Jonathan Otto, Devoted Father and Milwaukee Tow Truck Driver, Dies in Tragic Police-Involved Shooting on South Side Streets
Jonathan Otto, a 35-year-old father of two and respected tow truck driver, tragically passed away on March 12th after a police encounter escalated on Milwaukee’s south side, leaving family and community members in shock and grief.
The incident occurred shortly before 10 a.m. near 12th Street and Burnham Street, when officers approached Otto for a patrol violation. Otto refused to exit his flatbed tow truck, prompting an officer to attempt to remove him, leading to a tense confrontation as Otto drove through several blocks with the officer clinging to the vehicle.
Authorities say the situation ended near 15th Street and Grant Avenue when the officer fired, striking Otto, who died at the scene. The officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was placed on administrative duty, while the passenger in the truck was treated as a precaution.
Otto’s mother, Tracy Broyld, described her son as a loving father and dedicated worker who made mistakes but was not violent. “He loved his family and his job,” she said, expressing the difficulty of explaining this loss to his children.
Friends and relatives gathered near the scene to grieve and share memories. Social media condolences reflected the community’s sorrow, with one friend writing, “Our hearts are shattered—prayers for Jonathan’s family during this painful time.”
A fundraiser, “Honoring Jonathan ‘Jaybird’ Otto,” has been established to support funeral costs and his surviving family. Investigations are ongoing under the Milwaukee Area Investigative Team, with family access to body-camera footage expected within 48 hours.
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