Marinette County Sheriff's Office

10/03/2026

Rest in Peace Trooper Ritger.

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.

10/01/2026

The Police Lights Of Christmas Photo COPetition voting is live! The theme this year is “Our Officers are Kids at Heart”. This is our last event of the year to raise money that is turned into gift cards for officers to give out where they see a need this Christmas season and beyond. Please consider voting/donating for our Marinette County Sheriff’s Office photo. Each dollar donated equals one vote. All money raised by voting on our photo comes back to Marinette County. Thank you all for your support and donations from the Ride With the Lights and Cops at Culver’s events earlier this year. We are so grateful for all of you who have partnered with us to help us give back to our community.

...I'm guessing this deputy used to get into mom's makeup when she was a kid... Now, she's the Sheriff's problem : )

09/22/2026

Please join us in welcoming our newest patrol deputy, Dustin McNamer, to the Marinette County Sheriff’s Office. We had a badge pinning ceremony for his first day, where he was joined by his family, friends, and new coworkers. Welcome to the team, Deputy McNamer!

09/21/2026

Please join us in congratulating Assistant Jail Administrator Jacob Roberts and Lieutenant Jon Doran on their recent graduation from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Leadership in Police Organizations (LPO) leadership development program which was held at the Lake Delton Police Department. The 2-week course is based on material developed for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Focused on cultivating leaders at all levels of the organization, LPO training is highly interactive. Small group case studies, videos, and class exercises are used to reinforce learning. Thank you both for your hard work and for continuing to invest in the future of our organization and the community we serve.

Pictured: Jail Administrator Joseph Moser, Assistant Jail Administrator Jacob Roberts, Lieutenant Jon Doran, and Sheriff Randy Miller.

09/15/2026

09/11/2026

09/08/2026

🚨JUST 2 WEEKS LEFT! 🚨

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the Run to Remember!

Register by September 22nd to receive your event T-shirt!

Join us on October 3rd at Badger Park as we come together to honor fallen and catastrophically injured law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS personnel.

Bring your family, friends, and even your four-legged friends! 🐾

Sign up today: https://runsignup.com/runtorememberpeshtigo

09/03/2026

LABOR DAY TRAVEL: As the Labor Day weekend approaches, we’re reminding travelers that a safe trip starts with smart choices behind the wheel.

According to AAA, peak travel times are expected from 2-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, 12-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, and 2-5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7. Stay ahead of those busier times and “know before you go” at 511wi.gov to access traffic cameras, incidents, travel times, and more.

Please leave your phone alone, follow speed limits and stay patient on the roads. Most road construction will pause over the weekend to open as many lanes as possible. Some projects may still impact travel – check out our statewide list here: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/about-wisdot/newsroom/news-rel/090226-laborday.aspx

09/01/2026

September 1, 2026 is National Police K9 Day! Today we honor our courageous K9 heroes for all they do to help keep Marinette County safe each and every day.

Please join us in wishing a Happy Police K9 Day to Deputy Karl Goerlinger and K9 Sander, Sergeant Spencer Elias and K9 Lobo, Deputy Ben Hicks and K9 Bouwa, and Deputy Chad Haws and K9 Vinny!