I feel that this tragic event is another sign of an underlying cruelty streak rampant among younger people today, something I have have seen in chat rooms and on the street. Only this time, the mean was done to someone unstable and with the ability to strike back, and he did. What ever happened to civility, diplomacy and compassion?

Hmm, haven't heard anyone calling for a gun ban over this....interesting.

GREG

What worries me is that our nation's civilian nuclear power plants, and shipments of nuclear waste, rely on local law enforcement officers for the last line of defense in case of a terrorist attack.  The plant/shipment guards are only supposed to delay the terrorists until the local law enforcement arrive to defeat the threat.  Yet this case shows that the local law enforcement is not subject to human reliability monitoring such as psychological screening.  Most local police are not adequately checked for credit problems and drug/alcohol abuse either, which is a glaring weakness in our nations civilian nuclear physical protection program.  Just read the news everyday, at least a few local law enforcement commit serious crimes.....

This is a horrible tragedy! When you are in a small place like this it touches your heart around every corner.If you dont know the kids you know a brother mom dad aunt or someone who is very close to this.My heart goes out to the victims families and our community

Something snapped alright.  America Snapped.  Most of our police officers are walking time bombs, power seekers and control freeks.  We hire politically not by qualifications.  Looking for a Good Country to live.  US is way down the list today.

When I was 20, I was a sergeant in the U.S. Army.  I don't believe his age has anything to do with it.  I think there are a lot of people, 20+, that don't have the skills to deal with a relationship that is no longer.  I feel terribly bad for the families of all that lost somebody.  I too lost a child to murder.  He was 25 when he was killed.  It's painful all around.

You get angry. A gun is nearby. It can fire thirty shots quickly. You are sorry afterwards. You wouldn't have done it if there was time to calm down. One of the reasons why it doesn't happen as often in civilized countries where guns are less available; countries where life is valued more. In some countries cops don't even carry guns (The United Kingdom and New Zealand, for example).

20 year old kids are still kids do not think he
should have been full time sheriff

I find it a bit puzzling that some folks think a 20 year old should not be on a police force, when we give 18 year olds rifles, gernades, machine guns and then send them half way around the world to police in a city where the culture is total foreign to them.  I do not think age is the issue.  I think respect for others and a value for human life are the issues here.  It is not alright to call others "worthless pigs", and it is not alright to take another persons life.  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

We seem to live in a day and time when it is felt that hurt and disappointment can be settled by absolute violence. "Snapped" may be a reason for this type of violence but it is not an acceptable excuse.  It's not only about this young man being age 20, because we send our youth to war at 18...it's about our seemingly inability as adults (and 20 is considered an adult)to deal with emotional situations in such a way that we can move on and recover and follow a new avenue. Emotional immaturity is a valid disease today with our teenagers and young adults; but perhaps we older adults (I'm 53) have somehow help set the stage (???).  The violence in Crandon is a story that we seem to see happening all the time all over the U.S.  What can we do to heal the mental and emotional storms of our fellow human beings (young and old) so that this unnecessary violence is not continuously repeated?  Draw close your loved ones, families, friends and community...pray for peace and understanding.
Pamela, Columbus, Oh

I live close to where this happened, know people involved. What bothers me is that the county officials knew he was unstable. He had charges of rape against him, which was thrown out of court because of 'lack of evidence'. Two that I am fully aware of, yet continue to let this youngster 'protect and serve'. Just mind boggling that this was allowed to happen. Wisconsin needs tougher requirements for police officers! 20 miles north theres a pedafile cop (Minocqua wisconsin) and now 20 miles west theres a rampage cop. What next before the state steps up and really starts to get tough?

When I hear that the others (and these others are children mind you...14-18) were calling him a 'worthless pig' that is no excuse for this at all! These children are not to blame for this horrible tragedy. They were victims. This young cop was unstable, he was angry and he had a weapon. For him to 'calmly explain' to his long time friend what he just did, shows me he had this planned. He was a control freak, one that took his control to a different level. I pray that the families of the victims find peace in the future.

In a culture of violence that we live in and exposed to daily in media we become desenseitized to killing.
Emotions and insults harm everyone deeply and we dont learn from this horror and school shootings to just be kind to everyone and treat with respect. I live in a small Vermont community and years ago a police chief snapped and killed 2 people in Walpole NH he was an adult in his 40s and he then killed himself.

I am so sorry,my thoughts and prayers goes out to all
the families that lost a love one.I pray that GOD will come in and comfort you all.GOD is the GOD of mercy and the FATHER of all comfort,and if you let HIM,HE will make you satified,because HE done it for me when my mother died,and what GOD do for one,HE will do for all.what Peterson did was not of him,but
of satan.I am telling you the truth because satan came into my home one night, took over my mind and
had me ready to kill some people just like Peterson
did,but our GOD that set high and look low came right behind satan and stopped me from doing it.you see an idle mind is the devil workshop.our GOD will go before us as a leading lamb and come behind us as a
protected angle.so don't blame Peterson,blame satan.
so I am telling you all not to give up but look unto
the LORD where all our help come from.HE is the one that is able to carry us through any death,trouble,
and anything,so put your healing,trust,and faith in
the LORD and HE will carry you through.

My prayrs are with the whole community. We must learn not to belittle people with words that will interfer wih their thinking that may cause something like this to happen.  

It goes to show that we can never be sure of what can make a person snap age is'nt the reason as much as school and training to see what a person can take and can not take but when it comes to love and hate relastionships even the most trained police officers have killed there lovers there is a thin line between sane and insane in alote of people and its always shocking when its the ones we would never dream would do such a awfull act.Psychological screening helps find those that are ill at the time but for those that are not it most likely will not reveal itself till something awfull happens its the moment,the time, the words, the feelings, sometimes its years, then something as you worthless pig can make that person snap.The bottom line is it does'nt matter if your a officer of the law or bricklayer we need to learn that there are better ways to deal with life and the downfalls,untill we do it wont stop and we also must learn that the way we talk to each other in this country is awfull and we play a big roll in how others feel about themselfs could it be that each one of us in some way have said things that could have been the words to push someone over the thin line i know i have and it makes me think ,the bottom line is we all need to change and maybe just maybe all these awfull things will not happen so much.

Everyone should remember that each person has a soul no matter what title they may carry. the fact that peterson was a deputy should not be an issue beacuse when it is all said and done he was a human being with emotions just like me and you. he actions should be looked at as a troubled young man desperate for help who allowed his emotions to take the better part of him. please don't say never because until you walk in those shoes you will never know what you will do. this could have been a 30, 50, or even 70 year old man. time to focus on all the families that have taken a loss including the peterson family which my herart goes out to all.

It seems to me we are centered on the fact that he was a cop. Watch the news I mean 20 yr.,olds kill people every day. Remember just because someone wears a badge does'nt mean you can't call a all a badge to have them removed. MY PRAYERS TO THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS AND THE FAMILY OF THE SHOOTER.

At the age of 18 my son joined the US Marine Corp. now at age 23 he is looking at becoming a police officer. He was a boy when he left for the Marine corp, Now he is a man. I seen the a big change in him when he came home for a visit. My point is, all police officers should have military back grounds, at any age....

It is always the same in this country
You blame the shooter don’t get me wrong it’s not Okay to shoot any one, however no one takes any responsibility for their own actions the bullies in this country the woman in this country think they can keep insulting any one, and keep get away with it until they do it to the wrong person, call names ridicule and humiliate people,
Most shooting happen because of ridicule, people in this country need to take responsibility for what they say and do every action has a reaction, there is no respect for any one or any thing this is why students loose it and you see shooting in schools the bullies need to be stopped first, there is no common sense left in this country,  

MAY GOD GIVE PEACE AND COMFORT TO ALL FAMILIES INVOLED,INCLUDING TYLER"S.POINTING FINGERS AND SAYING HURTFUL WORDS WILL NOT HELP EITHER FAMILY.IT WAS NOT A AGE FACTOR OR  TYLER"S JOB.IT WAS JUST SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED,SOMEONE MAKING THE WRONG DECISION.GOD BLESS THIS SMALL TOWN AND HELP YOU ALL TO HEAL AND NOT DO ANYMORE DAMAGE BY POINTING FINGERS.

My heart goes out to all of the families. I know that it is really heard for Tylor's family. This was not the person they knew. I really hope that the town and its people don't look down on them. I hope that they will all help each other as they go through this painful time. As a mother, I can't even begin to feel what Tylor's family feels and as a sister to those who list a loved one. I have not lost a child (thank God)but, I have lost a sister and a brother. The pain is unbareable. Time heals all things. They will forever be in my pryers.

this is so sad and so tragic to see so many young lives taken away so quickly and violently. I think we are all asking the same questions. Why was some one so young given a gun? Why was he a sheriff? I have 4 grandsons all around this young man's age, and not one of them would be responsible enough to handle a gun.  They are hot headed and no it alls and I doubt that this young man was any different.  The sheriff's dept should take all the blame on this one. I don't think it is a wise choice to give some one that young such a lethal weapon, because along with the comes a great deal of responsiblity. I don't care how good he aced his tests. This was a very, very bad decision.
I understand that he was taunted to the point where he snapped.  Young people are so cruel and mean these days. I am not saying what he did was right but when young folks are faced with a angry situtation they need to learn to try and calm the fire and not fuel it. Maybe just maybe if one of those kids had approached him in a calmer way and not taunt him maybe their lives could have been spared. I feel for the families and may God be with them in their sorrow.

I really feel the same as many have already said.  20 years old is too young to put someone in this "power" position.  They often believe they are above the law.  And yes, maybe he was taunted, but who hasn't been.  He was not even old enough to 5- how can we expect these people to be mature enough to handle these situations.  I believe there should be some mental testing done, although there are some that will slip through the cracks.  Face it 20 is just too young.  Maybe 25 is a better age.  Think back people to being 20 compared to 25.  And yes I understand we send these young people into the service, that is sad but they must go through a tough program before they are sent over.  And yes many of these young people will come back with many problems, that is what is happening to this country.  Look at some of the vets from Vietnam, they virtually never came back even if they wake up every morning here in the U.S.
It is a sad situation with no easy answers but there are many that should not be in a power position and should not have access to firearms.

I don't believe being a deputy or wearing a uniform had anything to do with the incident.  You can join the military at 18, are considered an adult, given a gun, what's the difference?  He was mad at the world, not his job.  Pity the fool who thinks otherwise.  It seems to me we are making excuses for why things happen after the fact.  What's wrong with this picture? God bless us all.

How many of you who think 20 is "too young" to be a policeman here support the War in Iraq?  How old do you think the average soldier carring an automatic weapon there is?

For those of you who made a comment regarding the age of those in the Military and the age of the shooter, Peterson, thank you.  If our Military feels that 18 yoa is old enough to be sent to war to protect our country, then why can't someone 20 yoa protect us on our own land?  My thoughts are with the friends and families of those involved.

"Power corrupts".

Lord Acton

there are 19 and 20 year olds serving as military police..the age is not the issue,he could have "snapped" at 22 or 23..if there is any lesson at all to be learned,maybe its about our society's verbal confrontationalism..i grew up in the south bronx in the 60s,and knew insults frequently had physical consequences..be careful what you say and to whom you say it ..peace

Everyone keeps saying that he had no business being a police officer at 20 yrs old.  whether he was a police officer or not kids get guns and kill people just like adults.  His position has nothing to do with this.  I am sorry for both families and hate to see this happen.  Kids need to learn that teasing other kids is not acceptable anymore, because of the media glorifying events such as this more and more kids find this to be the best solution when taunted.  It is not like when I wa growing up and never will be again.  This goes for adults also, think before you speak, don't say something that could ignite someone's fuse, otherwise you may be endangering your life as well as others.  People need to learn to keep their mouths shut if they don't have something nice to say.  I am in no way condoning what this kid did, but it might have been avoided.
Chris Ely

Of course 20 is too young to be a cop. The necessary emotional maturity has not yet developed. But what does this have to do with the killings? He wasn't acting as a cop and probably had a hunting gun. He was an almost teenager, dissed and lovelorn, with a gun. He became enraged and he used it.

I'm a little suprised at all the comments about the shooter being a 20 year old deputy sheriff.  The only thing being a deputy sheriff had to do with this is the taunting, by the victims, of being a "worthless pig", and the fact that he had access to the weapon.  I agree that 20 is too young to be a comissioned law enforcement officer, but that did not contribute to this crime.  His inability to accept the breakup and his inability to control his emotions when taunted, were the cause of this tragedy.

All of you that feel like judging keep on doing it but put yourself in the situation would want perfect strangers judging you or your family member? You were not there, you can only go by reports and hearsay so get over it and quit trying to sound like know it alls for there is only one to judge and thats God....and remember judge not lest ye be judged. My prayers go out to ALL the victims in this tragedy. I know how hard dealing with something like this can be since I lost a family member to murder and had to learn how to forgive the murderer who was family...talk about an eye opening and heartbreaking experience

I have read the extremely sad story of this young police officer and my thoughts and prayers go to the families, friends and the community of this town. But I think that even though some states require psychological testing of potential applicants for the job of being a police officer, I doubt if these tests would have prevented this tragedy from happening or would have detected anything abnormal psychologically speaking in this young police officer before he became a police officer. I don't that this type of testing catches all things psychologically speaking in an individual before hand, I think that psychological problems can develop long after this type of testing is done and may not show up in the individual until it is too late as in this case. As for people at the age of twenty being too young to become a police officer, I think it would depend on the individual involved as to the level of maturity they are at mentally, some people at this age are very mature for their age. You can't go judging people at twenty years old all the same, it isn't right or fair!

I suspect that as days go by, we will learn that he was depressed and had had behavior problems in school.  Rampage shootings don't just happen; people don't just snap.  

I wonder how much the socialization of "proper male behavior" had an impact on this man's decision making. "Take it like a man" is the phrase that probably best encapsulates the sort of emotional constipation that is forced on men. Any man that expresses his emotions, unless it's within a tightly bounded sphere like sports or war, is seen as weak, effeminate, or (even more pejoratively) as GAY. Is it really a surprise that he took the emotional outlet that he did?

Someone reading this might be tempted to label me a "bleeding heart liberal." You would be missing the point of my argument. I take no position regarding the gun involved in this case. My point is that men are usually not allowed to resolve their emotions in a positive, constructive way. There is incredible social pressure for men to bottle up their feelings (yes, they have them) rather than facing, dealing with, and resolving them. If anything, I am advocating stronger family and and community ties to prevent future violence of this type. And isn't family values the cornerstone of social conservitism?

Men have to feel that they have ways to resolve their emotions that allows them to be expressive rather than repressive. To be clear, I'm not impugning Peterson's family here. Rather, I'm saying that I suspect he felt tremendous pressure not to express himself during the innitial breakup with his girlfriend, that he grew up socialized (like most males) to be emotionally repressive, and that it all (forgive the metaphor) blew up in his face.

Just wait till we have thousands of these "snap-able" guys coming back from Iraq & becoming cops. You aint seen nothing yet America.

WHERES ALL THE GUN-BANNING CHANTS?????SO HYPOCRITICAL.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Crandon. I'm sorry for your losses. I want to make this comment.  20 years old, is a little to young to be in law enforcement.  I think if anyone is wanting to be in law enforcement, they she take classes for atleast 4 years to experience of what can happen when you, as a cop, become in danger, what a firearm can do if shot, and the responsibility of your actions.  If Peterson had problems with his ex-girlfriend, he should have went to get help instead of taking his own actions and fixing them himself.  Killing someone is not going to solve anything.  It will just make that matter worse.

I was in Crandon this weekend visiting my parents while this happened.  My brother lives(d) next to Tyler, and my cousin lost three of his classmates that day. It is all so very sad.

I personally think that anyone is capable of these kinds of violent acts under certain conditions.  Those who are more mature or understand the nature of their own consciousness are less likely to be so polarized.  He had free will, and he chose to drink, and allow his rage get out of control.

In a spiritual sense (yup going off the "deep end" here), I believe that it's possible he was so stressed and/or drunk that he opened himself up for influence by negative souls (demons).  When he got sober, even he probably didn't fully understand why he did it.  The thoughts came into his mind, he chose to not ignore them and instead act.  

All of us have had a horrible idea pop into our head at some point in our lives, which we then reject in internal horror, and think "Where did that thought come from?".

While this situation is tragic it does bring to mind a larger problem with society in its current state, that is it is too easy to solve a problem with violence.  This young man could not accept that someone no longer wanted his attention so he somehow rationalized that if he could not have her no one else would either and unfortunately everyone else in the room would suffer the same fate.  I know all of the families are grieving and we grieve with them.  In the larger overview of things this now gives the state of Wisconsin the incentive to take a look at the rules and regulations regarding the qualifications in becoming a police officer and possibly upgrading them.  A physicoligical evaluation of a candidate for police work should become manditory no matter what age the candidate may be.  I have met may 20 year olds who are more mature that people twice that age so I do not believe that just because the young man who committed this crime was that age and a police officer that the current process is to blame. Any time a tragedy happens human nature makes us try to blame someone or something so we can justify why it happened.  What we have in this situation is one young man who could not accept how a situation was going and made the wrong choice on how to solve it.  We can only hope that the rest of us can learn from this and decide to solve our problems in a more rational manner.

May God be with all in Crandon. Trying to find some place to put the blame will not bring anyone back so the whole town needs to pull together and give each other support in this sad and tragic time. Sometimes things happen  that we just cannot find answers for or make any sense of it. I had a very close friend commit suicide over a break up with his girl and he would have been the last one you'd ever expect that from but he did it. The choice of a permanent solution to a temporary problem because you just don't feel you can deal with the pain. I am deeply saddened by this tradgedy and praying for all of you. May God give you healing and comfort.  

I don't get why people think a 20 year old can't have enough sense to be an Officer of the Law. They started out much younger in the old days. Sometimes becoming officers or even Sheriffs if you take the old west in account, sometimes at the tender age of 17! But if you can get drafted at 18 and fight a war where there are all types of psychological ramifications and there are veterans who pick up and carry on after a war everyday since war began, I don't see why  20 years old is too young to be a cop. It seems to me that this guy would've done this terrible thing whether he was a cop or not. Where'd he get the rifle from? Could he have not aquired a rifle or a hand gun from the local gunshop whether he was a cop or not? If you think this guy only did that because he was a cop, then how do you explain all the other "full grown adults" who have gone on these sorts of rampages? What does being a cop have to do with this tragedy?  

I don't understand why everyone thinks this has anything to do with him being a police officer. He was just a 20 y/o that decided he'd rather kill his girlfriend than break up and listen to the taunts.
Who's to say that he didn't have a gun that wasn't issued by the police? I don't know the firearm laws in Wisonsin, but in Missouri you can buy a rifle at the age of 18. I personally don't think that his job/career means anything in this situation.I mean it's not like he killed someone off the street for jay walking or speeding! No I am not condoning him or saying he is justified b/c no person has the right to take anothers life, but I am saying that i think people need to leave the fact that he was a police officer out of it. He would have done the same thing no matter what his occupation!!

the correct quote is: "absolute power corrupts absolutely" That has nothing to do with this situation. That guy is a man 1st; Cop 2nd. What does it matter that he was a cop anyway. He is a guy who killed a bunch of kids who were teasing him. Self control is the issue. Not occupation! As easy as it is to obtain guns in small towns such as this one, I don't think it would've mattered if he was the town sheriff (Like one guy tried to say he was) or the  garbage man. The report also said he went to HIS car (Not a black & white) and obtained a rifle he obviously bought. If someone goes to an ex girlfriend's party who you just had a falling out with armed, what does that tell you? IT'S COMMON SENSE PEOPLE!    

So many people saying that 20 y/o is too young to be in law enforcement and have a gun.
Well then, 20 y/olds should not be sent to fight in wars or on any peace keeping missions anywhere.
If they are too young and immature [with raging hormones], to be police/peace officers and carry a gun, then what does it say for the youngsters that are now fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Shouldn't these youngsters have an opportunity to  mature before they are sent into the field of war at say 19 through 25 y/o?
If police/peace officers should have psychological testing before they are accepted on the force, then shouldn't the soldiers have the same psychological testing before they are sent into highly volitile areas in the world for eg. like Iraq etc. or any where else in the world for that matter, raging hormones, immaturity and all?
Come to think of it should the voting age have been lowered to 18 y/o in the first place. Aren't these kids still too immature to be taking on this responsible activity as voting?
Why is 18 year old considered as adult when these children are still in their teens.
If they can't buy alcohol or cigarettes until they are well over 20 odd years of age, why should they be allowed to drive at 16 years of age, vote at 18 and be able to go to war while still in their teens but can't drink alcohol until they are much older?
These youngsters should not be able to get a driver's permit before 18 y/o or vote before 21 and even if allowed to join the Armed services before 21, should not be sent/ allowed on active duty until 21 years or older.
If  these youngsters [with their immaturity and raging hormones] are not old or mature enough  to join the police dept. and carry a gun, then they should not be allowed to drive a car, vote or join the Armed services, or other function/job, [that may/will not only endanger themselves but/and others] that takes a great deal of insight and maturity.
It is also time to address bullying [physical and verbal], insulting others and other thoughtless acts, that can 'set off' these immature, insecure and often times sad/depressed, angry, confused youngsters.    
The outcome of this sort of negative thoughtless, immature behavior can bring great sorrow grief not only to the bully or bullies but to the person or persons that are bullied/ put upon.

LET'S TAKE THE TIME TO PRAY AND REMEMBER GOD FORGAVE US. WE NEED TO FIND IT IN OUR HEARTS TO FORGIVE NO MATTER WHAT.WE ARE ALL GODS CHILDREN. WE CAN NOT BLAME ANYONE BUT THE DEVIL, BECAUSE THIS TRAGEDY IS NOT OF GOD. GOD BLESS EVRYONE

Terrible story. My condolences to the families/friends of all parties involved, especially the deputy's. No problem gets solved like that. I guess you never know who's gonna snap, why, or even when. I do know for a fact that it has nothing to do with age. Police officers and deputy sheriffs in most places are required to be 21yrs. old, and must also pass a psychological exam before hiring. The reasons for most areas to have the age rule is because 21yrs. gets you into alcohol establishments safely/legally, and because most areas require that age to purchase and carry concealed weapons legally. The psychological test is a tool for liability and most importantly safety. I do agree that all law enforcement applicants should be tested as a requirement. The U.S. military has had soldiers and Military Police forever, all of whom carry weapons, all of whom are plenty capable of handling themselves in a safe and proper fashion, and most of whom start very young. Myself and all my peers were patrolling as Military Police at the ripe old age of 18yrs. We drove police cars, performed traffic duties, and enforced laws in residential areas as well as military areas. By the way, we jumped from planes as a secondary but important part of our job. Nobody can argue the fact that age brings more wisdom in most cases, but it's clear that age is not the issue here. I believe the issue is that many citizens and/or civilians often forget that law enforcement personnel (and also military people) are human beings. Some forget purposely believe it or not, but most forget by mistake. People generally assume that officers aren't affected by stress, traumatic events, shift work, bad diet, etc.. People often say "I couldn't do your job" to police, assuming that if a man or woman takes the job they're somehow able to ignore or are protected from problems more so than the common person. Not true. I do believe law enforcement personnel can "hide" stress and emotion better than most people, but that's an even bigger problem. You're only "tough" so long, then you suddenly crack if you don't get help, no matter what your age, race, sex, or color. It's apparent this boy didn't get much needed help for whatever reason.

Yo point is he was deemed old enough to carry a gun and badge and protect our civil liberties

Yet the same government who granted him those powers say he is not mature enough to legally consume beer.

Go figure

People ask me what i say to a dead cops wife

cops kill people every day

thats life

and this is just ANOTHER example

Just wait until all the military personnel come home from Iraq. You want to see people snap - it's coming.....get ready.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):