Probe finds Naperville cops justified in fatal shooting

Two veteran Naperville police officers were justified in the March 22 shooting that killed a suicidal Aurora man, DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin said Tuesday.

The officers — one of whom also was involved in a fatal shooting nine years ago — shot 47-year-old William Ladew several times after he advanced on them with a knife. The officers had responded to a report of a disturbance shortly before 1 a.m. at an apartment at 1135 W. Ogden Ave.

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, Berlin said his office concluded Sgt. Steve Schindlbeck and 10-year officer John Reed were justified in their actions “when William Ladew raised a butcher knife in close proximity to three uniformed police officers.”

“The officers who fired the shots acted lawfully and were justified in the use of deadly force in order to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm,” Berlin wrote.

Police Chief David Dial said both officers have been reinstated to full, active duty.

“The taking of a human life is traumatic for all involved. In this case, it was necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to those present at the scene,” Dial said. “The officers responded to a deadly threat in compliance with the law and the department’s policies and procedures. Therefore, I have reinstated the officers to full, active duty and I welcome their return to their assignments.”

Schindlbeck is a 19-year veteran, who also shot and killed a man who opened fire on police Jan. 23, 2002, in Naperville, after the shooting victim threatened his own family with a knife. After an investigation, that shooting also was found to be a justified use of deadly force.