On December 28, 2016, just after midnight, Winnebago County Sheriff’s deputies Michael Gruninger and Anthony Savaiano responded to a disturbance call on Minns Drive in Machesney Park. Upon arrival, they encountered 36 year old Michael Mernack, who was reportedly armed and refused commands to drop his weapon. Authorities stated that Mernack pointed a gun at deputies, prompting both Gruninger and Savaiano to fire their service weapons, critically wounding him. He was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Inside the residence, deputies found two victims: 16 year old Rebecca Finkenhofer, who had been shot and fatally stabbed, and her 63 year old grandmother Cheryl Puckett, who had been shot in the face but survived with serious injuries. Investigators later determined that Mernack had forced entry into the home and attacked the family. Rebecca’s mother had previously obtained an order of protection against him following domestic violence allegations, and prosecutors argued Mernack had intended to target her but instead attacked her daughter and mother.
Trial reporting revealed that Mernack had been in a short relationship with Rebecca’s mother, Megan Cabay. Prosecutors said he shot Cheryl Puckett, stabbed Rebecca to death, and attempted to enter the bedroom of Rebecca’s younger sister before his gun malfunctioned. He was later indicted on dozens of charges, including multiple counts of first degree murder, attempted murder, home invasion, and aggravated battery.
The Winnebago Boone County Integrity Task Force investigated the deputies’ use of force and ruled the shooting justified in April 2017, with State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato stating deputies were under attack and feared for their lives. In March 2017, Gruninger and Savaiano were awarded Medals of Valor by the Village of Machesney Park for their actions.
Mernack survived the shooting, was later convicted, and in October 2018 was sentenced to life in prison plus 45 years for the murder of Rebecca Finkenhofer and the attempted murder of Cheryl Puckett.
This incident is identified as the 11th case investigated and justified by the Winnebago Boone County Integrity Task Force and involved a deputy-involved shooting connected to a homicide and home invasion response in Machesney Park.