Weather Related Death
Posted on 09/25/2025
Date: September 25, 2025
Case: Weather Related Death Investigation 25-34815
Authority: Lieutenant of Detectives Tim Kemps
On 9/22/25 at around 7:00 pm, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Kewaskum Fire Department, was requested to assist in a search that was already underway by DNR and Fond du Lac County authorities for a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forestry employee who was working in the New Fane Trail area that day and had not returned home. The missing forester’s vehicle had been found in Fond du Lac County, and the search track was moving towards the Washington County/Fond du Lac County line. The victim was located deceased in a wooded area at around 7:40 pm in the Town of Kewaskum.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division investigated, along with the Wisconsin DNR, and the Washington County Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation revealed that a lightning strike caused the death. Investigators have verified that there was a documented lightning strike in that area around 10:15 am that morning.
The United States averages around 20 deaths per year related to lightning strikes. Although extremely rare, this case illustrates the need to take the threat of lightning and the dangers it poses seriously.
The victim has been identified as 48-year-old Adam Zirbel from Plymouth, who was employed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as a Forester. Sheriff Schulteis extended his condolences and prayers to the Zirbel family on behalf of the entire agency. “Adam dedicated his life to the service of others as a father, husband, community leader, and DNR forester. We are better off because of Adam’s contributions to society and he will be missed by many. He died performing a civil service to the people of Wisconsin, and for that, we are all forever grateful for his service.”