Vernon County Sheriff's Office

09/11/2026

TEMPORARY LOCAL ROAD CLOSURE 09-11-26

On September 11, 2026, starting at 9:09 AM Spring Coulee Road, in the Town of C**n, will be temporarily closed between Nerison Hill Road and Moilien Hill Road (there will be access to Yule Lane). The road is expected to open by 3:00 PM before the school bus travels the road this afternoon.

Sheriff Roy Torgerson

09/11/2026

At sunrise this morning, the flag at the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office was lowered to half-staff in remembrance of the lives lost during the terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001.

We remember the innocent lives taken that day. We also remember the brave men and women who ran toward the danger—firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical responders, and ordinary Americans who stopped to help others.

Twenty-five years later, their courage, sacrifice, and willingness to put others before themselves still speak to us.

We remember. We honor. We will never forget. 🇺🇸

On behalf of the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office,

Sheriff Roy Torgerson

09/10/2026

09/09/2026

HILLSBORO, Wis. – Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports that on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at approximately 1:45 PM, the Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center was notified of a single-vehicle crash in the Town of Hillsboro.

Dominic M. Kirkpatrick, age 17, of rural Hillsboro, WI, was operating a 2020 Chevrolet Sonic traveling west on State Highway 33, near Grimm Road, and lost control. The vehicle went off the right side of the roadway, overturned, and came to rest on its right side near a building.

Kirkpatrick was transported by Hillsboro Area Ambulance Service to Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area (St. Joseph’s Hospital), treated, and released.

At the scene with the Sheriff’s Office at the scene were the City of Hillsboro, WI Police Department, Hillsboro Area Fire Department, and Hillsboro Area Ambulance.

The operator was wearing a seatbelt and the airbags deployed.

The crash remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.

Seatbelts save lives!

Sheriff Roy Torgerson

09/08/2026

ONTARIO, Wis. – Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports that on Sunday morning, September 6, 2026, at approximately 10:45 AM, the Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center was notified of a motorcycle crash in rural Ontario, WI, in the Town of Whitestown.

Sheila Marie Stewart, age 57, of Shafer, MN was operating a 2012 Victory Motorcycles Crossroads on State Highway 33, near Taylor Valley Road and lost control. The motorcycle went onto its side and came to rest against the guardrail.

Sheila Stewart was injured and transported to Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area (St. Joseph’s Hospital) by Ontario Emergency Medical Service. She was wearing a full-face helmet and protective gear undoubtedly reducing the severity of the injuries.

At the scene with the Sheriff’s Office were the Ontario Fire and Rescue and Ontario Emergency Medical Service ambulance. Gundersen AIR initially sent as part of helicopter “auto launch” protocol but cancelled.

The crash remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Roy Torgerson

09/05/2026

Behind that call is a dedicated 911 dispatcher — someone who answers when you need help, stays calm when things are anything but calm, and works tirelessly to get the right resources moving.

911 Dispatchers at your service!

Today we had the opportunity to capture a photo of three dedicated members of our 911 communications team — 911 Dispatcher Johannes, 911 Dispatch Supervisor Easterday, and On-Call 911 Dispatcher Clements.

Our 911 dispatchers are here every day, ready to answer the call, help those in need, and support our deputies, officers, firefighters, and emergency medical responders.

While we happened to get this photo today, they represent so much more than just three people. They represent the hard work, dedication, professionalism, and commitment of our entire 911 dispatch team — and, in a larger sense, every member of the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.

From the road to the dispatch center, from corrections to investigations and administration, it takes every member of the team working together to serve our community.

We are proud of all of them and grateful for the important work they do each and every day.

Thank you to our 911 dispatchers and to every member of the Sheriff’s Office team for your dedication, professionalism, and service to our community! 💙

📸Sheriff Roy Torgerson

09/03/2026

VIROQUA, Wis. – Sheriff Roy Torgerson and Coroner Betty Nigh report a fatal farm-related incident occurred on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, in the Town of Viroqua.

Just before 12:30 PM, the Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center received a call from a farm located on Cherry Grove Road. The caller reported that the farm owner was possibly trapped inside a grain bin.

While in the process of unloading shelled corn from the bin, the grain had caked or ‘bridged,’ and the farmer entered the bin to help get the grain flowing into the unloading auger when the collapse occurred, trapping him beneath a large amount of grain.

The farmer, Raymond J. Ackman, age 74, was located and freed from the grain after extensive rescue efforts but died at the scene.

Our hearts goes out to the Ackman family as they face this unimaginable loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. We are truly humbled and deeply grateful for the tremendous response from the many firefighters, emergency medical responders, volunteers, concerned neighbors, friends, and partnering agencies who came together during this incident. They worked tirelessly and selflessly throughout the rescue effort, demonstrating the very best of what it means to serve and support one another in a community. While the outcome is heartbreaking, their efforts should never go unnoticed. On behalf of the Sheriff’s Office, Coroner’s Office, and the entire community, we want to express my sincere appreciation to every person who responded and helped in any way.

At the scene were the Viroqua Fire Dept. (Lead fire department), Viroqua Emergency Medical Responders, Tri-State Ambulance/Gundersen Ambulance, Westby-Christiana Fire Department, La Farge Fire Department, Vernon County Emergency Management, Cashton Fire & Rescue, C**n Valley Fire Department, Gundersen AIR, the Sheriff’s Office, Town of Viroqua, Vernon Co. WI, and many other volunteers.

The first unit arrived within five minutes of the call, and all units were clear from the scene by 4:30 PM.

Sheriff Roy Torgerson

Coroner Betty Nigh

09/03/2026

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE: As school starts in most Wisconsin districts this week, you’ll start to see more school buses on the roads again. Here’s a reminder of what the different colored lights on a school bus indicate and what you should do if they’re flashing:

🟠Amber Warning Lights: The school bus is about to stop. Slow down and prepare to stop.

🔴Red Warning Lights: Stop at least 20 feet from the bus whether approaching from either direction. The only exception is if you are traveling on the other side of a divided road that’s separated by a median or other physical barrier.



More: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/safety/equipment/sch-bus/dont-pass.aspx

09/01/2026

911 Dispatcher Krause, Deputy Turben, and 911 Dispatcher Krzewinski are at your service!

📸Sheriff Roy Torgerson