Press Releases

On 04/17/2025 at 4:06pm, the Washington County Sheriff's Office Communication Center took multiple 911 calls reporting a semi crash on Interstate 41 between Hwy 28 and Cty Tk D. The callers reported that other vehicles were also involved, and that the semi was overturned in the median. Sheriff’s Deputies and State Patrol Troopers, along with Allenton Rescue and Kohlsville First Responders were subsequently dispatched to the scene.

A 24-year-old California man was arrested during a sting on Wednesday afternoon in connection with an attempted fraud against an elderly female in the Village of Richfield. He remains in custody at the Washington County Jail on an ICE detainer and pending charges. The investigation began on Tuesday when the victim received an email purporting to be from a computer tech support service. The email said she would be charged a subscription fee, so she clicked the link to cancel the subscription. Ultimately the suspects were able to gain access to the victim’s bank account and made it appear as if they had accidentally refunded a large sum of money into her account. The victim then received a phone call from someone indicating that she could either return the money by transferring it into Bitcoin or have the cash picked up by the courier. The victim became suspicious and contacted the sheriff’s office.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the following information pursuant to WI Statute 301.46(2m) which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offender’s release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety, awareness and protection. The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of a sex offense.

Washington County, WI - It is with profound disappointment and a deep sense of anger that I must inform the citizens of Washington County that one of our patrol deputies has been referred to the Washington County District Attorney’s Office after being accused of retail theft while on duty. The actions alleged are wholly unacceptable and a direct violation of the core values that this agency stands for.

On 03/25/2025 at 12:40pm, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center received a 911 call reporting a barn on fire on Western Ave in the Town of Jackson. The Jackson Fire Department and Deputies were subsequently dispatched to the scene.

Effective immediately, the Washington County Sheriff's Office is pleased to announce the availability of the Text-to-911 service for residents and visitors in every municipality within Washington County. This new service allows individuals who are unable to make a voice call to 911 to send a text message during an emergency situation.

On 3/9/2025 at 5:00pm, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center took a call from a homeowner, who reported there was smoke in their house, and it was coming from their basement, at 5058 High On A Hill Drive in the Village of Richfield. Washington County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and the Richfield Fire Department were subsequently dispatched to the scene.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the following information pursuant to WI Statute 301.46(2m) which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offender’s release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety, awareness and protection. The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of a sex offense.

Today, District Attorney Barry J. Braatz announced that Michael A. Westphal was sentenced for Trafficking of a Child and multiple counts of Possession of Child Pornography, stemming from a multi-jurisdictional investigation in 2023 and 2024, led by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, which uncovered Westphal’s involvement in the trafficking of a child in the Philippines and possession of numerous images and videos of child sexual abuse.