Marathon County Sheriff's Office

08/31/2026

***MEDIA RELEASE***

A 53-year-old Iola woman died, and a 58-year-old man was injured following a two-vehicle crash near the intersection of County Highway C and County Highway I in the Town of Franzen on Friday, August 28, 2026.

At approximately 12:31 p.m., the Marathon County Emergency 911 Dispatch Center received a report of the crash.

The woman, identified as Jennifer C. Lemmer of Iola, Wisconsin, was trapped inside her vehicle and had to be extricated by emergency responders. Despite lifesaving efforts, Lemmer was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The 58-year-old man sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the cause and circumstances of the crash.

The Wisconsin State Patrol, Shawano County Sheriff’s Office, Wittenberg Fire and Ambulance, Hatley Ambulance, Medivac Air 2, and Marathon County Medical Examiner’s Office assisted at the scene.

No further updates are currently available. Any future updates will be provided by the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office page.

Marathon County Sheriff’s Office Case Number: 26.3747

08/27/2026

A big THANK YOU to the Hunter family for stopping by today and dropping off some amazing snacks!

We truly appreciate the wonderful variety of treats, but even more, we enjoyed having the chance to visit and chat with you. Your thoughtfulness and support mean a lot to all of us!

08/17/2026

The Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force, led by the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, continues to make significant impacts in our communities. The Task Force recently closed an investigation resulting in a Wausau man being federally sentenced to five years in prison.

The case stemmed from an October 2025 incident in which a confidential informant bought 27 grams of methamphetamine from Sher Khang. Investigators later stopped his vehicle and found 320 grams of methamphetamine, $400, drug packaging, and what appeared to be a homemade weapon.

The Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force is comprised of members from the FBI, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Wood County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Bay Police Department, Wausau Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation and Wisconsin National Guard Counter Drug Program.

Marquette County Sheriffs Office, Waupaca Police Department and the Stevens Point Police Department also assisted in the investigation.

A link to the U.S. Attorney’s Office case summary is below for additional details.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/wausau-man-sentenced-5-years-methamphetamine-trafficking

08/14/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 14, 2026
CONTACT: Lieutenant Michael Van Offeren

Let’s Work Together to End Drunk Driving!

Marathon County, WI — From August 14 through September 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will be working alongside the Marathon County Traffic Safety Task Force to deter drunk driving and prevent tragedies during the Labor Day holiday weekend. The message is clear: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. The Task Force comprises Officers from the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Wausau Police Department, Mountain Bay Metropolitan Police Department, Marshfield Police Department, Marathon City Police Department, and Stratford Police Department.

During the 2024 Labor Day holiday (6 p.m. August 30 - 5:59 a.m. September 3), there were 505 traffic crash fatalities nationwide. Of these 505 fatalities, 34% (170) involved a drunk driver. Seventy-seven percent of the impaired drivers killed had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 or higher. Among drivers between the ages of 18 and 34 who were killed in crashes over the Labor Day holiday in 2024, 40% of those drivers were drunk, with BACs of .08 or higher.

In Marathon County, 70 people are killed or injured in a crash involving a driver believed to be impaired by drugs or alcohol, in an average year. In the past three years, 11 people were killed in an impaired driving related crash. On average more people are killed in impaired driving crashed in Marathon County than statewide. – Wisconsin DOT Marathon County Traffic Safety Summary 2023-2025.

“We want our community members to understand that it’s our first priority to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out drinking,” said Lt. Van Offeren. “The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is an awareness effort to get the message out that drunk driving is illegal and it kills. Let’s make this a partnership between law enforcement and drivers: Help us protect the community and put an end to this dangerous behavior.”

If a driver intends to drink during a Labor Day festivity, he or she should plan ahead for a safe ride home by securing a designated driver or calling a taxi or rideshare. They shouldn’t wait until after drinking to plan how to get somewhere. Impairment clouds a person’s judgment and endangers others on the road.

If a driver finds they are unable to drive, they should give their keys to a sober driver so that person can get them home safely. When a friend has been drinking and is considering driving, friends should be proactive — take away the keys and help them get a sober ride home. If anyone spots a drunk driver, contact the Marathon County Dispatch Center at 715-261-1200 Option 1.

For more information on impaired driving, visit NHTSA.gov/DrunkDriving.

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08/13/2026

Earlier this week the Sheriff’s Office officially welcomed a new member to our team, Deputy Jessica Prudhomme was sworn in as a Deputy Sheriff.

Deputy Prudhomme recently graduated from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Academy. During our hiring process, Deputy Prudhomme shared her desire to help support victims of crime. She is currently enrolled in a graduate degree program where she is furthering her education related to supporting victims. We are happy to have Deputy Prudhomme join our team and look forward to all she will accomplish.

Please join us in welcoming Deputy Prudhomme to the Sheriff’s Office.

08/13/2026

***MEDIA RELEASE***

At approximately 1:16 p.m. Wednesday, August 12, the Marathon County Emergency 911 Dispatch Center received a call from a concerned citizen regarding a residence in the 600 block of Main Street in the Village of Marathon. Officers from the Village of Marathon Police Department, troopers from the Wisconsin State Patrol, and deputies from the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office responded and found a 26-year-old woman unconscious outside the home with life-threatening injuries. Responders moved the woman to emergency medical personnel for treatment, and she was transported to a local hospital. Officers then entered the home and found a 25-year-old man deceased inside.

Investigators have no information indicating an imminent threat to the public and believe this is an isolated incident.

The 600 block of Main Street remains an active scene as investigators continue their work. Members of the public are asked to avoid the immediate area while the investigation continues.

At the request of the Village of Marathon Police Department, the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation.

Marathon First Responders, Edgar EMS, and Wausau EMS assisted at the initial scene. The Marathon County Medical Examiner’s Office, the Marathon County District Attorney’s Office, and the Wisconsin State Crime Lab continue to assist with the investigation.

Investigators are asking anyone with information related to this incident to contact the Marathon County Sheriff's Office at 715-261-1200 (option 1). Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous may contact Marathon County Crime Stoppers at 877-409-8777, submit a tip through the P3 Tips app, or use the Marathon County Crime Stoppers online tip system.

The investigation is ongoing, and no further information is available at this time. Any future updates will be provided by the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office page.

Marathon County Sheriff’s Office Case Number: 26.3445

08/06/2026

SCAM ALERT: FRAUDULENT BOND PAYMENT DEMANDS

The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of members of the public being contacted by individuals fraudulently demanding bond payments for people held in our custody.

These communications are not legitimate and are an attempt to defraud you.

The only approved methods for paying bond for an individual incarcerated in Marathon County are:

• JailATM.com
• AllPaid.com
• The Stellar Teller kiosk in the public lobby of the Marathon County Jail
• Payment at the public window of the Marathon County Clerk of Courts Office, located on the second level of the Marathon County Courthouse
• Arranging payment through any county jail in the State of Wisconsin for a Marathon County inmate

Scammers may demand payment through:

• Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency
• Wire transfers
• Gift cards
• Payment applications
• Any payment method not included in the approved options listed above

The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office will also never request or solicit payment from a member of the public for an inmate to receive Electronic Home Monitoring conditions. All program-related fees are handled directly between the offender and the Marathon County Jail.

If you receive a suspicious communication involving bond payments or Electronic Home Monitoring fees:

Do not send money.
Do not provide personal or financial information.
Do not click links or follow payment instructions.

Contact the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office directly to verify the information and report the attempted fraud.

Please share this information to help protect others in our community.

08/05/2026

***CORRECTION FROM THE WAUSAU POLICE DEPARTMENT***

On early Sunday morning, August 2nd, 2026, at approximately 2 am, Wausau officers were called to Aspirus Hospital for a 43-year-old male with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The victim identified being shot, in a parking lot, in the 800 block of S. 3rd Ave.

After extensive investigation a suspect was identified. On the morning of August 5th, 2026, an arrest warrant was authorized for suspect, Jacob A. F. Lo, for First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety.

On the afternoon of August 5th, 2026, Wausau officers observed Jacob Lo operating a vehicle in the City of Wausau. A traffic stop was attempted, and a vehicle pursuit ensued. With the help of the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department, Mountain Bay Police Department and Kronenwetter Police Department Lo’s vehicle was stopped. After a brief foot pursuit Lo was arrested.

The Wausau Police Department is referring preliminary charges of First-Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety to the Marathon County District Attorney’s Office.

This case remains under active investigation. Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Robert Horstmeyer at 715-261-7610. To remain anonymous, tips can be submitted through Marathon County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-877-409-8777 or visiting www.marathoncountycrimestoppers.org.

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 5, 2026

Wausau Police Make Arrest in Shooting

Wausau, WI – On early Sunday morning, August 2nd, 2026, at approximately 2 am, Wausau officers were called to Aspirus Hospital for a 43-year-old male with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The victim identified being shot, in a parking lot, in the 800 block of S. 3rd Ave.

After extensive investigation a suspect was identified. On the morning of August 5th, 2026, an arrest warrant was authorized for suspect, Jacob A. F. Lo, for First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety.

On the afternoon of August 5th, 2026, Wausau officers observed Jacob Lo operating a vehicle in the City of Wausau. A traffic stop was attempted, and a vehicle pursuit ensued. With the help of the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department, Mountain Bay Police Department and Kronenwetter Police Department Lo’s vehicle was stopped. After a brief foot pursuit Lo was arrested.

The Wausau Police Department is referring preliminary charges of First-Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety to the Marathon County District Attorney’s Office.

This case remains under active investigation. Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Robert Horstmeyer at 715-261-7610. To remain anonymous, tips can be submitted through Marathon County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-877-409-8777 or visiting www.marathoncountycrimestoppers.org.

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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CONTACT

Name: Captain Melinda Pauls

Phone: 715.261.7986

Email: [email protected]

07/28/2026

***UPDATE - 6:30 p.m.***
County Road K is now open.

***MEDIA RELEASE***

On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at approximately 12:13 PM, the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office was requested by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office to assist with the pursuit of a vehicle that was traveling southbound on County Road K leaving Lincoln County and entering Marathon County.

At approximately 12:16 PM, dispatch was advised by Lincoln County that the vehicle they were pursuing had crashed near the intersection of County Road K and Rainbow Drive in Marathon County. A deputy from the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene of the crash and assisted Lincoln County deputies in approaching the vehicle. Upon their approach, they discovered the lone male occupant deceased in the vehicle.

Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute 175.47, the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from an outside agency to investigate the incident. The Wood County Sheriff’s Office will be the lead investigating agency and will be assisted by the Portage County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin State Patrol Technical Reconstruction Unit.

All involved deputies were wearing body-worn cameras and were operating fully marked squad cars equipped with in-car camera systems.

The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office are cooperating with the investigation, and any deputies who were directly involved have been assigned to administrative duties, consistent with agency policies.

Any further updates will be provided via the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office page.

07/28/2026

***UPDATE - 6:30 p.m.***
County Road K is now open.

***TRAFFIC ADVISORY***

Traffic near the intersection of County Road K and Rainbow Drive is temporarily being rerouted while law enforcement continues an investigation in the area. The scene is secure, and there is no threat to the public.

Southbound traffic on County Road K is being rerouted to County Road FF, then to County Road O.

Northbound traffic on County Road K is being rerouted to County Road L, then to County Road O.

The duration of the reroute is currently unknown. Updates will be posted on the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office page as more information becomes available.

Drivers traveling through the area should use caution, allow additional travel time, and follow the directions of officers at the scene.