Investigation underway in critical incident at Washington County jail

Authorities are investigating a serious incident that occurred at the Washington County Jail Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

Just after 8 am, a 28-year-old inmate sustained critical injuries after deliberately jumping from a top-tier railing of an adult pod at the jail. The man, said to be from Minnesota, was being held on a $50,000 cash bond on charges related to a domestic incident that occurred on September 27.

The pending charges include felony 1st Degree Reckless Injury and Aggravated Battery.

Jail corrections officers and medical personnel responded to the scene and administered immediate medical care while awaiting an ambulance.

Paramedics from the West Bend Fire Department arrived and provided further medical support on-site before transporting the man to a regional trauma center for advanced treatment for his injuries.

For transparency reasons, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office has requested the assistance of the East Central Wisconsin Sheriffs’ Investigative Team. This collaborative team consists of investigators from the Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Fond du Lac, and Washington County Sheriffs’ Offices. While not statutorily required for critical jail incidents, the Sheriff’s Office has taken this step to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation.

The Manitowoc Sheriff’s Office will be the lead investigative agency.