Vernon County Sheriff's Office

08/08/2026

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This is a special memorial broadcast in honor of Deputy Sheriff Bobbie W. Dickson, Badge Number 7, who made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life in service to his community.

Today, August 8th, 2026, marks 40 years since Deputy Dickson’s final watch serving his community on August 8th, 1986.

For 40 years, Deputy Dickson’s name has remained part of our history and always in our hearts.

Deputy Dickson served with dedication, courage, and an unwavering commitment to duty. Deputy Dickson answered the call to protect others, knowing that protecting others can demand the highest price.

But beyond the badge and the uniform, Deputy Dickson was a man who truly loved his family. He loved his country, and he loved his community. Those were the people and principles that made his service so meaningful.

Deputy Dickson formed a very strong bond with his fellow deputy sheriffs and law enforcement officers. The men and women who served alongside Deputy Dickson knew him not only as a fellow officer, but as a friend and brother in service.

Deputy Dickson’s death ripped a hole in the heart of the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office—a loss that has been felt for four decades.

Deputy Dickson proudly served his country, carrying with him the same sense of duty, honor, and commitment that defined his service to his community.

Although four decades have passed, time does not diminish the sacrifice that Deputy Dickson made.

Today, we remember Deputy Sheriff Bobbie W. Dickson—not simply as a name from our history, but as a law enforcement officer, a public servant, a devoted family man, and a patriot who gave his life protecting the community he loved.

Deputy Dickson made the ultimate sacrifice for his community. For that sacrifice, our community will be forever grateful.

Deputy Dickson’s service mattered.

Deputy Dickson’s sacrifice mattered.

Deputy Dickson will always remain in our memory.

After 40 years, Deputy Dickson’s name is still spoken with honor.

In recognition of Deputy Dickson’s ultimate sacrifice, Sheriff Geoffrey Banta permanently retired Badge Number 7 following Deputy Dickson’s death. Since that day, Badge Number 7 has belonged to Deputy Dickson—and Deputy Dickson alone. It has never been assigned to another member of the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, and it remains retired today.

Badge Number 7 is more than a number. It is a lasting symbol of Deputy Dickson’s service, his sacrifice, and the place he holds in the history of the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.

And Deputy Dickson’s dedication to his family, his community, his department, and his country continues to inspire those who wear the badge today.

Vernon clear,

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Authorized by Sheriff Roy Torgerson with support by Retired Sheriff Geoffrey M. Banta, Retired Sheriff Gene Cary, and Retired Sheriff John Spears

08/07/2026

UPDATE (08-07-26, 6:15 PM): All units and personnel have left the scene. This was a single-vehicle crash resulting in minor injuries.

Sheriff Torgerson

08/06/2026

**** OWNER HAS BEEN FOUND AND IS ON THEIR WAY TO GET THE DOGS- THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY FOR THEIR QUICK WORK IN ASSISTING THE FINDER TO GET THESE GUYS HOME.

We received a report this morning of a dog in distress in the Lovaas Ridge area outside Westby. The dog has since been freed and is being held onto by the finder. The dog and its companion are both described as springer spaniel type dogs. One dragging a tie out or leash.
If these dogs sound familiar to you please call the Sheriff's Office 608-637-2123 opt 1.

08/04/2026

08/04/2026

DE SOTO, Wis – Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports that on Monday afternoon, August 3, 2026, at approximately 4:30 PM, the Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center was notified of a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) rollover crash.

Lester Rollin Flick, age 81, of De Soto, WI, was operating a 2018 Gravely JSV 3000 on private property in the Town of Wheatland, accessible from South Glass Road in De Soto.

Flick was traveling down a steep, dirt hill road. Investigators determined that the UTV’s speed increased substantially as it traveled down the incline, causing it to overturn and strike a tree. Flick was ejected and came to rest at the edge of the trail, on the upper side of the vehicle, which came to rest on its left side, crossways of the trail.

Lester Flick was pronounced dead at the scene by Vernon County Coroner Betty Nigh.

The vehicle was equipped with rollover protection (ROPS), but the operator was not wearing a seatbelt.

Preliminary findings suggest the possibility that the operator experienced a medical event, as opposed to solely losing control of the vehicle.

At the scene with the Sheriff’s Office were the De Soto Fire & Rescue , Crawford County Sheriff's Office, Vernon County Coroner’s Office, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Tri-State Ambulance/Gundersen Ambulance, Gundersen AIR, and Ferryville Fire and Rescue were initially sent, but cancelled after the first units arrived at the scene.

The incident remains under investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Vernon County Coroner’s Office, and the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.

My heart goes out to the Flick family, and everyone involved in this tragic incident. The property where the incident occurred is owned by the Flick family—land that Mr. Flick truly loved and cared for.

Sheriff Roy Torgerson

08/01/2026

Sheriff Torgerson would like to congratulate Chief Deputy Mike Horstman with the La Crosse County Sheriff's Office. Thank you for 37 years of dedicated service. Enjoy a very well deserved retirement!

07/31/2026

Sheriff Torgerson would like to express his sincere gratitude to EVERYONE who contributed to honoring Honorary Deputy Sheriff Timothy D. Odegard, “Deputy Tim” — End of Watch July 13, 2026. Whether your efforts were made in full view of Tim’s family, friends, caregivers, or the community, or carried out quietly behind the scenes, they were greatly appreciated by all who knew and loved him. Nothing of this nature is ever accomplished without so many dedicated individuals working together as a team, and Tim would have wanted it that way.

A video that includes his last radio call audio, set to photos and music, is shared below. The song “The Spirit Rides On” was kindly submitted by Dr. Nathan Popp.

07/31/2026

Sheriff Torgerson would like to express his sincere gratitude to EVERYONE who contributed to honoring Honorary Deputy Sheriff Timothy D. Odegard, “Deputy Tim” — End of Watch July 13, 2026.

Whether your efforts were made in full view of Tim’s family, friends, caregivers, or the community, or carried out quietly behind the scenes, they were greatly appreciated by all who knew and loved him. Nothing of this nature is ever accomplished without so many dedicated individuals working together as a team, and Tim would have wanted it that way.

A video that includes his last radio call audio, set to photos and music, is shared below. The song “The Spirit Rides On” was kindly submitted by Dr. Nathan Popp.

07/31/2026

UPDATE: The operator is being taken to the hospital by private vehicle.

Sheriff Torgerson