TOWN OF ELBA – A Dodge County Sheriff’s deputy who was seriously injured during a shooting investigation Sunday evening has been released from the hospital.
According to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and Columbus police officers were called around 6:56pm June 14 to River Run Dog Park in the Town of Elba for a report of an intoxicated man causing a disturbance and exhibiting threatening behavior toward members of the public.
Authorities say responding law enforcement found the suspect and attempted to make contact with him. During that contact, the sheriff’s office says the suspect fired at officers and deputies, striking one Dodge County deputy.
The deputy sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to UW Hospital in Madison. The sheriff’s office says the deputy was released early Monday morning and walked out under his own power, accompanied by family members, the sheriff, a patrol lieutenant, and several fellow deputies.
After the deputy was struck, authorities say the suspect retreated into his vehicle. Responding personnel took cover, secured the area, and coordinated a tactical rescue of the injured deputy so medical care could be provided.
The incident prompted a shelter-in-place order in the area of Rec Road and Temkin Road, just south of Columbus, and Highway 73 was closed between Highway 151 and the City of Columbus while law enforcement worked the scene.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office says the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team responded under mutual aid and assumed the lead role in the tactical operation to avoid any potential conflict of interest during efforts to take the suspect into custody.
Authorities later found the suspect dead inside his vehicle. The sheriff’s office says preliminary information indicates the suspect died from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators also advised that a handgun was recovered near the suspect.
The sheriff’s office says no law enforcement officer discharged a firearm during the incident. The shelter-in-place order has been lifted, and authorities say there is no ongoing threat to the community. Investigators do not believe any additional suspects were involved.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office has requested that Columbia County facilitate an officer-involved incident investigation into the circumstances surrounding the initial shooting. The multi-jurisdictional investigation team includes investigators from the Columbia, Waupaca, Marquette, and Juneau County sheriff’s offices.
Assisting agencies included the Columbus Police Department, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team, Dodge County Emergency Response Team, LifeStar EMS, Beaver Dam Fire Department, Beaver Dam Paramedics, and the Wisconsin State Patrol.
Additional information is expected to be released as the investigation allows.
