Man accused of trying to kill Plover cop who shot him

STEVENS POINT – Prosecutors have filed attempted homicide charges against a man accused of attacking an officer with a knife at a traffic stop in Plover Friday.

Brett Lieberman, 33, is accused of coming at Plover Police Officer Andrew Hopfensperger with a knife. Lieberman, of Manawa, faces attempted first-degree intentional homicide charges. Hopfensperger shot Lieberman, stopping the attack, Plover Police Chief Dwayne Wierzba said.

Hopfensperger shot Lieberman with his department-issued handgun as Lieberman ran toward his squad car with a knife after a traffic stop, according to a news release from the Plover Police Department.

According to the release:

Hopfensperger pulled Lieberman's car over at 6:53 p.m. Friday after seeing Lieberman driving erratically on Highway 54 traveling toward Plover. After Lieberman's car stopped, Lieberman immediately jumped out of the vehicle and came at Hopfensperger with a knife drawn. Hopfensperger stopped Lieberman by shooting him.

Lieberman remains hospitalized, Plover Police Capt. Gary Widder said, but Widder did not know in which hospital he is being treated or his condition.

Hopfensperger will remain on administrative leave until both the Plover Police Department and the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation complete reviews of the shooting, Widder said.

"The initial review is that it's justifiable force," Widder said. "That's based on our initial findings. Once there's a more in-depth investigation we'll have further information."

Wisconsin Department of Justice communications officer Dana Brueck said DCI's investigation into the shooting and attack is ongoing.

Portage County District Attorney Louis Molepske was not available for comment Thursday.

B.C. Kowalski can be reached at 715-345-2251. Find him on Twitter as @BCreporter.