Richland County Sheriff's Office

Richland County Stabbing – Update

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The Richland County Sheriff’s Department has released further information of a physical altercation that involved a knife early Sunday night.

The incident was reported at 6:45 PM on Cribbin Hill Road near address 20393.  Richland County received a cellular 911 call asking for Sheriff’s Deputies to respond but due to poor signal, not much information could be obtained.  The first responding deputy came across a male subject lying along the roadway who was later identified as Jerome Lux, age 59 of Marshall Township.  It was determined Lux had received 2 stab wounds, one to the left chest and one to his neck.  The Deputy administered first aid and scene security until other County Deputies, an RCPD Officer and Richland County EMS arrived.  Further investigation discovered another male, Thomas Wagner, age 50 also of RC, lying injured in a nearby driveway.  Both men were transported to the Richland Hospital with Lux being transferred by MedFlight to UW Hospital in Madison.  A condition update on Lux is not known.

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

The investigation continues.

– Richland County Sheriff’s Department

Man Suffers Life-threatening Injuries in Richland County Stabbing

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The Richland County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate a physical altercation between two men early Sunday night. The incident was reported at 6:45 PM last (Sunday) evening. Few details have been released; however, the initial investigation revealed that one man suffered life-threatening stab wounds and was air lifted to a Madison hospital. His condition at this time is not known. Another man suffered non-life threatening injuries, was transported to the Richland Hospital, treated and later released. The names of both men involved have not been released pending further investigation.

Richland County Sheriff James J. Bindl stated there is no danger to the public. Additional details will be forthcoming from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Where Incident Happened: 20393 Cribben Hill Rd., Marshall Township, Richland County, WI

Other Agencies Involved: Richland County EMS, Richland Center Fire Department, and the Richland County District Attorney’s Office

Janesville Man Arrested for 6th OWI

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JeremiahSmithOn May 27th 2016 at approximately 9:27 PM a deputy made a traffic stop on U.S Hwy 14 near Old Mill Rd, for a speeding violation. When contact was made with the driver of the vehicle Jeremiah Smith, signs of impairment were present. During a check of Smith’s driving status, it was also found that Smith had a felony warrant out of Rock County Wisconsin. Smith was taken into custody for the felony warrant and also arrested for operating while under the influence 6th offense with a child in the vehicle. Smith had a three year old female, twelve year old male and an adult female in the vehicle that he was operating. Smith was transported to the Richland County Jail where he is currently being held.

WHEN:  05/27/2016    TIME of Incident:  9:26 PM

ARRESTED: Jeremiah T. Smith, 09/13/1983, of Janesville, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: U.S Hwy 14 @ Old Mill Rd, Lone Rock WI

ARREST or CHARGES: Operating while under the influence 6th with child in vehicle. Operating while revoked. Failure to install ignition interlock device. Open intoxicants in vehicle. Violate child safety belt restraint of child under the age of four years old. Speeding in a 55 mph zone 19 mph over speed limit.

Arrest for 7th OWI Offense

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JoshuaPerkieOn 05/22/2016 the Richland County Sheriff’s Department received a call of an intoxicated male party in the Richland Hospital parking lot leaving in a blue car. Deputies were able to locate suspect vehicle traveling north bound on Church St in Richland Center and did observe erratic driving while following the vehicle. Suspect vehicle was stopped at the intersection of 4th/Church St in Richland Center. When the deputy made contact with operator (Joshua Perkie) he noticed a strong odor of intoxicants coming from the operator of the vehicle and observed open intoxicants in the vehicle. When a check was done on Perkie’s drivers status it showed that Perkie was revoked due to an OWI related offense. Perkie was asked to perform standardized field sobriety test by deputy and showed signs of impairment. Perkie was arrested for OWI 7th offense, which is a felony in the state of Wisconsin.

WHEN: 05/22/16       TIME of Incident:  Approx 9:35 pm

Who Involved: Joshua J Perkie 03/16/1984 Muscoda, WI

Agencies Involved: Richland County Sheriff’s Department and Richland Center Police Dept.

WHERE Incident Happened: 4th/Church St, Richland Center, WI

ARREST or CHARGES: Joshua J Perkie: Operating while under the influence 7th Offense (Felony), Operating while revoked 2nd Offense and Failure to install Ignition Interlock Device.

Richland County Sheriff’s Department

One Vehicle Crash Results in OWI 5th

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On 05/20/2016 the Richland County Sheriff’s Department received a complaint of a one vehicle crash with injuries at the intersection of CTH A/Coulter Hill Rd in Richland County.

Upon arriving on scene deputies were advised that passenger George Schmidt had injuries from the crash and was transported by Viola EMS to Vernon Memorial Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Deputies made contact with operator of the vehicle Leland Mellum and notice a strong odor of intoxicants coming from his breath. When a check was done on Mellum’s driver status it showed that he was revoked due to an OWI related offense. Mellum was asked to perform standardized field sobriety test by deputy and showed signs of impairment. Mellum was arrested for OWI 5th offense with injury, which is a felony in the state of Wisconsin and operating while revoked.

WHEN: 04-02-2016 TIME of Incident: 1:59am

WHO Involved: 

  • Leland L. Mellum 11/11/1956, Richland Center, WI

    • George J. Schmidt 11/19/1951 Soldiers Grove, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: CTH A @ Coulter Hill Rd

ARREST or CHARGES: Operating while under the influence 5th offense with injury (felony), operating while revoked.

Agencies Involved: Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Viola EMS, Richland Center Fire Department, and Boaz First Responders

Richland County Sheriff’s Department

Two Killed in Rollover Crash

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Richland County Sheriff James J. Bindl reports at 2:49pm on Saturday May 14, 2016, the Richland County Communications Center received a 911 call of a roll over accident on County Hwy A about 3 miles west of St Hwy 80.  Richland County EMS, Richland Center Fire and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene.  It was discovered that a passenger car had over turned, landing in the south ditch at that location.  Two persons were pronounced dead at the scene by a Richland County Deputy Coroner.

Names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.  The Wisconsin State Patrol has been called to assist.  The investigation continues.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Richland County EMS, Baraboo EMS, Richland Center Fire, Richland County Coroner’s Office, and the Wisconsin State Patrol

Car/Tractor Crash Results in Minor Injuries

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At about 9:03pm Richland County 911 received reports of a crash on US 14 at County Hwy TB in Buena Vista Township near Sextonville. A 2001 Ford Escape being operated by Bonnie Guitweiler of Richland Center was traveling westbound on US 14 when it rear ended a piece of farm implement attached to a tractor which was stopped in the roadway. The tractor, owned and operated by Jason Fuller of Kaukauna, was stopped in traffic on US 14 waiting to turn south onto County Hwy TB when the collision occurred. The tractor was pulling a large lime spreader which was hauling several thousand pounds of lime and compost. There were lights attached to the rear of the spreader, however they were not working. After the impact, the tractor unit continued from the scene to a location on County Hwy TB. It was followed by a witness to the crash who called law enforcement. A Deputy made contact with the tractor operator who indicated he did not realize the crash occurred. The operator of the car was transported to the Richland Hospital with minor injuries. The car suffered extensive damage. The investigation continues.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland County EMS, Richland Center Fire Department, and the Richland Center Police Department

Person of Interest Named in Death Investigation

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Andrew WeedenCounty Sheriff James J. Bindl announced this morning the identity of a male subject who is a person of interest in the recent death investigation in Orion Township.

On Saturday February 20th, the Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call from a residence on Catherine Street in the town of Orion.  When deputies arrived they found the body of Rachael A. Pauls inside the residence.   Deputies were told a male subject had fled the scene. After a quick and successful search by Richland County K9 TITAN. Andrew T. Weeden, 29 years old, was taken into custody on a probation violation.

Weeden is being held in the Richland County Jail.  According to Sheriff Bindl, Andrew Weeden is being considered a person of interest at this time.  Sheriff Bindl wants to reassure residents there is no danger to the public.

The incident remains under investigation.

Richland County Sheriff’s Department

Death Investigation in Orion Township

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Officials of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department are investigating a death in Orion Township in southern Richland County.  The Communications Center received a 911 call at approximately 2:44 pm Saturday reporting a subject who needed medical attention at 22004 Catherine St. in the Town of Orion.  When Emergency responders and Sheriff’s Deputies arrived at the scene, the body of a 32 year old female was located inside the residence.  The woman found dead as Rachael A. Pauls, 32, of Muscoda. It appeared the victim had suffered substantial trauma to her face. Deputies began a search for a male subject who had reportedly fled the scene.  Richland County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dane Kanable deployed K-9 TITAN who quickly and successfully tracked and located that male subject.  He was detained for questioning and subsequently booked into the Richland County Jail on a probation violation.   The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is working closely with the Richland County District Attorneys Office.  The incident remains under investigation.

Other Agencies assisting in the incident: Muscoda EMS, Muscoda Police Department, Richland County Coroners Office, Richland County District Attorneys Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Justice Mobile Crime Lab and the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation

– Richland County Sheriff’s Department

Press Release – February 20, 2016

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Richland County Officials are investigating an incident that happened yesterday in Orion township, in the southern part of Richland County.

The Richland County Communications Center received a 911 call at approximately 2:45 pm, Saturday, February 20th, reporting a subject who needed medical care at a residence in the village of Orion.  Emergency Medical Services and Law Enforcement from Muscoda and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene.   After arrival it was determined that the incident warranted further investigation by law enforcement, and the investigation is continuing at this hour.  Officials want to stress there is no danger to the public from this incident.  The investigation continues.

Richland County Sheriff’s Department