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Kewaskum Police officer, Ellis, placed on paid administrative leave
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By Andrew Kuehl
akuehl@kewaskumstatesman.com
KEWASKUM An 18-year veteran of the Kewaskum Police Department is on paid administrative leave after a number of charges were presented to the village’s police and fire commission here Monday evening, May 7.
Kewaskum’s Chief of Police Dick Knoebel presented charges for Troy Ellis of unbecoming conduct, two counts of immoral conduct, use of alcohol off-duty and off-duty hours. The police and fire commission met for the first time regarding disciplinary measures for an officer and accepted the charges.
The charges stem from a March 18, 2007 incident in which Knoebel says Ellis attempted to gain entry into a house in the 500 block of Braatz Drive, near his home around 1 a.m. That homeowner found Ellis, whom he did not recognize, and asked what he wanted. Ellis did not respond. After the homeowner was able to lock the door to which Ellis was attempting to gain entry, he continued several more times to enter the home, trying another door.
The homeowner’s wife dialed 911 and a Kewaskum Police Officer responded. That officer recognized Ellis and asked what he was doing since this was not his home. “Ellis looked at him with a glazed and confused look, but did not respond (to the officer)” according to the charges.
The police officer then approached Ellis, putting his hand on his shoulder in a motion to escort him from the home. Ellis then pulled away from the officer twice. The officer was finally able to get Ellis into his squad car. He was later taken to his home.
The homeowner, after learning it was Ellis, stated he did not wish to press charges. He and his wife later admitted that the condition and conduct of Ellis created a negative impression of him as a police officer.
The responding officer stated, “Ellis was extremely intoxicated, his speech was slurred, he had a hard time walking to the squad car and to the house.”
After learning of the incident, Knoebel requested the Washington County Sheriff’s Department conduct an internal investigation. The investigation revealed that Ellis began drinking at his home on March 17 at 6 p.m. After consuming 10 beers he drove to a local bar where he was out until around 12:30 a.m. March 18. During that time Ellis drank between 12 and 16 beers and at least one shot of liquor.
During his interview Ellis admitted to drinking at home and then driving to another local bar and several other bars after that. He reported that he did not drive home after that, but could not report the driver who brought him home. He further stated he did not realize he was at the wrong home and did not recall anything while at the wrong home. He also did not recall being taken home by the Kewaskum Police Officer.
The conclusion by the Sheriff’s Department investigation revealed that Ellis had no intent to trespass or commit an act of disorderly conduct, however he did, “significantly impact the family.”
Knoebel stated in his report that “just cause” exists to discipline Ellis for violating policies and procedures of the Kewaskum Police Department. He reiterated an officer must be available even during off-duty time to respond to an emergency situation. He requested the commission discharge Ellis as a Kewaskum Police Officer, “for the good of the department.”
More information will be published as it becomes available. To see a copy of the charges presented to the Police and Fire Commission, CLICK HERE
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