Fatal Structure Fire - Town of Elk Mound

DATE OF RELEASE: October 16, 2025

INCIDENT #: D25-01491

SUBJECT: Fatal Structure Fire

AUTHORIZED BY: Sheriff Kevin Bygd

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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On October 16, 2025 at approximately 12:53 PM, the Dunn County Communication Center received a call from an individual who advised of a structure fire at a residence with a person still trapped in the residence. The person had mobility issues and was unable to get out.

The Dunn County Sheriff’s Office and the Elk Mound Fire Department responded to scene at E9099 570th Ave in the Township of Elk Mound, Dunn County, Wisconsin. The Dunn County Communications Center received another call from a delivery driver that was passing by. He reported that the house was fully engulfed in flames and he attempted to make entry but had to turn around due to the flames and smoke.

The residence was fully engulfed in fire upon the arrival of law enforcement and they were not able to make entry due to the flames. Elk Mound Fire Department along with Colfax Fire, Wheaton Fire, Eau Claire Township Fire, and Menomonie Fire Departments, worked for several hours to extinguish the fire. Colfax Ambulance along with Menomonie Ambulance, also

responded to the scene.

Once the fire was out the body of a female was located in the residence. She was pronounced deceased by The Dunn County Medical Examiner’s Office. The cause and origin remains under investigation. The case remains under investigation by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, Dunn County ME’s Office, and Elk Mound Fire.

Names will be not be released at this time pending notification of family.

Sheriff Kevin Bygd

25-1491 Fatal Structure Fire.pdf

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Multiple Motor Vehicle Thefts

DATE OF RELEASE: October 15th, 2025

INCIDENT #: D25-01482

SUBJECT: Motor vehicle thefts

AUTHORIZED BY: Sheriff Kevin Bygd

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On October 13th, 2025at 11:00 a.m. the Colfax Police Department assisted by the Sheriff’s Office was requested to check an address in the Village of Colfax for a vehicle stolen from Bloomer that was showing a GPS location in the village. The vehicle was located unoccupied. A search of the area located no suspects.

On October 14th, 20025 at approximately 10:27 a.m. a vehicle was reported as stolen from a business in Colfax to the Colfax Police Department. Shortly thereafter a Dunn County Deputy reviewed his in-car camera records and observed the vehicle on CTH M at 10:07 a.m., before it had been reported stolen. A picture of the vehicle was shared with other deputies. At 11:04 a.m. a Dunn County Deputy observed the stolen vehicle on 670th Street just off STH 170 in the Township of Tainter. The deputy followed the vehicle until additional deputies could respond. At 11:13 a.m. a traffic stop was conducted, and the operator of the vehicle was taken into custody without incident. The operator, identified as Christopher P. Barr, 31 of Colorado, was linked to the stolen vehicle from Bloomer.

It was also discovered that he had broken into the Synergy Gas Station and a camper in Colfax the previous evening.

Chriostopher Barr has been charged in Dunn County with:

• WI SS 943.23(2) Take and drive vehicle without consent

• WI SS 943.10(1m)(a) Burglary

Sheriff Kevin Bygd

Press release D25-01482.pdf

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Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest for 5th Offense OWI Near School Zone in Elk Mound

ELK MOUND, WI – April 8, 2025 – 8:23 A.M. – A Dunn County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop in the Village of Elk Mound near the intersection of Highway 12 and Juniper Street. The driver, who claimed he had traveled to Elk Mound to purchase laundry detergent, was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol.

Deputies administered field sobriety tests and continued their investigation, ultimately leading to later preliminary breath test (PBT) result of 0.234 BrAC. The driver was found to be restricted to a .02 BAC limit and required to operate a vehicle only with an ignition interlock device due to prior offenses.

The driver was identified as Brian Matthew Brunner, age 55, of Menomonie, WI. He was arrested and booked into the Dunn County Jail, pending a bond hearing scheduled for April 9, 2025. The following charges will be referred to the Dunn County District Attorney’s Office:

 WI SS 346.63(1)(a) – Operating While Under the Influence (5th Offense)

 WI SS 347.413(1) – Operating a Vehicle Without Required Ignition Interlock Device

 WI SS 343.44(1)(b) – Operating After License Revocation

The location of the traffic stop was in close proximity to school bus routes and within a few blocks of local schools—areas frequently traveled by our community’s youth. This incident serves as a sobering reminder that impaired driving can occur at any time and underscores the ongoing importance of highway safety and enforcement efforts to protect all members of our community.

Sheriff Kevin Bygd

D25-00497 5th Offense OWI Near School Zone - Elk Mound.pdf

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