Richland County Sheriff's Office

House Fire in Sylvan Township Claims Life of 63 Year Old Rural Viola Woman

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On 8-24-19 at 10:06pm the Vernon Co Sheriff’s Dept received a 911 call reporting a fire at 18478 Co Hwy U in Sylvan Township. When authorities arrived, they discovered a 2 story home completely engulfed in flames. Early reports indicated that a person may still be inside the structure. Richland Center Fire responded & requested mutual aid from the Viola Fire Dept, and Lone Rock Fire Dept. Viola EMS also responded. When Sheriffs Deputies & RC Fire arrived they conducted a size up of the scene, and while doing so located an adult female laying behind the residence. It was determined an explosion had occurred. Viola EMS checked the female for signs of life and found none. She was pronounced dead at the scene by a Deputy Richland Co Coroner. She was identified as 63 year old Bonnie L. Strothman. Her husband, 68 year old Allen D. Strothman, was transported by Viola EMS to Vernon Memorial Hospital in Viroqua with non life threatening injuries. An autopsy was ordered by the Coroner’s Office.

Fire crews were on the scene for approximately 5 hours. The incident remains under investigation.

Investigation After Burglary in Viola Results in Arrest

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On 08/07/2019 the Richland County Sheriff’s Department took a report of a burglary that occurred some time during the overnight hours. It was reported someone had entered the Shear Bliss Beauty Salon at 119 W Commercial Street in the Village of Viola. A joint investigation by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Viola Police Department showed entry was made to the building and cash along with other items were taken. Evidence collected at the scene led investigators to speak with Zach Alexander, age 21 of Soldiers Grove. Alexander was contacted and admitted to the burglary. Alexander was arrested and is currently in the Richland County Jail on a felony burglary and theft charge . The case has been referred to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office.

Arrest or Charges: Burglary 943.10(1m)(a) and Theft 943.20 (1)(a)

 

Amish Buggy Incident Results in Minor Injury

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On 8/9/19 at 8:52am Richland County Sheriffs Department Dispatch received a 911 call of a traffic crash on US 14 West near County U. The report was a semi had crashed into an Amish buggy and there were injuries. Richland County Sheriffs Deputies responded, as did Viola EMS and Richland Center Fire Department. When Deputies arrived it was discovered there was no crash. An Amish family was traveling east on the shoulder of US 14 when a semi entered onto the hwy from a gravel drive ahead of the buggy. As the semi pulled out onto the roadway, the horse pulling the buggy spooked and ran into the south ditch causing the buggy to overturn. Two adults and three juveniles were in the buggy at the time, with two of the juveniles suffering very minor injuries. The injured were checked at the scene by Viola EMS and released.

Tractor Roll Over Results in Possible Injury

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On 8/7/19 at 3:33pm Richland County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a 911 call stating there was a tractor roll over on St Hwy 80 south near Joe Miller Lane. Richland County Sheriffs Deputies, Richland Center Police, Richland Fire & EMS all responded. The tractor was located in the west ditch, upside down at a driveway culvert pipe. Norman Putz, age 81 of Richland Center, had been using the tractor to mow the ditch line using a 3 point mower. As he attempted to mow around the culvert, the tractor overturned, landing upside down in the ditch with Mr Putz underneath it. Putz was extricated from under the tractor by the Richland Center Fire Department with assistance of Wegner Towing. Norman Putz was transported to the Richland Hospital with a possible injury. A WI DNR Warden assisted Richland County Officials at the scene.

Press Release Update

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On Tuesday 7/30/2019, Grant County authorities announced the completion of an investigation into the death of a Richland County Inmate.  Grant County officials with assistance from the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office have ruled the death of 25 year old Kevin L. Flint as an accidental death.  On 6/19/19, Flint was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by Richland County Deputies.  During the stop, illegal drugs were located in the vehicle.  Flint along with the vehicle operator were arrested for possession of illegal drugs and transported to the Richland County Jail.  As the investigation continued, a search warrant was obtained to conduct a body cavity search on Flint at the Richland Hospital by trained medical personnel.  Flint was transported to the hospital where the warrant was executed.  He was then returned to the jail with full medical clearance.

Shortly after returning to the jail, Flint fell ill and lost consciousness during the booking process.  EMS was immediately paged and CPR was started by Deputies prior to EMS arrival.  Flint was transported to the Richland Hospital ER where he died a short time later.

Richland County authorities requested the assistance of the Grant County Sheriff’s Dept. to conduct an independent investigation of the incident.  The Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the death as accidental with a cause of acute cocaine intoxication.

Sheriff James J. Bindl wants to thank the Grant County Sheriff’s Dept. for their time and work in this investigation.

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Education and Safety Day

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Education and Safety Day is presented by:

Richland Center Fire Department
Richland County Ambulance
Richland Center Police Department
Scouts BSA Troop 81

In cooperation with Julie Cairns State Farm Agency, and hosted by the Richland Center School District

When: Thursday, August 8, 2019
Time: 10:30am until 11:30am
Where: Jefferson Elementary School Playground, 586 North Main Street, Richland Center, WI
Ages: 5-18

Children not enrolled in the Summer School Program must be accompanied by an adult.

Topics Include: Water Safety, Basic First Aid, Vehicle & Pedestrian Safety, and Bicycle Safety including Bicycle Maintenance Stations

Safety Day Flyer

 

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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