10/06/2026
Caution: Language Warning.
Re: Retaliation Lawsuit
In recent years, the Sheriff's Office has been involved in multiple lawsuits, resulting in thousands of dollars in litigation. Some of these lawsuits resulted in money being paid out. For example, now Waupaca Police Chief Pete Kraeger's suit was settled for $75,000 over the altering of report issue involving Sheriff Wilz in 2022. The below information provides you another example of how this pattern of behavior has been a problem for years now.
Below, is a copy of the lawsuit involving the current Jail Captain/Undersheriff and current Jail Lieutenant. This is the official "Final Decision and Order" from Administrative Law Judge, the Honorable Stephanie M. Brown.
The defendant in this case was recently retired Jail Sergeant, Debra Krueger. Members of the department who were involved were Captain Adam Wogsland and Lieutenant Jason Russell.
Sgt. Krueger won all of her retaliation lawsuits, including this one. The original discrimination suit was dismissed but only because it was determined to be retaliation, not sexual discrimination.
Some of the things to pay special attention to are as follows:
- Wogsland and Krueger both interviewed for Jail Captain. Krueger had more supervisory experience and education. Wogsland did not. The promotion required a degree, which Wogsland did not have. Wogsland was promoted to Captain - effective January 2013.
- In 2004, Wogsland and other officers were caught playing football outside the jail when they were on duty and should have been working. Krueger reported this behavior.
- In 2004, Wogsland was "yelled at" for throwing rolls of toilet paper around the jail.
- In June 2009, Wogsland placed hotdogs in another employee's car. Weeks later, he noticed one hotdog still in employee's car. He took said hotdog & put it in a beef jerky wrapper, provided it to the employee and told employee to eat the "jerky". The employee ate the hot dog, thinking it was jerky.
- In June 2011, while at a training, Wogsland commented to a female employee that her car looked like something a "washed up old ho" would drive.
- In June of 2011, Wogsland also referred to this female employee as a "scissor sister".
- In 2012, Wogsland touched an employee's leg or thigh, ran his finger up their leg, and talked in a different voice to them. The employee responded by pushing Wogsland's hand away.
- In June of 2012, Wogsland created a password for Sgt. Krueger to use. He gave her the password of "lesbianlust4."
- While Wogsland was a Sergeant, he would throw duck taped balls at males' genitalia to determine who could take the most pain. Wogsland referred this as "nut-ball".
- Wogsland would make prank phone calls while on duty.
- Wogsland would draw pen*ses on an Officer's calendar and on Officers' timecards.
- On one occasion, Wogsland took another Officer's wallet and took money out to pay for food for other employees. Wogsland did not tell the Officer he took his money.
- On one occasion, Wogsland twirled his Taser on his finger. The Taser discharged near his face. At this time, Wogsland was the Safety Instructor at the jail.
CONCLUSION:
Captain Wogsland was never formally disciplined by the Sheriff's Office for his behavior. He is currently the Jail Captain and was recently named Undersheriff.
Statutorily, the Undersheriff can take over the duties of Sheriff, if/when the Sheriff resigns or is unable to perform his/her duties. It is not normal for a department of our size to have both a Chief Deputy and Undersheriff. Waupaca County has both.
I want you to keep something in mind. When it is said that "I am bashing members of the Sheriff's Office", I am simply calling this unacceptable behavior out and letting everyone know that it is NOT okay. It will not be tolerated by me as your Sheriff. There are facts and documentation that prove these multiple accounts of harassment and retaliation. The fact that not only has Jail Captain Wogsland remained in his position after 4 lawsuits, but has now been named the Undersheriff, should go to validate everything I have presented to the voters thus far.
When the same problems keep coming back, it’s time to ask why.
Over the years, the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office has faced lawsuits involving allegations of retaliation, discrimination, interference with a witness, and other conduct involving the administration of the office.
These cases span multiple administrations. That matters.
This isn’t about attacking certain individuals, certain employees, or political parties. It’s about looking honestly at what has happened, learning from it, and asking whether the same systems and practices that contributed to these issues require change.
Lawsuits are not, by themselves, proof that every allegation made in a complaint is true. But repeated litigation involving similar concerns deserves to be examined rather than dismissed.
The question isn’t “Who do we blame?”
The question is: “What can we change so these situations stop happening?”
That means stronger policies, consistent accountability, better communication, proper training, transparent leadership, and creating a culture where doing the right thing comes before protecting the Sheriff's Office or repeatedly finding itself in situations that lead to costly disputes and litigation.
- Ofc. Justin
