09/25/2026
Our thoughts are with Wisconsin State Trooper Brad Ritger and his family as he continues to fight and recover from serious injuries sustained in the line of duty.
On September 21, Trooper Ritger was assisting another Wisconsin State Trooper during a vehicle pursuit when he was critically injured while deploying a tire deflation device. He remains hospitalized and is receiving around-the-clock medical care.
Brad and his family have deep roots in our local community, and now is our opportunity to rally around them.
The Wisconsin Troopers Association has organized a fundraiser to help ease some of the financial burden Brad and his family will face throughout what is expected to be a long road to recovery.
If you are able, please consider donating. If donating isn't possible, simply sharing the fundraiser can help tremendously.
Let's show Brad and his family just how strong the support of our community can be. Please keep Brad, his family, his fellow Troopers, and everyone who knows and loves him in your thoughts as he continues his recovery. 💙
https://fundthefirst.com/campaign/a-hero-needs-healing-fundraiser-for-trooper-brad-ritger-wisconsin-troopers-association-jnxfpp
Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Brad Ritger was severely injured Monday morning, September 21, while responding to a traffic incident on I-94 in Dunn County.
Trooper Ritger was responding to a traffic pursuit when he deployed a tire deflation device on a bridge deck west of the Dunn County/Eau Claire County line. As he moved to a position of cover, he fell from the bridge onto 490th Avenue below. Life-saving measures including CPR were administered. Trooper Ritger was transported to a nearby medical facility where he remains under treatment.
He has served the Wisconsin State Patrol for five years and is assigned to the Northwest Region in Dunn County.
The driver involved in the pursuit was arrested after the vehicle eventually stopped in the median shoulder. The incident remains under investigation.