The man accused of shooting and injuring a Waupaca County Sheriff's deputy Friday was "extremely paranoid," his wife told investigators.
James Dax, 62, of Mukwa was charged Monday in Waupaca County court for shooting at officers and injuring one during a standoff on September 9. He faces 11 charges, including six counts of attempted first degree intentional homicide.
"He's in custody, we certainly assume he'll stay in custody, so residents in the area should feel good about that," said Brad Hardel with the Waupaca County Sheriff's Department.
Dax was emotional in court Monday, telling the judge that he isn't guilty.
Law enforcement first came in contact with Dax on August 30, when he was involved with a felony domestic incident with his wife at their home on Manske Road in Mukwa, court documents said. He allegedly beat her, she told investigators.
On September 7, investigators talked to his wife again, and she told them she bought a handgun for protection but Dax had taken it, according to the criminal complaint.
She also said he had Molotov cocktails, a type of explosive device, inside their home. His wife told officers Dax was "extremely paranoid," court documents said.
Court documents show Dax told his wife that "if people ever came for him...he could blow the house up."
Dax also sent written statements to the FBI in which he said "I basically trust no one," and believed his was was kidnapped or murdered, the criminal complaint said.
On September 7 and 8, the Waupaca County Sheriff's office planned an operation to arrest Dax and search his property.
48 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies were involved in the operation.
Officers first tried to talk Dax out of the house peacefully just after 11 a.m. but were unsuccessful, court documents said.
Throughout the day, law enforcement used various methods to get Dax out, including tear gas.
Eventually, three SWAT officers went inside the home and found Dax in an attic area, the criminal complaint said.
Dax then allegedly started firing a gun, hitting and injuring a Waupaca County Sheriff's deputy. The officers shot back but did not hit Dax as he was hidden behind boxes, court documents said.
He was eventually arrested. Investigators did find a handgun and Molotov cocktails in the home.
The injured deputy is recovering and should be back to work in two weeks, the department said.
Dax also faces charges of first degree recklessly endangering safety, battery to law enforcement officer, possession of explosives for unlawful purpose, possession of a firearm and making terrorist threats.
Dax is being held on a $5 million cash bond. He will be back in court September 19.
