Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin
End of Watch: Friday, October 2, 2026
Trooper Brad Ritger succumbed to injuries sustained on September 21, 2026, when he fell from a highway overpass on I-94 in Dunn County after deploying spike strips.
Troopers had located a vehicle that had fled from other officers several hours earlier. The vehicle fled a second time, and troopers pursued it along I-94. Trooper Ritger deployed spike strips and was moving to a position of cover when he fell from the bridge onto 490th Avenue below. Other officers immediately rendered aid until he was transported to a local hospital. He remained hospitalized until succumbing to his injuries on October 2, 2026.
The vehicle that was being pursued stopped a short distance away due to punctured tires after hitting the spike strips, and the driver was taken into custody.
Trooper Ritger had served with the Wisconsin State Patrol for five years and had previously served with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for three years.