On December 30, 2018, Kerry Blake was shot and killed by Matthew Krantz, then a member of the Rockford Police Department SWAT team. There is more to the story than a several hours long standoff. In a lawsuit filed by the Blake family, more information is revealed about the events that occurred on that fatal day.
In the morning hours, Rockford Police Department officers Brandon Wells, Jason Lawler, and Irvin Benitez responded to an anonymous call stating Kerry was moving his furniture to the road. Kerry allegedly refused to talk to the Rockford police officers, who noted Kerry's erratic behavior before leaving the scene.
Kerry, for the next few hours, continued to experience a schizophrenic episode. Shortly into the afternoon, Kerry got into a vehicle that was the same make, color, and model as his daughter's minivan. However, it wasn't his daughter's vehicle, and there were children in the car. Having traveled less than a block, Kerry stopped the vehicle and allowed the children to exit.
Immediately after letting the children exit, Kerry drove the minivan to his house. Around 1:30 pm, Lawler and Wells returned to Kerry's house after following up with the 911 call the neighbors made regarding the vehicle being taken. Somehow, Lawler was able to see Kerry Blake acting erratically inside the home. Lawler again made note of this behavior and began sharing this information with other Rockford police officers who arrived on the scene, most of whom already knew of Kerry's mental illness.
For taking the vehicle, Kerry was charged with one count of possession of a stolen vehicle and two charges of unlawful restraint.
The family of Kerry Blake was allowed to attempt to talk to Kerry for a ten-minute period. While they waited, the number of police officers present consistently rose. During those ten minutes, it became clear that Kerry's mental stability was worsening. Before they were escorted away from the house, the family pleaded with the police to give Kerry time to recover from an episode that had spiraled out of control. As they were taking his family away, Kerry opened the door and tossed the keys of his neighbor's minivan towards the police. He then tossed what is described as a decorative samurai sword out in a show of non-violence. So how did the Rockford Police Department respond after all this? The only way they know how. Matthew Krantz, then a 12-year veteran on the SWAT team, 17 years overall with RPD, drove a million-dollar military vehicle (MRAP) to Kerry Blake's front door. Now at the scene was the SWAT team, K9 units, another military-made armored truck, and dozens of other police officers who had responded. A small army outside the house of a man struggling through a schizophrenic episode.
At 7:13 pm, police officers launched a reported 12 rounds of OC spray into the household. During this time, they were able to see and hear Kerry pacing in front of the window with a crowbar, threatening to defend himself if officers entered his home. For the first time in six hours, the Blake family was allowed to speak through the loudspeaker. Their pleas were not acknowledged in any meaningful way by Kerry. A little over half an hour later, Kerry was again witnessed pacing with a crowbar.
At this point, the Rockford Police Department stopped all attempts to communicate with Kerry and focused their efforts on how to best execute a raid. It was decided that SWAT officers equipped with riot gear and shields would breach the house. Two officers in the front and two in the back. One of the officers was armed with 'less lethal' shotguns, while the other would act as backup with a firearm. James Gulley and Matthew Krantz were the officers who would breach the house in the back. James Gulley, armed with the less lethal shotgun full of bean bag rounds, while Krantz was armed with his personal Glock 23.
Despite the policy and plan that the less lethal force would take the lead, Krantz took over. As Kerry attempted to hold the front door from officers breaking in, Matthew Krantz snuck in the back with James Gulley following behind. Krantz witnessed Kerry holding the front door but made no attempts to engage with him. When Kerry turned to face Krantz, within a three-foot distance, Krantz shot Kerry in the head. Krantz then fired three more bullets, killing Kerry Blake.
The wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Kerry Blake is still active awaiting trial. Matthew Krantz retired in good standing following the justified ruling. Jason Lawler, Irvin Benitez, and Brandon Wells are still Rockford Police Department officers. They have each been promoted at least once in the years following.
May Kerry Blake Rest in Power.
This was the sixteenth case investigated and justified by the Winnebago Boone County Integrity Task Force.
It was the 18th deadly force incident in the 2010’s and fifth since Tom McNamara took mayoral office.