Joe Munz

Joe Munz, a 21-year-old UWM student from Lodi, Wisconsin, was killed Tuesday night in Milwaukee, working as delivery driver for Jimmy John's.

It's hard for me to grasp that someone has so little respect for life that he was willing to take Munz's life away in the hope of getting some money.

According to The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Munz had just finished a delivery for Jimmy John's about 8:15 Tuesday night, when he was accosted in the 3200 block of N. Weil St. The assailant shot the hardworking former football player multiple times, killing him on the street, according to police.

It appeared to be a robbery, but investigators had little information and no suspects in custody on Wednesday.

What a senseless act! Such a terrible loss!

Madison's WMTV has more about the young man from Lodi.

The Dane County Coroner and a Sheriff's Deputy delivered the news to Joseph's parents David and Kathy Munz in rural Lodi around Midnight. David Munz recalls what he was told, "He had been working for the Jimmy John sub place and made a delivery and when he got done with the delivery he had been confronted and shot to death–multiple shots."

Joseph was the second youngest of 7 children. "We're just going to try to get through the duration here at the moment," says David.

He graduated from Lodi High School in 2004. One of his former football coaches says the news was shocking. "It's devastating to us. When we heard the news this morning it felt like we lost one of our own family," says Rick Mack.

Joseph's mother says he liked his job and never felt threatened delivering subs. "He said he was in a fairly safe district all the way around," says Kathy.

...Joseph is described as a quiet but friendly kid. "He was a hard worker and everybody just really liked him," says Kathy.

"He was just a kid around school he wouldn't say a lot but he always had the certain smile that just killed you because you knew if Joe had that smile there was something up," says Mack.

Coach Mack says this Friday's game is Senior Night, and Joe will be honored with the rest of the football players. "They'll see a number 45 up there in memory of Joe."

In the accounts that I've read, I couldn't find any comments by city officials.

Why not?

It bothers me that the JS writes, "Munz was the 87th homicide in the city this year, compared with 99 in 2005 at this time."

So what?

Does that mean that the city is safer? Mayor Tom Barrett is doing his job?

It's great that there are fewer homicides in Milwaukee than at this time last year, but that provides no consolation to Munz's family and friends.

Joe Munz was just doing his job when he was gunned down. He wasn't a gang member or a drug dealer or engaging in risky activities.

He was working his way through school.

"It seems surreal, like it hasn't happened yet," said Jason Mayes, a childhood friend from Lodi and Munz's housemate on N. Bartlett St. in Milwaukee. "You keep expecting him to walk through the door.

"He was a likable guy. He didn't have any enemies."

Right now, as Munz's family and friends are still in shock over his death, his killer or killers are out there.

Do they have consciences? Do they feel guilt?

Do they feel any remorse for robbing Joe Munz of his life and robbing his family of their beloved son and brother or taking him from his dear friends?

Munz's killer or killers aren't victims. Such people are cold-blooded murderers.
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October 13: Milwaukee police now have put out a description of a suspect in Joe Munz's murder.

The suspect is a black male in his 20s or 30s, between 5'8" and 5'10," with a medium build and medium to dark complexion. He was last seen wearing a dark jacket and dark cap and was armed with a dark-colored handgun, police said.

The vehicle is a white 1990s cargo-style van with no side windows, a loud muffler and a horizontal mark above the rear passenger tire.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Milwaukee Police homicide division at (414) 935-7360.