thank God for his favor. Moments like this define your skill.
Your efforts in keeping LaCrosse safe are so appreciated! We pray daily for officer safety and thank God for his favor. Moments like this define your skill.
Even in a clearly justified shooting like this, I can still imagine this tragic event weighs heavily on these Officers. The community is behind you as well as your other brothers in blue. The LCPD represents the epitome of professionalism. In a thankless service like law enforcement, perhaps the only we can do to show our appreciation is simply say THANK YOU, Officer Adey and Officer Hughes!
Nice job, Officers. I’m sure you don’t hear that enough.
Thank you for your service. Who knows how this would have ended if you were not there to assist.
I’d love to buy those officers a beer… Thank you, gentlemen.
What a great job. You should both be awarded medals
This just gave me goosebumps knowing that these officers saved the little child’s life. Good work.
Good job !
With all the negative media surrounding Officer involved ahootings, THIS incident should be held up as the example of what TO do. Kudos & thanks!
keep up the good work!!
Great job officers.
Good job guys just think if he got away with the baby . They dod thete job.
Thank you, officers, for standing & holding the line. For making the tough decisions so we can all be safe. As a mom, as a medic & as a fellow officer’s wife…thank you for your service to your community. My prayers join my gratitude to both of you as well as your families, for all you do, every shift.
Thank you, officers, for standing & holding the line. For making the tough decisions so we can all be safe. As a mom, as a medic & as a fellow officer’s wife…thank you for your service to your community. My prayers join my gratitude to both of you as well as your families, for all you do, every shift.
Thanks for the great work guys
Thank God for your service.
Thank you all for what you do for all of us each and every day.
Job well done by my Brothers in Blue