Wood County Sheriff

10/14/2026

Wood County is seeing an increase in the number of drug overdoses between October 7 and October 14, 2026. Read this information carefully to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your neighbors:

What is happening?
• Street drugs are deadlier right now. Illegal drugs - including pressed pills, co***ne, he**in, and methamphetamine - are being mixed with toxic amounts of substances like fentanyl.
• You cannot see, smell, or taste fentanyl. Even a tiny amount can cause a fatal overdose.
• Any pill not from a pharmacy could be fake. Do not trust pills bought online or from a friend.

How to stay safer?
• Never use drugs alone. If you don't have a safe person to use with, call Safe Spot at 1-800-972-0590. You cannot use naloxone on yourself.
• Use drug testing strips and test your supply (test stimulants for fentanyl, test opioids for xylazine). Free test strips are available at locations in Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids - see resource map below.
• Keep Narcan (Naloxone) with you. Tell someone where it is and how/when to use it.

Signs of an Overdose:
An overdose is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately if you see someone with these signs:
• Unresponsive: The person will not respond to your voice or touch. Yell, "I'm going to Narcan you!" or do a sternum rub with your knuckles.
• Breathing issues: Their breathing is very slow, shallow, or has stopped completely.
• Choking sounds: They are making gurgling, snoring, or choking noises.
• Skin changes: Their lips or fingernails are blue, gray, or pale.
• Small pupils: The black centers of their eyes are extremely small ("pinpoint pupils").

Training on how to use naloxone is available from the WI Department of Health Services on YouTube. Remember to give one dose every 2-3 minutes and check for return of breathing (they may not wake up completely).

Find free Wood County resources near you (resource map):
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1mQxr2IVwKWenPjT8gnoSAo8NINR7qRg&femb=1&ll=44.51277844977247%2C-89.9960521&z=1

10/14/2026

Come on out for the Fleetwood Mac Tribute band on December 5th 2026. Details on the flier.

Come down to Lincoln High PAC in Wisconsin Rapids on December 5th, 2026, for the Fleetwood Mac tribute band. Information is on the flier. Thanks for your support!

10/09/2026

Congratulations to Corrections Officer Ivy Contreras!! Today she graduated from Mid-State Technical College’s Jail Officer Academy. Great work Ivy!! We appreciate you being part of our team!!! You may have recognized Ivy from one of the shows our staff was featured in recently😉

10/09/2026

Check out the video Retired Deputy Sara McCormick daughter Samantha working in our dispatch center. Welcome to the team Samantha!! Nice to get encouragement from your mom!!

10/08/2026

Thank you to NAMI Wisconsin for providing our Department with Crisis Safety Response kits! We are distributing these kits to have available in our squads when needed. Each kit includes the following: medication lock bag, medication lock box, cable gun lock, reusable hot/cold pack, single use ice pack, small first aid kit, earplugs, Navigating a Mental Health Crisis Guide, Wisconsin Crisis Guide, NAMI Wisconsin Resource Guide, folded crisis cards, NIMH brochures, 988 safety plan notepad, and crisis hotline magnets.

The items from these kits will be distributed based on individuals’ specific needs and circumstances and will be offered in hopes of reducing risk and to support individuals in crisis.

Pictured with one of the kits are Mental Health Investigator Sergeant Alesha Brundidge and Sergeant Adam Berry.

Thank you, Alesha, for leading this project and securing these resources for our department and community.

10/08/2026

https://www.andrewsepifund.com/

Andrew loved trucks, heavy equipment, and the work that came with them. He had dreams for his future and a passion for the trades. HIs life ended unexpectedly because of an undiagnosed peanut allergy. From that devastating loss came a mission: to help make sure first responders have immediate access...

10/06/2026

https://www.wpr.org/news/annual-training-program-teaches-law-enforcement-investigate-deaths-has-50th-anniversary #:~:text=Annual%20training%20program%20that%20teaches,long%20training%20program%20every%20September

Check out the article on Death Investigation School. Also check out the photo and see if you can pick out someone local who attended the training a couple years ago :).

10/06/2026

Fire Prevention Week is October 4th-10th. We are teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week™, October 4 -10, Charge into Fire Safety™: Safe Charging Is a Superpower. Help us spread the word that everyday actions can help prevent lithium-ion battery fires. Use your charging superpower by making smart choices every time you plug in. See the comments for more information.

10/05/2026

We want to extend a huge THANK YOU to the Wood County Sheriffs Office for bringing out Deputy Beathard and K9 Roscoe to the fest yesterday for a demonstration and Q&A! We hope everyone who was able to see it learned something new!🎃🐾💙

10/04/2026

Our condolences to WSP and Trooper Bradley Ritger’s family. Never forgotten.

It is with profound sadness that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Wisconsin State Patrol announce the line-of-duty death of Trooper Bradley Ritger at the age of 29.

On September 21, 2026, Trooper Ritger was responding to a traffic pursuit when he deployed a tire deflation device on a bridge deck west of the Dunn County/Eau Claire County line. As he moved to a position of cover, he fell from the bridge onto the roadway below. Despite lifesaving efforts and critical medical care, Trooper Ritger succumbed to his injuries on October 2, 2026.

Trooper Ritger joined the Wisconsin State Patrol as a member of the 67th Recruit Class. He served in the Northwest Region for nearly five years, primarily in the Dunn County area. During his career, he attained certifications as a general law enforcement instructor, mobile field force team member and squad leader, and salvage vehicle inspector. Prior to his service with the Wisconsin State Patrol, Trooper Ritger served with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for three years.

Trooper Ritger was a dedicated public servant whose strong work ethic and positive presence left a lasting impact on anyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He approached every situation with professionalism, integrity and a genuine commitment to serving others. Whether assisting the public, supporting his fellow troopers, or taking on difficult challenges, he consistently demonstrated compassion and willingness to help wherever needed. His dedication to his family and unwavering commitment to his profession will not be forgotten.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Trooper Ritger’s family, friends, loved ones and all who served alongside him. As the community mourns, the Wisconsin State Patrol has placed a law enforcement memorial vehicle at its Northwest Region Post in Eau Claire where the public is welcome to drop off cards, flowers, or other condolences.

Out of respect for the family, no additional information will be shared at this time. Funeral arrangements are being made by the family. We kindly ask media and the public to respect their privacy and space for grieving.