Over the course of my career, I was involved in hundreds of investigations. While many were routine, one case early in my time as a Detective stands out as particularly meaningful because it involved protecting a child and ensuring justice was served quickly.

Shortly after my promotion to Detective, I worked with Sauk County Human Services to investigate a report involving a young child. Using specialized forensic interviewing techniques I had recently been trained in, we were able to obtain critical information needed to move the investigation forward. The suspect, who traveled frequently for work, was located and taken into custody within 24 hours.

Through a thorough and professional investigation, the suspect ultimately confessed, waived his right to trial, and was sentenced to 42 years in prison. From the time of arrest to sentencing, the entire process was completed in just eight days.

This case stands out to me not only because it was my first major felony investigation as a Detective, but because it demonstrated the importance of training, teamwork, and decisive action. Most importantly, it ensured a dangerous offender was removed from the community and a child was protected.

Protecting the most vulnerable members of our community is one of the most important responsibilities of law enforcement, and it is a responsibility I have always taken seriously.

I began my law enforcement career with the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office in July of 2000, following my service as a patrol officer with the City of Edgerton, Wisconsin. Shortly after joining Sauk County, I was promoted to Detective, where I investigated a wide range of criminal cases, including crimes against children. While these cases were among the most difficult emotionally, they were also some of the most meaningful, as they helped protect vulnerable victims and ensured offenders were held accountable.

I later transferred into a federally funded position as the county’s lead narcotics detective. In that role, I worked closely with local, state, and federal agencies to investigate drug trafficking and narcotics-related crimes. This experience strengthened my ability to coordinate multi-agency investigations and address complex criminal activity affecting our communities.

During my time as a Detective, I also served as a department firearms instructor, completing extensive certifications related to use-of-force training, firearms operation, and documentation. In this role, I was responsible for training and preparing deputies to perform their duties safely, professionally, and in accordance with the law.

In July of 2004, I was promoted to Patrol Sergeant. As a supervisor, I led deputies on patrol, made critical operational decisions, and ensured our deputies had the guidance and support needed to serve the public effectively. I also served as a Field Training Officer, helping train and mentor new deputies, and was a member of both the Emergency Response Team and the Dive Rescue Team.

These experiences gave me a comprehensive understanding of law enforcement—from investigations and frontline patrol to training, supervision, and leadership. I have worked in the roles I would be responsible for overseeing as Sheriff, and I understand what it takes to support deputies, maintain accountability, and serve our community with professionalism and integrity.

I don’t have an axe to grind with the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office. In fact, I have tremendous respect for the dedicated men and women who serve our county every day. Many of them are friends, former coworkers, and professionals who work incredibly hard under difficult circumstances.

What I am passionate about is leadership. When more than 80 employees leave an organization in just 4½ years, I believe we have an obligation to ask why. My concern has never been with the employees it is with the leadership and culture that have allowed so many good people to walk away.

If standing up for every employee, demanding better leadership, and insisting that every division is valued makes it seem like I have an axe to grind, then I’ll proudly own that every day. The staff deserve better, and the citizens of Sauk County deserve a Sheriff’s Office where employees want to build a career, not look for the exit.