Richland County Sheriff's Office

One Injured in UTV Crash

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WHEN: 06/23/2023
TIME of Incident: 10:20 PM

WHO Involved: Sean P Burns, 44, of Richland Center, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: County Highway Q at Chicken Ridge Road

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports on 06/23/2023 at approximately 10:20 pm the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Richland Center Fire Department, and Richland EMS responded to the area of County HWY Q and Chicken Ridge Rd for the report of a UTV Crash with injuries. Investigation of the incident showed 44 year old Sean Burns to be the lone occupant/operator of the UTV in question. While traveling Eastbound on County HWY Q near Chicken Ridge Rd, control of the UTV was lost while attempting to negotiate a corner. This caused the UTV to overturn in the roadway, resulting in injury to the operator. Burns was transported by Richland EMS to the Richland Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Speed and alcohol are believed to be contributing factors in the crash.

ARREST or CHARGES: Cited for Intoxicated Operation of ATV/UTV State Statute 23.33(4c)(a)1

Other Agencies Involved: Richland EMS and Richland Center Fire Department

Logging Accident Leads to Death

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WHEN: 03/29/2023
TIME of Incident: 5:02 PM

WHO Involved: Joseph Abitz, 54, of Dubuque, IA

WHERE Incident Happened: County Hwy OO

What happened:Sheriff Clay Porter reports that on 03/29/2023, at approximately 5:02 P.M. Iowa County 911 received the initial call of an emergency incident and transferred the call to Richland County 911 regarding a male party that was involved in an logging accident. The witness stated that they were working on a log skidder and the hydraulic line broke, hitting the victim in the face, causing him to be unresponsive. The victim was wedged along the tire and the engine compartment of the log skidder when emergency personnel arrived on scene. Muscoda EMS, Fire and Police responded to the scene. Avoca Police was also notified of the incident and all responding units were directed to field where the accident took place. Emergency personnel were able to get the victim off the log skidder, where medical personnel began their medical treatment. The victim was transported to the Richland Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. During the investigation it was found that the victim was removing a pressure hydraulic accumulators and unknown to the victim one accumulator was still under pressure. While attempting to remove it the pressure caused the accumulator to come lose and hit the victim in the head.

 

Other Agencies Involved: Muscoda EMS, Muscoda Fire, Muscoda Police, and Avoca Police.

Crash Results in OWI and Drug Arrest

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WHEN: 12/14/2022
TIME of Incident: 5:11 P.M.

WHO Involved: Brittany Koproski, 33, of Mosinee WI

WHERE Incident Happened: State Highway 60 Near Riverview Ridge Drive

Sheriff Clay Porter reports that on 12/14/2022, Richland County Deputies responded to a single vehicle crash on State Hwy 60. The reporting parties advised the female driver and only occupant of the vehicle exited the vehicle after crashing in to the woods and fled on foot. Deputies located the vehicle near Riverview Ridge Drive. Muscoda Fire and EMS where requested and the Richland Center Police Department arrived on scene to assist. Richland Center Police K9 Teddy was deployed to track the suspect that fled the scene. With K9 Teddy’s assistance the driver, Brittany Koprowski, was located hiding in the woods. Deputies observed signs that Brittany was possibly under the influence of drugs. Methamphetamine and Drug Paraphernalia where later located in the vehicle. Brittany was transported to the Hospital and later arrested for numerous drug related charges. All charges were forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

AGENCIES Involved: Richland Center Police Department, Muscoda Fire Department, and Muscoda EMS

ARREST or CHARGES:OWI 1ST, FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL 2ND OFFENSE, UNREASONABLE AND IMPRUDENT SPEED 2ND OFFENSE, POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE, RESISTING/OBSTRUCTING AN OFFICER

Request For Squad Bids – 10/21/2022

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The Richland County Sheriff’s Department, under the authority of the Richland County Law Enforcement and Judiciary Committee, is currently accepting bids as described below to purchase two (2) police package squad vehicles:

Police Package Dodge Durango SUV 4 door AWD

Detailed Bid Specifications

Bids must be received by Thursday, November 3rd, 2022 at 4:00p.m.

Bids will be accepted by U.S. Mail, email or hand delivery to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. If mailing or delivering bids, mark the envelope “Attention: Squad Bids”. Electronic bids should be sent to amber.muckler@co.richland.wi.us and put Squad Bids in the subject line.

If mailing bids, address to:
Richland County Sheriff’s Department
Attn: Squad bids
181 W. Seminary St.
Richland Center, WI. 53581

Requests can be made by calling 608-647-8906 ext. 3 or through email to Administrative Office Manager Amber Muckler at amber.muckler@co.richland.wi.us.

Bids will include all fees associated with the purchase. The bid you give will be a “drive away” figure and will include all dealer and licensing fees.

The vehicle will be delivered within 180 days of the order being placed.

Received bids will be reviewed by the Richland County Law Enforcement and Judiciary Committee. Richland County reserves the right to accept or reject any bid and will consider bids most advantageous to the county. Richland County reserves the right to accept or reject portions of bids. The County also reserves the right to reject all bids and consider purchase from the State of Wisconsin Cooperative Purchasing Program.

Authority: Sheriff Clay J. Porter
On behalf of the Richland County Law Enforcement and Judicial Committee

Traffic Stop Leads to Three Drug Arrest’s

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WHEN: 10/16/2022
TIME of Incident: 5:39 P.M.

WHO Involved: Joseph R. Fendler, 32, of Reedsburg
Kendall A. Preuss, 28, of Jefferson
Keisha M. Vasquez, 33, of New Lisbon

WHERE Incident Happened: US Highway 14 at Simpson Implement

What happened: On 10/16/2022 at 5:39pm, a traffic stop was conducted on US HWY 14 near Simpson’s Implement. During the investigation, deputies learned that all 3 occupants had Revoked driver’s license. Kendall Preuss was arrested for Operating a Motor vehicle after Revocation. Deputies requested the Richland Center Police Department K9, Teddy, who was deployed and alerted to the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle by Deputies and the Richland Center Police Department 202.3 grams(0.45 lbs) of a white crystalline substance was located in 6 different baggies that later tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine. Also located was one digital scale, multiple smoking devices, multiple small baggies, approximately $688.00 in cash, and a baggie of 11 suspected Oxycodone pills. Joseph is also out on one misdemeanor bond through Sauk County. Keisha is out on one misdemeanor bond through Juneau County and one through Sauk County. Kendall is out on one felony bond through Columbia County and one through Marquette County. Keisha and Joseph are on active Probation through the State of Wisconsin for similar charges. Keisha was arrested for Misdemeanor Bail Jumping and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Joseph was arrested for Possession w/ Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine >50g, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession Schedule II Narcotic and Misdemeanor Bail Jumping. Kendall was arrested for Felony Bail Jumping, Operate Motor vehicle after Revocation, Possession Drug Paraphernalia, Obstructing an Officer, and Possession w/ Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine 10-50g. After Kendall was removed from a squad car a digital scale with a crystalline residue was located on the floor.

Arrest or Charges: Misdemeanor & Felony Bail Jumping, Obstructing Police, Operate Motor vehicle after Revocation, Possession w/ Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine 10-50 g, Possession w/ Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine >50 g, Possession of Schedule II Narcotic, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

One Injured in Motor Vehicle Crash

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WHEN: 10/15/2022
TIME of Incident: 11:35 P.M.

WHO Involved: Hannah L Novy, 33, of Boscobel

WHERE Incident Happened: State Highway 60, East of State Highway 193

What happened: On 10/15/2022 at 11:35pm, Richland County Dispatch received a report of a vehicle in the ditch on State Highway 60 just East of State Highway 193. Responding Deputies arrived on scene and located vehicle operator, Hannah L. Novy, 33 of Boscobel unconscious but breathing a distance away from the vehicle. The initial investigation of the crash showed that the vehicle entered the ditch on the North Side of State Highway 60 just West of State Highway 193. The investigation shows that the operator of the vehicle was ejected from the vehicle before it came to rest East of State Highway 193 in the ditch. The driver was transported to Richland Hospital by Muscoda EMS for serious injuries.

Arrest or Charges: Accident still under investigation

Other Agencies Involved: Muscoda EMS, Wegner’s Towing

One Vehicle Crash on County Highway V Results in Injuries

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WHEN: 10/16/2022
TIME of Incident: 5:45 A.M.

WHO Involved: Riley Astle, 20, of Cazenovia

WHERE Incident Happened: County Highway V and Duren Drive

What happened: On 10/16/2022 at 5:45am, Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call reference a truck that was off the road on County Hwy V just east of Duran Dr. The driver of the vehicle, Riley Astle, 20 of Cazenovia was found conscious and breathing in front of the vehicle and was transported to Reedsburg hospital by Cazenovia EMS. The initial investigation of the crash showed that the vehicle entered the ditch on the north side of County Hwy V where it struck a culvert and the truck came to rest on a field road entrance.

Arrest or Charges: Accident still under investigation

Other Agencies Involved: Cazenovia Fire and EMS, Shields Towing

ATV Accident Leads To Death Of Cazenovia Man

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WHEN: 09/15/2022
TIME of Incident: 8:19 P.M.

WHO Involved: Ronald R. Jasper, 83 of Cazenovia

WHERE Incident Happened: County Highway CC South of County Highway V

What happened:On 09-15-22 shortly after 8pm, Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call stating that a male party was located in a creek near an ATV that was tipped over just off of County Hwy CC in Westford Township. Deputies from the Richland County Sheriff’s Office responded as well as members of the Cazenovia Fire Department and Cazenovia EMS. Life saving efforts were attempted prior to the arrival of first responders, but were unsuccessful. Ronald R. Jasper, 83 of rural Cazenovia was pronounced deceased on scene by the Richland County Coroner’s Office. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was requested to assist in the investigation, which is still ongoing.

Arrest or Charges: None

Other Agencies Involved: Cazenovia Fire Department, Cazenovia EMS, Wisconsin DNR, Richland County Coroner

Traffic Crash Results In Fatality

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WHEN: 09/09/2022
TIME of Incident: 5:48 A.M.

WHERE Incident Happened: US Highway 14 East of Highway 58

What happened:On 09-09-2022, at approximately 5:48am Richland County Deputies responded to a report of a head-on collision involving a semi and passenger car on US Hwy 14 just East of State Hwy 58. When emergency personnel arrived, both lanes of US Hwy 14 were closed to allow for cleanup and investigation. Based on witness statements as well as evidence recovered from the scene, it is believed that the driver of the car who was heading Westbound deviated from the lane of traffic and entered the Eastbound Lane. The semi driver who was traveling Eastbound attempted evasive maneuvers, but was unable to avoid the collision and struck the car head-on. The driver of the car was pronounced deceased on scene, while the driver of the semi was physically uninjured. A Wisconsin State Patrol Reconstruction Team was contacted to assist with processing the scene. The Richland County Sheriff’s Office was also assisted on scene by the Richland Center Fire Department, Richland EMS, and the Richland County Coroner’s Office. The vehicles were removed by Wegner Towing. The crash is still under investigation and the identities of the parties involved are being withheld until proper notification of family members.

Other Agencies Involved: Wisconsin State Patrol, Richland Center Fire Dept, Richland EMS, Richland County Coroner’s Office, Wegner’s Towing

One Person Arrested After Report of Criminal Trespass and Discharge of a Firearm

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Richland County Sheriff Clay Porter reports that on 7/8/2022 at 12:34am the Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call of a male party who had gained access to his ex-girlfriend’s house on Catherine St in Orion Township. The caller stated he was acting crazy and shot at a vehicle that had pulled into the driveway. The caller was able to lock him out when he shot at the vehicle but the male party identified as Jonathon Scott was able to force entry back into the residence.

Richland County Deputies arrived on scene and were assisted by the Grant County Sheriff’s Department and the Muscoda Police Department. Contact was attempted over the squad public announcement (PA) system and the female victim was able to safely exit the residence. The male party refused to exit the residence when deputies requested. Richland County Special Response Team was activated and responded to the scene. After over two hours of attempts to negotiate and request Scott to exit the residence, gas munitions were deployed into the residence. Shortly thereafter, Scott started appearing in windows and then exited the door unarmed and was safely taken into custody.

Jonathan Scott was transported to the Richland County Jail and booked on charges of criminal trespass into a dwelling, domestic disorderly conduct, second degree recklessly endangering safety and possession of a firearm while intoxicated.

Sheriff Porter credits the quick thinking and actions of the first responding law enforcement personnel to the safe removal of the victim from the scene. Additionally, the specialized training and tools utilized by the Special Response Team resulted in a peaceful resolution to a dangerous situation.