Press Releases

NOTICE:

In compliance with the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision in Senne v. Village of Palatine, 695F3d597 (7th Circuit, 2012), and the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (“DPPA”), 18 U.S.C. §2721 et.seq., the Washington County Sheriff’s Office is no longer releasing personal information under the DPPA unless it falls under a permissible use. Personal information obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles, including an individual’s date of birth, drivers license number, social security number, home address, telephone number, photograph and medical or disability information is prohibited from disclosure unless one of the permissible uses applies. Permissible uses are listed in 18 U.S.C. 2721 (b).

Press releases archive after 60 days and are removed from site after 120 days:
Link to Archive

 

 

Text-to-911 Service
03/18/2025
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.
Read More about Text-to-911 Service
clear
House Fire 25-8710
03/09/2025
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.
Read More about House Fire 25-8710
clear
Community Notification
03/07/2025
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.
Read More about Community Notification
clear
Defendant Sentenced to 60 Year Term
02/21/2025
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.
Read More about Defendant Sentenced to 60 Year Term
clear
School Threats Investigation Averts Indiana School Shooting
02/14/2025
On Monday evening, February 10, 2025 the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a tip from the Wisconsin Department of Justice about threats to commit a school shooting on Valentine's Day as well as killing the suspect’s best friend. The tip did not name a particular school. The tip identified a 19-year-old woman from the Town of Addison as the suspect. The 911 dispatcher recognized the seriousness of the threat and immediately contacted the shift supervisor. The suspect's residence was placed under surveillance and investigators worked throughout the evening on the investigation alongside Washington County District Attorney. Quickly we were able to identify that the suspect did not attend school, and we were not able to determine a locally targeted school.
Read More about School Threats Investigation Averts Indiana School Shooting
clear
02/09/2025 Two Vehicle Accident with Injuries
02/09/2025
On 02/09/2025 at 8:06pm, the Washington County Sheriff's Office Communication Center received 911 calls of a two vehicle head-on crash on Hwy 33 west of Hy 175 in the Town of Addison. Deputies, Wisconsin State Patrol Troopers, and Allenton Fire and Rescue were subsequently dispatched to the scene.
Read More about 02/09/2025 Two Vehicle Accident with Injuries
clear
Richfield Incident
02/07/2025
On Thursday, February 6, 2025 at approximately 2:44 p.m. the Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a residence on Prairie Lane in the Village of Richfield. The male caller asked the dispatcher to “send them please” and hung up. Dispatchers attempted to call the individual back, but they did not receive an answer. The first Washington County Deputy arrived at the residence within three minutes of the 911 call.
Read More about Richfield Incident
clear
Residential Structure Fire in Richfield
02/04/2025
On 02/04/2025 at 2:57pm, the Washington County Sheriff's Office Communication Center received a 911 call from a passerby reporting visible flames coming from a residence on Plat Rd north of Monches Rd in the Village of Richfield. Deputies and Richfield Fire were subsequently dispatched to the scene.
Read More about Residential Structure Fire in Richfield
clear
Residential Structure Fire
01/26/2025
On 01-26-2025 at 1:02pm, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center received a 911 call from a passerby reporting flames coming out of the roof a residence on Hwy 175 in the Town of Hartford. The passerby attempted contact at the front door, however received no response. St. Lawrence Fire and Deputies were subsequently dispatched to the scene.
Read More about Residential Structure Fire
clear
Community Notification
01/24/2025
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.
Read More about Community Notification
clear