Tactical Incident

Posted on 01/17/2024

DATE: January 17, 2024
CASE: 24-1961 Tactical Incident
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Schulteis

TOWN OF WEST BEND, WI - At 8:14 AM on January 16, 2024, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home in the 5700 block of Debbie La in the town of West Bend at the request of the West Bend Police Department. The police department was actively investigating a violation of a temporary restraining order that allegedly included pointing and placing the barrel of a handgun directly onto a victim.

The suspect, a 41-year-old Illinois man, reportedly fled to the home of his 76-year-old mother in the town of West Bend. Deputies located the suspect vehicle at the mother's home. Phone contact was made at the home with the mother, and investigators believed the suspect was inside the home.

Due to the recent alleged use of a firearm, and the possible hostage situation, tactical units from the multi-jurisdictional Washington County SWAT team and the West Bend Special Response Team were dispatched to the area at 11:09 AM. As the incident developed, the Sheriff’s Office also requested the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office respond with their armored rescue vehicle.

Washington County tactical negotiators were ultimately able to speak with the suspect on the phone. At about 3:30 PM, the suspect voluntarily exited the home and was safely taken into custody. Investigators learned that the mother was not held against her will during the incident, but she will not face any charges.

The heavy police presence was due to the nature of the incident, but also compounded by the need to rotate tactical operators from exposure to the extreme cold temperatures. Traffic around the subdivision was restricted during the incident.