I am going out on my terms, so to speak. I just want to thank you guys for supporting me for about these six years. My committee is phenomenal, you have been a blessing from day one, and I really appreciate the support.”

Sheriff Scott Haines

Clark County Sheriff Scott Haines gave his last annual report at the September 19, 2024, Clark County Board of Supervisors meeting. He highlighted all the valuable administration and staff that work diligently in the Sheriff’s Department. First off Haines introduced new hires and promotions: Katie Heiman, Telecommunicator; Kari Wojcik, Reserve Telecommunicator; Emily Hughes, Corrections Deputy; Blake Weikel, Corrections Deputy; Dennis Becker promoted to Corrections Sergeant: Jeffrey Gurney promoted to Corrections Sergeant: Kenton Anderson promoted to full time Patrol Deputy: Jacob Haugstad, Patrol Reserve Deputy: and Brad Kolve promoted to Patrol Sergeant. Retiring in 2023 was Gail Campbell, Corrections Sergeant and Sarah Cliver, Corrections Deputy.

Administrative Division

The Administrative Division includes Sheriff Haines, Administrative Supervisor Heidi Ashbeck, Jail Captain Todd Tessman, Communication Captain Lea Sterry, Chief Deputy James Hirsch, Patrol Captain Wade Hebert and Detective Captain Kerry Kirn. It was noted that this staff often needs to work overtime. Listed below are hours left unused and comped hours due to over 80 hours in a pay period for each administrator:

Administrator   Time accrued        Hours lost            Comp Used           Comp Remaining

Ashbeck            33.50                      0                              27.25                      6.25

Hebert                99.75                      59.75                      80                           40

Hirsch                306                         264                         42                           40

Kirn                    55.5                        24.75                      70.75                      40

Sterry                 202.75                   42.75                      120                         40

Tessman             46.50                      0                              43                           3.5

Clerical Division

Current staff included in the Clerical Division are Administrative Assistants Jaimie Gomez and Becki Andrewski and Administrative Supervisor Heidi Ashbeck. In 2023 approximately 324 Civil Process requests were processed through the sheriff's office and the clerical division also processed 250 warrants.

Corrections Division

Haines highlighted the many areas handled by the Corrections Division. The Clark County Jail dedicated in 2000 has 126 beds and features a pod-based design. It houses all genders and classifies inmates from minimum to maximum security. Programs within the county jail include Bible study, GED, AODA, Skills group, PDC group, AA group, Amish Bible Study, Coping with Anger, Relapse Prevention, Socialization and Relationships. GED instructor Diane Opelt, now retired, has been a long-time volunteer serving the county since 2012 and helped to graduate four students in 2023. The Adult Development Services (ADS) staffs and prepares all the meals for the inmates. Inmates receive a hot and cold tray costing $12 per day. ADS served 60,938 total meals to inmates in 2023.

The jail employs 14 full-time Correction Deputies and four Correction Sergeants, as well as many reserve deputies. The employees include K9 Deputy Maggie McDonald, K9 Haven, Sergeant Mike Koprek, Deputy Colton Marten, Deputy Tyler Buksa, Sergeant Dennis Becker, Deputy Byron Hazard, Deputy Katelynn Deegan, Deputy Vickie Heeg, Reserve Deputy James Tork, Reserve Deputy Lacey Murphy, Deputy Molly Tyznik, Deputy Blake Weikel, Deputy Jim Matti, Sergeant Louise Hackel, Sergeant Jeff Gurney, Deputy Emily Hughes and Deputy Brendt King. Corrections had several retirements, Sgt Gail Campbell and Deputy Craig both having served over 20 years.

A grant secured from the Wisconsin Department of Justice in conjunction with the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Abuse Site-Based Program (COSSAP) has been extended to cover the Medication Assisted Treatment Team program until 2027. Support services were purchased from Three Bridges Recovery Inc. (TBR) staff to provide training. TBR will be working with staff to provide peer recovery support services in the jail for inmates and grant participants post-release from incarceration.

April of 2021 the Clark County Jail implemented the Electronic Monitoring Program which allows inmates to serve at home sentences. The report indicated electronic monitoring income was $26,965 declining slightly from 2022. The average daily jail population was 49.30 for 2023 which included housing inmates per contract for Trempealeau County and Jackson County. Out-of-county housing generated $265,159.09. The county also received $57,986.82 in probation holds. One hundred and forty prisoners were transported which include court appearances, juvenile transports, mental health commitments, medical appointments and warrant pickups.

Detective Division

Captain Kerry Kirn oversees detectives Nathan Schreiber, Jared Beauchamp, Alexander Cattanach and Aaron Ruggles and Drug Investigator Joshua Niemi. Detectives investigated 225 cases in 2023, “many that were complex and time consuming, requiring detectives to dedicate many hours, days and weeks to report writing and drafting search warrants,” reported Haines. “In some cases, dozens of reports and search warrants were written and dozens of interviews with individuals were done.”

There were 225 incidents recorded in 2023, the top three being: drug investigation 61, sexual assault 53, and Internet crimes against children 24.

Patrol Division

Patrol personnel consists of 21 full-time deputies: Deputy Dan Walters, Courthouse Security Deputies Dylan Baxter and Brett Chwala, Deputy Jason King, Deputy Skylar Barth, Sgt Brad Kolve, Deputy Travis Schuld, Sgt Matt Prein, Deputy Dan Natzke, K9 Deputy Michael English, K9 Arthur, Deputy Kenton Anderson, Deputy Easten Schultz, Rec Deputy Jeremy Ruggles, Deputy Brandon Baxter, Deputy Nick Klemm, Sgt Marty Schwantes, Rec Deputy Charlie Ackerman, Deputy Jason Scheffler, and Deputy Jeff Strzok.

Telecommunication Division

Twelve full-time deputies staff the Telecommunication Division including: Tasha Davis, Kari Wojcik, Tammy Cook, Ellie Albrecht, Captain Lea Sterry, Marla Okerglicki, Katie Heiman, Tara Strey, Allyssa Carney, Tabitha Sazama, Stephanie Bieneck, Brittany DeMott, Leah Schablow and Samantha Howey. “They are the central nervous system of the county, keeping the flow of communication open between citizens, our county and the emergent and non-emergent services we provide,” Haines reported. The Dispatch Construction Project was completed in November. Improvements made for a safer working environment as there were electrical and wiring issues, the console was over 16 years old, and the dispatch center was crowded.

Chaplain Program

Haines spoke highly of the Chaplain Program and Chaplain Jamie Gripentrog. The purpose of the program is to provide support to the public and the deputies as they serve and protect. “Along with the Peer Support Team, Haven, our emotional support dog and Hakes Wellness Solutions, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Ministry is making a difference in the lives of our deputies and their families,” said Haines.

Retiring at half term

As the report wrapped up Sheriff Haines announced he will retire as of the end of December 2024. “I'm 62 years old, and it's hard to bounce back and be resilient and be a cheerleader for 70 some staff members in the cities. And I'm ready to start enjoying my retirement.”

 “I sent an email to the governor's office letting them know, they say it's resigning because I'm putting in my papers halfway through my term, my term is four years as Sheriff. I sent the Governor recommendations of people who I thought would be good filling in for me in the next two years, and he'll make an appointment. And I feel that if these two people get interviewed, and one of them gets appointed, then it’s going to be a smooth transition for our agency. I also sent a letter to our staff, letting them know before I came up here.”

Haines then explained how a new sheriff is then appointed through the governor’s office. The position is posted for two or three weeks, there's a screening process; they choose the qualified people; the governor's office assigns a panel to do the interview process; an applicant is recommended to the governor and the governor then appoints the new sheriff.

“I wanted to finish my term, but I just… I am done and not because of you,” said Haines. “It’s not financial or any of that stuff, it's just right here, it’s time. And I've had that talk with many people over the years, that have come to my office and said, ‘You know what, I can't do it so.’ But my career has been nothing but a blessing, I love going out on a high, and not just something, you know, where I messed up. I am going out on my terms, so to speak. I just want to thank you guys for supporting me for about these six years. My committee is phenomenal, you have been a blessing from day one, and I really appreciate the support.”