4-01-2024 11:24pm

Roscoe Police sergeant rescued baby from fire in November, fired fatal shot after carjacking chase to Beloit

Michael McGinnis Editor

Sgt. Robert Lewis was honored for his lifesaving actions in a Nov. 2023 explosion and fire.

Roscoe Police Sgt. Robert Lewis has been named as the officer who fired his weapon after a suspect, Ray Castro, rammed his squad car and reportedly began shooting. Lewis fatally wounded Castro in the exchange. It came at the end of a police chase the morning of March 16, 2024, as Beloit and Roscoe police pursued Castro from South Beloit to Beloit as he drove a stolen car he had allegedly taken at knifepoint, fleeing arrest for two warrants, including armed robbery.

Lewis's name was released on Monday, Apr. 1, 2024 by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). The Wisconsin DCI says Sgt. Lewis was treated for minor injuries at an Illinois hospital and released. He was wearing a body camera and "remains on administrative leave, per department policy" during the investigation.

The Wisconsin DCI says, "All involved law enforcement are fully cooperating with DCI... DCI is continuing to review evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over investigative reports to the Rock County District Attorney when the investigation concludes." The City of Beloit Police Department says "Per Wisconsin law, an independent agency investigates any officer-involved shooting."

Sgt. Lewis, who has 15 years of law enforcement experience, was promoted to Roscoe Police Sergeant in 2017. He was 0ne of three Roscoe Police officers who received awards from Police Chief Sam Hawley and Fire Chief John Bergeron on December 5, 2023 for bravery during a second-story residence fire on November 12, 2023. After police officers broke down the apartment door, Sgt. Lewis hurried up the smoke-filled stairway and rescued two children from the back bedroom, carrying a baby downstairs. The Harlem-Roscoe Fire EMS "treated and released" the family at the scene, as well as the police officers, for smoke inhalation.