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Dodge County Deputy Shot at Elba Dog Park; Suspect Found Dead

Columbia County’s tactical team took operational command to avoid a conflict of interest during an active investigation into an apparent self‑inflicted death.

Overview

  • The shooting occurred Sunday night after deputies and Columbus police responded to reports of an intoxicated, threatening man at River Run Dog Park in the Town of Elba.
  • The suspect fired on officers and struck a Dodge County deputy, who was medically evacuated to UW Hospital in Madison with serious but non‑life‑threatening injuries and released early the next morning.
  • Officers secured the scene and later found the suspect dead inside a vehicle from what investigators say appears to be a self‑inflicted gunshot; a handgun was recovered and authorities say no law enforcement officers fired their weapons.
  • Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, with the Columbia County Emergency Response Team assuming tactical lead to avoid a potential conflict of interest while Dodge County continued to assist.
  • A shelter‑in‑place order and a temporary Highway 73 closure were lifted and the shooting remains under active investigation with standard evidence‑preservation and officer‑involved procedures ongoing.