Richland County Sheriff's Office

RCPD Press Release

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Lt. Billy Jones of the Richland Center Police Department reports that on July 14, 2019 at 11:21 PM Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call in which the caller reported a man in need of medical assistance for an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in the Walmart parking lot.  Officers of the Richland Center Police Department and Deputies of the Richland County Sheriff’s department responded, along with Richland County EMS.  Upon Officers’ arrival it was confirmed that the 72 year old male was deceased.  The name of the deceased is not being released at this time pending notification of family.

The incident remains under investigation by the Richland Center Police Department; however there is no perceived threat to the community at this time.

The Richland Center Police Department was assisted by Richland County EMS, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the Richland Center Fire Department, and Richland County Coroner.

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Richland Center Man Sentenced To 90 Months for Possessing Methamphetamine With Intent To Deliver

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MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Joshua Clarke, 31, Richland Center, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 90 months in federal prison, followed by a three-year term of supervised release, for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Clarke pleaded guilty to this charge on April 26, 2019.

On November 11, 2018, an officer from the Richland Center Police Department stopped a car for a traffic violation. While talking with the passenger, who officers subsequently identified as Clarke, they observed behavior indicative of someone high on methamphetamine. Officers arrested Clarke on an outstanding warrant. During a subsequent search, officers found 35 grams of methamphetamine on Clarke. Testing by the Drug Enforcement Administration showed the methamphetamine was 100% pure.

During sentencing, Judge Conley highlighted Clarke’s extensive criminal history, as well as the methamphetamine’s purity level. Judge Conley noted that Clarke saw the tremendous effect of the drug as a methamphetamine user, but still decided to sell it to members of the community.

The charge against Clarke was the result of an investigation conducted by the Richland Center Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Richland County District Attorney’s Office, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma.

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Printable Press Release

Man Arrested for 12th Offense O.W.I.

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Lt. Billy Jones of the Richland Center Police Department reports that a Wisconsin Dells man was recently arrested for his 12th offense of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated.

Taylor P. White Eagle, 56, was arrested and tentatively charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated after being investigated for strange driving behavior that had been called in by a concerned citizen. A subsequent check of White Eagle’s driving record found 11 prior convictions for Operating While Intoxicated.

Lt. Jones stated that the investigation began after the Richland Center Police Department received a call from a concerned citizen about the driving behavior being displayed by White Eagle and also regarding a passenger in the vehicle who appeared to be unconscious.  Upon contact with White Eagle, Officers could detect the odor of intoxicating beverages on White Eagle’s breath and observed White Eagle to display other signs of impairment.  After standardized field sobriety tests with White Eagle confirmed that he was impaired, he was placed under arrest.  During this time Richland County EMS was summoned to assess the passenger for unrelated medical issues.   As White Eagle was processed after his arrest, a search warrant was obtained for an evidentiary blood draw due to White Eagle’s refusal to cooperate with the procedure.

White Eagle remains in custody at the Richland County Jail, being held on a $25,000 cash bond.

All charges have been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Lt Jones stated this incident is a great example of how citizens can assist law enforcement in ensuring the safety of the public by reporting suspicious activity.  Lt. Jones would like to encourage citizens to continue report any suspicious activity by notifying law enforcement. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Richland Area Crime Stoppers at 647-2583 and may be eligible for a cash reward.

During this investigation and subsequent arrest, Officers of the Richland Center Police Department were assisted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Richland County EMS, and the Richland County District Attorney’s Office.

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Man Taken Into Custody After Short Standoff

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Lt. Billy Jones of the Richland Center Police Department reports that a man was taken into custody after a short standoff with Police at the Ramada Inn early Monday morning.

Jay M. Walsh, 56, was arrested and tentatively charged with 1st Degree Reckless Endangerment, Endangering Safety by the Use of a Dangerous Weapon, Disorderly Conduct, and three counts of Bail Jumping .

Lt. Jones stated that the standoff began after RCPD Officers attempted to make contact with Walsh, who was causing a disturbance at the Ramada Inn.  Officers also had reason to make contact with Walsh concerning an altercation that had occurred the previous day at different location in the City of Richland Center.  Walsh, however, refused to open the door.  Based on information learned during the investigation of the altercation the previous day, Officers had reason to believe that Walsh may be armed with a firearm.   After repeated attempts to get Walsh to exit the room were unsuccessful, the Richland County Special Response Team (SRT) was called out.  The SRT responded and ultimately made a forced tactical entry into the room and took Walsh into custody without further incident.

All charges have been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

The SRT is a combined tactical unit comprised by Officers from Richland Center Police Department and Deputies from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.  Officers and Deputies on the SRT receive specialized training in various tactical applications to assist in the safe conclusions in situations such as this one.

Walsh remains in custody on a 10,000 cash bond.  Lt. Jones stated that there is no further threat to the community.

In addition to the SRT, Officers of the Richland Center Police Department were assisted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Richland County EMS, and the Richland County District Attorney’s Office.

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Subject Arrested for Possession Charges Dies at the Hospital

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Richland County Authorities report Kevin Flint, age 25 of Richland Center was a passenger in a vehicle on Hwy H near Hwy 56 when it was stopped by a deputy.  An investigation showed evidence that drugs and drug paraphernalia were being transported in the vehicle.  Further investigation gave cause to place Flint and another individual under arrest for possessing the illegal items.  Both were transported to the Richland County Jail.  During the booking process at the jail, Flint suffered a medical reaction and went unconscious.  Richland Co EMS was paged and transported Flint to the Richland Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by the Richland County Coroner’s office.  An investigation of the incident is being conducted by an outside agency, and that investigation is continuing.

Date of Incident: 06/19/2019

Who Involved: Kevin Flint, 25 of Richland Center, WI

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department and the Richland County Coroner’s Office

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Search Warrant Leads to Drugs, Paraphernalia, and Money Seized

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On 05-21-2019, the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force along with the Richland County Special Response Team executed a drug related search warrant at the address of 28875 McNurlin Street in the Village of Gotham. A search of the residence was conducted and officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, and U.S. currency. Also located were numerous items of drug paraphernalia to include: used syringes, glass smoking devices, a digital scale, a drug ledger/log, and plastic baggies with residue. The suspect, William C. Giddings was arrested and transported to the Richland County Jail on numerous drug related offenses. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious/drug activity to Richland County Crime Stoppers at 647-Clue(2583).

Other agencies involved were the Richland Center Police Department and Lone Rock EMS.

As a result of the investigation Giddings was placed under arrest for the following tentative charges:

William Giddings

  • Possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine
  • Possession with intent to deliver THC
  • Maintaining a drug trafficking place
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Resisting or obstructing an officer

Cooperation Between Citizens And Authorities To Assist Man in Need

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Around 8:30am the Richland County Sheriff’s Department received a call from a concerned resident of Lone Rock regarding an adult male who had approached her asking for help with his cell phone. The subject then walked in to a wooded area of the village. He was described as about 6ft tall, dark pants and was not wearing shoes. The resident was concerned about the individual. Deputies responded and recovered the cell phone of the man and began a search of the area but could not locate the individual. Authorities continued to check the area and surrounding areas throughout the course of the day. Around 7:45pm last evening, a citizen driving on US Hwy 14 near Hwy 60 spotted a male walking on Hwy 14 and was concerned for his safety. The citizen dialed 911. The description given matched that of the male deputies has been looking for. Deputies located the subject in the Village of Gotham a short time later. The male was found in good health and was cooperative with authorities. There was no danger to public. This was an excellent example of cooperation between citizens and authorities to assist a man in need.

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Police Department Press Release

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Chief Lucas Clements reports that at approximately 6:40 a.m. on May 18th an Officer from the Richland Center Police Department recognized Christopher D. Grabowski, 34, of Richland Center traveling as a passenger in a vehicle westbound on W. 6th St.

The Officer ran a warrant check on Grabowski and confirmed that there were warrants out for his arrest. Upon contact with Grabowski at Mobil Mart, Grabowski was taken into custody after a short foot chase. Search incident to arrest, Officers located drug paraphernalia on Grabowski’s person used to ingest methamphetamine. Grabowski also admitted to having further drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle yielded further drug paraphernalia as well as methamphetamine and marijuana.

Contact was made with the driver of the vehicle, Robert J.  Engebretson, 52, of Richland Center. Upon contact with Engebretson, the Officer noted signs of impairment. Standardized Field Sobriety tests were conducted with Engebretson, who displayed signs of impairment.

As a result of the investigation both Engebretson and Grabowski were placed under arrest for the following tentative charges:

Robert J. Engebretson

  • Possession of Methamphetamine (2nd or subsequent offense)
  • Possession of THC (2nd or subsequent offense)
  • Operating While Under the Influence
Christopher D. Grabowski
  • Possession of Methamphetamine (2nd or subsequent offense)
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • Possession of THC (2nd or subsequent offense)
  • Resisting or Obstructing an Officer
  • Bail Jumping (4 counts)

The Richland Center Police Department was assisted on scene by Deputies from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. The investigation has been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for formal charges to be filed.

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RCPD Click It or Ticket 2019

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Richland Center Police Department to mobilize for Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement from May 20th to June 2nd.

Chief Lucas Clements points out that this year marks the 10-year anniversary of Wisconsin’s primary enforcement seat belt law. Since the law took effect in June of 2009, Wisconsin’s seat belt use rate has climbed from 74 percent in 2009, to just over 89 percent today. Over the last decade alone, numerous motorists in Wisconsin have avoided serious injury or death thanks to the simple click of a seat belt.

Still, law enforcement and other emergency responders see far too many people who make the dangerous – and frankly – irresponsible decision to not wear a safety belt. Last year, about half of the car and truck occupants killed in Wisconsin traffic crashes were not buckled up. These needless tragedies devastate families and generate enormous societal costs. Chief Clements states, “As part of our larger public safety mission, the Richland Center Police Department will join law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin as part of the national Click It or Ticket mobilization May 20 to June 2.”

Across our state and nation, officers will work in greater numbers for longer hours – not to simply stop and cite motorists – but to encourage everyone to voluntarily comply with traffic laws that serve to keep the public safe. During Click It or Ticket – and throughout the year – our goal is to ensure that all motorists are safely buckled up – every seat, every trip

Click It or Ticket 2019

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Date: May 9, 2019
For more information contact: Sheriff James J Bindl 608-647-2106

Richland County Sheriff’s Department to mobilize for Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement from May 20th to June 2nd.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department will join hundreds of law enforcement agencies throughout Wisconsin for the annual Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement campaign from May 20 to June 2.

“As we enter another major travel season, we’re reminding motorists that wearing a safety belt is the single most effective way to protect themselves and prevent needless tragedies along our roadways,” said Sheriff Bindl.

Currently, Wisconsin’s seat belt use rate stands at 89 percent, behind our neighboring states of Minnesota and Michigan that are both over 90 percent. Last year, about half of the car and truck occupants killed in Wisconsin traffic crashes were not buckled up.

“Our goal is voluntary compliance with traffic laws, not to write citations,”Sheriff Bindl said. “But given a choice, we’d much rather write a ticket than have to knock on someone’s door and inform them that a loved one has been killed or seriously injured in a crash. So we’re reminding all motorists to buckle up, every seat, every trip ”

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Wisconsin’s primary seat belt law that allows law enforcement to stop and cite motorists for failing to wear a safety belt. In addition, drivers can be cited for every unbuckled passenger in their vehicle. Last year in Wisconsin, there were 50,875 traffic convictions for failure to fasten seat belts.

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Download printable news release – Click it or ticket 2019