By Patrick Lynn

A man accused of threatening a Plover police officer on Friday with a knife is now facing attempted homicide charges.

Brett Lieberman, 33 of Manawa, was pulled over for erratic driving on Highway 54 in south Plover shortly before 7 PM on Aug. 8. Police say Lieberman then exited his vehicle and “quickly approached” Plover police officer Andrew Hopfensperger’s squad vehicle with a knife.

Plover Police Chief Dwayne Wierzba said in a statement that Hopfensperger used his department- issued weapon to prevent the attack, adding Hopfensperger was likely justified in the use of his weapon but the investigation is pending.

Hopfensperger fired his weapon an undisclosed number of times at Lieberman, sending him to the hospital. No court date has been set and Lieberman’s condition has not been disclosed.

Wierzba said Lieberman was alone in his vehicle.

The Department of Justice- Division of Criminal Investigation was requested to lead the investigation. The Portage County Sheriff’s Department, the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Wisconsin Crime Laboratory are assisting the Department of Criminal Investigation.

Hopfensperger was not injured but has been placed on administrative leave, which Wierzba said is standard practice.