November 27, 2020 – Washington Co., WI – The following incident is unpleasant to imagine.
It occurred Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020 in the Washington County Jail while many of us were celebrating Thanksgiving with our closest loved ones at home. I am sharing this incident because I also believe it is important for the citizens of Washington County to know the challenges correctional officers face in their daily duties.
As I have said before, corrections can be a dangerous career and also a rewarding profession. This case demonstrates the inherent dangers in the career.
Thursday evening, a 30-year-old male inmate, who has been incarcerated in the Washington County Jail since August 2020 on multiple charges relating to domestic violence and probation violations, began acting out.
The man covered his entire cell, including himself, with feces. He packed feces into the air vents and intercom system. He then tied a strip of fabric around his neck and then attempted to secure the other end to a sprinkler head. He armed himself with an improvised weapon and challenged correctional officers.
The newly created Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) was activated to intercede. This team was formed to uphold and maintain good order and security within the Washington County Jail.
The specialty team is committed to the continual safety of all inmates, staff and public within the confines of the Washington County Jail. The dedicated members of CERT utilizes advanced training, tactics and equipment to handle situations that pose a significant threat to the security and safety of the jail.
The display of force was enough to gain the immediate compliance of the subject and he was extracted from the cell without harming him. He will face additional charges for disorderly conduct, criminal damage to property and discharge of bodily fluids as he intentionally wiped feces on the arm of one of the correctional officers.
In these types of situations our number one goal is for everyone, inmates and correctional officers, to come out of the incident unharmed and safe. This is exactly what the end result was last night.
The amount of skill and professionalism displayed by the correctional officers under such adverse conditions is really remarkable. I am sincerely grateful for the level of professionalism our correctional officers display on a daily basis even when faced with some of the most unimaginable human conduct.
Sheriff Martin R. Schulteis
