Waldemar "Walt" Madsen III and Robert "Bob" Hawn. Submitted photos.
My Price County asked the two Price County sheriff candidates, Robert "Bob" Hawn and Waldemar "Walt" Madsen III, twelve question sets focusing on each one's background and qualifications; the “good old boys” culture and trust; complaint handling and accountability; transparency with the public and media; social media use; drug issues; domestic violence, property crime, and repeat offenders; constitutional rights; top influences; and the changes each would make if elected as sheriff.
We asked each candidate to reply in 150 words or less to each question. However, if they had more to say on one question set than another, they could go over the word count for that question but must have no more than 1,800 total words for all twelve question sets. They were each given the same time frame to answer the questions. We asked them to speak of themselves and not the other candidate. Members of the community gave us suggestions for questions, and we did our best to get each type of question answered. For each candidate, we fixed a few obvious, small issues with grammar/spelling typos (for clarity for our readers) but otherwise left their answers untouched.
ROBERT "BOB" HAWN
Submitted photo.
Tell us about yourself, including your family, education, connection to Price County, and the qualities that make you qualified to serve as sheriff.
My name is Robert Hawn and I am currently the Chief Deputy for the Price County Sheriff’s Office. I grew up in Butternut, Wisconsin. I graduated from Butternut High School in 2003. While still in high school, I enlisted in an infantry unit of the Wisconsin Army National Guard. In 2004, I was deployed to Forward Operating Base Mackenzie near Samarra, Iraq.
I returned from deployment in 2005 and attended college at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. I earned an Associates Degree in criminal justice and completed the law enforcement recruit academy in 2008.
While attending college, I met my best friend and future wife, Valerie Thompson. In 2008, Valerie and I returned to Park Falls and I was hired as a patrol officer for the City of Park Falls. In 2009, I was deployed to Iraq for a second time. I then returned home and continued my career with the Park Falls Police Department. Valerie and I were married in 2011 and we were blessed with two amazing boys, Spencer and Graysen.
In 2015, I was hired by the Price County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy. In 2016, I was hired as an Investigator for the Sheriff’s Office. In 2022, I was hired as the Chief Deputy and appointed Undersheriff for the Sheriff’s Office. A position I still hold today.
I am qualified to serve as Sheriff as I am the only candidate in this election who is a certified law enforcement officer in the State of Wisconsin. My honesty, integrity, and hard work ethic have been and will continue to be the foundation of my career.
I am also the only candidate in this election who has experience in patrol operations, conducting complex criminal investigations up to and including homicide investigations, managing the budget of the Sheriff’s Office responsibly, managing the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office, managing personnel, identifying and addressing the risk/liabilities that surround law enforcement, and addressing citizens questions and concerns.
Some people feel a "good old boys" system is implemented in Price County, including in the sheriff's office. What are your thoughts on that? If it does not exist, how will you change that view? If it does exist, how will you try to end it?
I do not believe a “good old boys” system exists in Price County. During my career, I have conducted investigations, served search warrants, and arrested doctors, attorneys, public officials, business owners, professional athletes, and even law enforcement officers. All of this was done with the support of the administration within the Sheriff’s Office and Price County government as a whole. The mentality has always been, “it does not matter what your perceived status in society is, the law is applicable to everyone.”
During my time in the administrative role of the Sheriff’s Office, hirings and promotions have been based upon an individual’s merit not favoritisms. On the other hand, I have conducted inquiries and investigations involving Sheriff’s Office personnel that led to discipline and/or termination even though I considered these employees my friends.
How will you build trust with people who do not normally trust law enforcement?
I hope to build trust with those who do not trust law enforcement by having a willingness to meet with those individuals and have open and honest conversations with them. I am aware actions speak louder than words. If I tell you I will do something, I will do it. If I am wrong or make a mistake, I will own up to it and learn from it.
If a complaint is made about a deputy, how will you handle the complaint, the investigation, and any discipline that may follow? How will you make sure deputies are held accountable for misconduct?
If a complaint is filed against an employee, there is a strict, policy driven process that has to be followed. This process is also consistent with Wisconsin State Statute. Once the proper complaint is received, an inquiry or investigation will be completed. If that inquiry or investigation finds the employee made a simple mistake or human error, the issue(s) will be addressed with the employee and remedial training may be implemented to prevent the mistake from occurring again. This may also cause changes to our office policy and procedures to ensure the Sheriff’s Office is providing the best possible service for all citizens of Price County. If the inquiry or investigation shows the employee acted with malicious intent or lied, discipline up to and including termination will occur.
What are the top three changes you would make in the sheriff’s office?
The top three changes I will make as Sheriff are not necessarily changes, but goals. My first goal is to provide a high level, professional law enforcement service to the citizens of Price County using the latest technology and proactive strategies, while being fiscally responsible with the citizens' tax dollars. My second goal is to improve mental health options and resources to Price County Sheriff’s Office employees. My third goal is to develop creative options that promote the recruitment and retention of employees.
How will you approach searches, seizures, and individual rights?
I will approach searches, seizures, and individual rights as I always have during my 18-year career in law enforcement and that is by following the Constitution of the United States, case law, State Statute, and the policies and procedures of the Price County Sheriff’s Office.
Will you talk with the media? Other counties generally give more press releases for more things, sooner, and with more information, plus they give follow-up information after the initial press release. Also, when My Price County / My Northern Wisconsin contacts the sheriff (via email or phone) with our questions or questions directly from citizens, (such as concerns about the Hwy. 13 and Hwy. 111/Little Chicago Road intersection and accidents, for example), they go unanswered in this county, but other county's sheriffs provide answers. Will you be willing to talk with the media about things you can answer to improve transparency with the public? How will you do so?
I do intend on speaking with the media when I become Sheriff. The extent of details in a press release and any additional follow up releases will be looked at on a case-by-case basis. The Sheriff is responsible for providing information regarding risks to public safety while still protecting the integrity of the investigation and ensuring that any potential jury is not tainted due to the details released. This also includes protecting the privacy and wishes of the victims in those cases. I don’t necessarily care what Sheriffs in other counties are releasing in their press releases. The Sheriff of Price County is only responsible for the constituents in Price County and what is in the best interests of the Price County Sheriff’s Office and the Price County court system.
A lot of people in Price County use Facebook. Will you use Facebook as a tool to understand the concerns of people in Price County and search for tips that may help law enforcement solve crimes, including crimes from long ago? How do you feel about officers making comments on Facebook against citizens when citizens post their concerns about things that are allegedly happening to them?
I am not one of those people who uses Facebook. This election has already shown that Facebook makes it very easy for people to spread negativity, lies, and misinformation without recourse. That being said, I do see how certain Facebook pages, such as the Price County Humane Officer’s page and the Price County K9’s page(s) are beneficial by being able to immediately release accurate information to the public. As Sheriff, I will not have my own Facebook page as I do not believe a Sheriff belongs hiding behind a keyboard. A Sheriff should be out among and interacting with their constituents.
In respect to employees making comments on Facebook, as long as the Facebook use is not occurring while the employee is on duty and those comments do not violate State Statute, I will not prohibit employees from expressing their thoughts or beliefs. Just because a person wears a badge, does not mean they forego their 1st Amendment right of Freedom of Speech; the same constitutional right that protects and allows press such as this to exist.
Residents are concerned about drug use in the county. How would you address Delta-8, synthetic marijuana products, marijuana, and other substance abuse problems in a way that improves safety and supports recovery? How do you feel about Delta-8, synthetics, and marijuana?
I would address Delta 8 as I always have since Price County created an ordinance prohibiting its sale/possession and that is by enforcing that ordinance. Synthetic marijuana and marijuana are prohibited by State Statute and local ordinance. Therefore, those statutes and ordinances will be enforced. The Sheriff’s Office is unique in the fact that the Sheriff is responsible for enforcing laws prohibiting drugs, but I believe the Sheriff also has a responsibility in providing recovery options in the Price County Jail. I will continue to allow recovery resources such as AA, NA, and any other programs potentially beneficial in the recovery process to be available to inmates in the Price County Jail.
I firmly believe that a law enforcement officer’s personal feeling about drugs or any other law does not matter. Law enforcement officers are expected to enforce local and state laws as they are written and/or by the interpretations provided by the Courts, not the officer’s personal feelings.
How would you handle domestic violence, property crimes, drug activity, and repeat offenders?
I will ensure that cases of domestic violence, property crimes, and drug activity are addressed by maintaining the expectation that deputies will conduct proactive patrols and complete thorough investigations all while treating victims with empathy and offenders with respect.
Who were your top influences for how you will be as a sheriff, and how did those people influence you?
Thomas Hawn, my uncle, is a retired law enforcement officer. When I was 5 years old, I saw my Uncle Tom wearing his uniform and driving his squad car. Thomas carried himself with such great pride. One day, Uncle Tom allowed me to wear his uniform, sit in his squad car, and even put the handcuffs on my brother. From that moment on, I knew what my career was going to be. Still, to this day, if I have a bad day at work, I know Uncle Tom is there for me to use as a sounding board.
Retired Chief of Police Jerry Ernst taught me what it means to be an investigator. Chief Ernst taught me the importance of being proactive, patient, and thorough in my investigations while not being afraid of trying different, “outside the box” strategies in my investigations.
Sheriff Brian Schmidt has shown, by example, what it means to be a leader. Sheriff Schmidt taught me the importance of truly knowing who your employees are on a personal level and caring for them as if they were family.
How will you make Price County better?
I did not answer this in order to keep my response under 1500 words.
Total Word Count: 1,491 of 1,800
WALDEMAR "WALT" MADSEN III
Submitted photo.
Tell us about yourself, including your family, education, connection to Price County, and the qualities that make you qualified to serve as sheriff.
My name is Waldemar Madsen, I've lived in Price County for 10 years. I have 4 children, 2 of them are adults and live out of state and 2 are children that live here. I'm am Army Combat Veteran and served as a military police officer, during that time I did regular patrol duties. Then when opportunities presented themselves I took them. I became part of a PSD Team while in Iraq OIF 5 for BG James Huggins. I then went to K9 school when I got back and did that for awhile. When I was asked to do animal control I took up that job 'til I got out of the Army.
Some people feel a "good old boys" system is implemented in Price County, including in the sheriff's office. What are your thoughts on that? If it does not exist, how will you change that view? If it does exist, how will you try to end it?
It definitely exists and it's not how will I end it but it's how the people will end it by voting for me. I am the end to those days. We will all be treated equally in this county no matter how much money people have. Status shouldn't be something you can hide behind.
How will you build trust with people who do not normally trust law enforcement?
I'm going to take an active role in the communities and school systems to ensure safety, kindness, and fairness to all citizens and upholding the rights of the people. Also making sure proper investigations are done so innocent people aren't getting in trouble when they shouldn't be.
If a complaint is made about a deputy, how will you handle the complaint, the investigation, and any discipline that may follow? How will you make sure deputies are held accountable for misconduct?
If a complaint comes in verbally or written, I will look into it right away and not make the people wait for an answer. If it comes in verbally I'll look at how the investigation was done and read the police reports to see if they were written correctly and with NO made up parts like officers have done. If I find one of my deputies has done something to a citizen, I can promise the correct actions are taken and an apology from my office and written from the deputy will happen.
What are the top three changes you would make in the sheriff’s office?
I will end what I believe are predatory behaviors, and I will uphold the rights of the people, unlike our current sheriff promised when I was on the county board. I also would like to open the door to more veterans in our county by deputizing willing veterans to be part of special units, SWAT, Drug Task Force, and Search and Rescue. I love our veterans and I want to give them their purpose back. I'd also like to take an active role in our schools to end bullying. I've talked to parents and they tell me bullying is out of control and I can make sure our students are safe and their rights are also upheld.
How will you approach searches, seizures, and individual rights?
I will never enforce unconstitutional laws ever. I have had my rights violated by this sheriff's office and as a veteran it was a slap in the face to not have my rights upheld by the people that are sworn to uphold them, that oath isn't an option and never expires. The way current searches are done is wrong, we will not go off hearsay, violate someone's privacy, and we WILL HAVE PROBABLE CAUSE OR PLAIN VIEW. Evidence is what we need to do a search and that's how its going to happen and we will have warrants, and not tell people if they cooperate, they won't be arrested. Nobody should have to cooperate under duress.
Will you talk with the media? Other counties generally give more press releases for more things, sooner, and with more information, plus they give follow-up information after the initial press release. Also, when My Price County / My Northern Wisconsin contacts the sheriff (via email or phone) with our questions or questions directly from citizens, (such as concerns about the Hwy. 13 and Hwy. 111/Little Chicago Road intersection and accidents, for example), they go unanswered in this county, but other county's sheriffs provide answers. Will you be willing to talk with the media about things you can answer to improve transparency with the public? How will you do so?
I will always communicate with the press and give answers as fast as I can. The public has every right to know what's going on in our county and I will make it easier than it is now to get open records requests. I will always be available to the press and public starting now, 715-780-0744 is my phone number, I have an open door policy for the people.
A lot of people in Price County use Facebook. Will you use Facebook as a tool to understand the concerns of people in Price County and search for tips that may help law enforcement solve crimes, including crimes from long ago? How do you feel about officers making comments on Facebook against citizens when citizens post their concerns about things that are allegedly happening to them?
I'm going to create a policy that keeps officers off of Facebook for official reasons, they will be able to for personal though. As sheriff I think we can utilize Facebook for tips and evidence collection for crimes, but we will NOT be participating in the public drama.
Residents are concerned about drug use in the county. How would you address Delta-8, synthetic marijuana products, marijuana, and other substance abuse problems in a way that improves safety and supports recovery? How do you feel about Delta-8, synthetics, and marijuana?
I will never be a fan of synthetic drugs at all or any of the hard drugs and will go after them in a very different fashion, I want them gone and will make life very uncomfortable for people selling or manufacturing. However, I'm not against actual marijuana and think it needs to be decriminalized. The bottom line is its not worse than alcohol and could be a great tax revenue for our state and county or even a way to cut taxes, like property taxes.
How would you handle domestic violence, property crimes, drug activity, and repeat offenders?
I don't like domestic violence at all, but we need to have an understanding it comes from both men and women. As a man I know its my job to protect my loved ones, and that means if someone commits acts of domestic violence in this county, I want them to do jail time, not probation. As for property crimes that's going to have to be dealt with case by case basis, but I can ensure fairness every time. Repeat offenders are a huge problem in this county and I feel if people don't want to stop committing crimes they should go to jail instead of continuing the fines and probation routine the county has now.
Who were your top influences for how you will be as a sheriff, and how did those people influence you?
My Mom and Dad are great influences for the kind of sheriff I'm going to be. My mother for her compassion, fairness, and integrity, and my father for his toughness and willingness to stand up for people, along with his motivation to always get the job done. He was also a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. They have both passed and I want to make them proud even now. SFC Matthew Love, he was my leader in Iraq in 2007 during OIF 5 and he instilled in me the Army Values that I follow to this day and will to the day I die and I hope that the deputies under me will follow those same values, cause you don't have to be in the military to have them. My kids are also who inspire me cause I want to make Price County a safe place for them and any other child in this county and be a positive example to them also.
How will you make Price County better?
I'd like to rebuild the relationship between the people and law enforcement, that's where it starts and knowing our rights will be upheld.
Total Word Count: 1,044 of 1,800
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A 48-minutes-long Independence Day parade was held on Lake Avenue in Phillips on Saturday, July 4, 2026, with great participation by area residents and businesses and a large crowd in attendance. My Price County tried to capture every float in the video. That evening, country artist, Adam Calvert, was on stage in Elk Lake Park, which was followed by an amazing approximately 30-minutes-long non-stop fireworks show by Palas Pyro LLC. (Show your support; follow the Palas Pyro page on Facebook.). Vehicles driving by stopped when they saw the fireworks and lined the highway. At the end of the show, the thousands of people in the park cheered and the cars on the highway honked with appreciation for a wonderful display of fireworks. People commented on Facebook that it was the best show they ever watched in Phillips. Our camera wasn't in "fireworks mode" at the end, so the sample we shared in the video was not as magnificent as it looked in person.
"After careful thought and consideration, Aspirus Health has made the decision to consolidate the operations of Aspirus Prentice Clinic and Aspirus Phillips Clinic at the end of July in a move designed to focus resources where they can have the greatest positive impact in meeting the evolving needs of our communities," Aspirus Health announced on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
Patients currently being served in Prentice will be transitioned, with clinicians and staff, to the Phillips location. The Phillips location will then offer services five days per week and provide access to additional imaging services, which were not previously available in Prentice.
“We will work closely with patients to ensure a smooth transition as needed to support continuity of care,” said Mark Randell, vice president-primary care, Aspirus Medical Group. “Our care teams will be transiting to the Phillips Clinic, and it’s important to note that Aspirus Therapy-Prentice is not impacted by this decision and will continue operating at its current location.”
Aspirus Health noted that heath systems need to be foresightful and responsible stewards of their resources which can be challenging in today's environment.
“Our commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality care remains unchanged,” said Randell. “Physician shortages are one of the most significant challenges facing rural health care, and we will continue to adapt to meet the evolving needs of our patients and communities.”
The Price County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing man at approximately 4:31 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026. He was believed to be on Worcester Lake in the Town of Hackett.
Authorities from multiple agencies searched the lake. The man, a 67-year-old from Prentice, was located and pronounced deceased. The name of the man is being withheld at this time.
The Price County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Prentice Fire Department, Prentice EMS, Pike Lake Fire Department, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Price County Coroner’s Office, and neighboring citizens.
On the evening of Saturday, June 27, 2026, two Lac du Flambeau tribal members were found deceased.
A caller told the Vilas County Dispatch Center that two people were believed to be deceased at a residence.
The Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department, (LDFPD), responded to the residence. Officers were told a man was lying on the garage floor. He, Gilbert "Barney" Chapman, was clearly deceased. Officers were told a woman was in the living room. She, Natalie Poupart, had no pulse and was not breathing. Officers attempted CPR on Natalie but ultimately were not successful.
Additional LDFPD officers and investigators came to assist at the scene. Vilas County Sheriff Gerry Ritter and Vilas County investigators arrived to assess and process the scene, including locating and collecting evidence.
In an effort to determine the causes of death, autopsies will be performed.
The Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department stated they are "aware that rumors are circulating throughout the community, as bewildered and grief-stricken family members and friends struggle to process this tragic situation. While the causes of death are unknown at this point, there is no indication that either victim sustained any sort of physical injury, nor is there any indication that there is any threat to the community. The investigation into the deaths of Barney and Natalie is ongoing, and everything possible is being done to provide to the victims’ family members the answers that they need and deserve. We ask that everyone keep the family of Barney and Natalie in their thoughts and prayers at this sad time."
The Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department, Lac du Flambeau Tribal Victim Services Director, the Vilas County Sheriff’s Department, Vilas County Dispatch Center, Lac du Flambeau EMS, Oneida County Med 5, and the Vilas County Medical Examiner assisted.
New signage at the sheriff's office and courthouse
At the courthouse, the updates include painting the hallways, LED lighting, and new signage, including outdoor signs, plus interior hanging signs and room numbers. Some offices are receiving new paint as painting is completed every eight to ten years. The Register of Deeds office will have some construction taking place near the front desk.
In the future, the courthouse electrical panel, which feeds electricity to the entire courthouse, will need to be replaced. There was a failure in one of the buckets used in the main electrical panel. Due to its age, no more buckets are being made. The county purchased the only remaining part they could find. The switch panel will be purchased with capital improvement funding in the 2027 budget.
CITY OF PHILLIPS
Hanging flowerpots were installed downtown on Lake Avenue.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) installed hanging baskets on the light posts in Phillips in early June 2026. The DPW is watering the baskets with a rechargeable, long-reach watering device. The large pots that displayed flowers on the sidewalks will no longer fit on the sidewalks due to the new terrace and width of pavement decreasing. The pots have left the City of Phillips and are in other areas of the community. At least three of the large pots can be seen in Lugerville in the Town of Flambeau.
One of the large pots that used to be on the sidewalk in the City of Phillips is now by the town hall in the Town of Flambeau.
The clock pocket park was swept, and the flowerpots were planted, in early June by the Power of 3 Community Development Group. Birchland Realty waters the flowers throughout the summer.
The Prentice School District announced the honor roll and perfect attendance for the fourth quarter. My Price County is also publishing the third quarter honor roll and perfect attendance in this article, showcasing the achievements from 2026.
Prentice School District Honor Roll: 2025-2026 Third Quarter
Highest Honors (3.800-4.000)
Grade 5: Fallon Blomberg, Brayan Bogdan, Paisley Carlson, Blair Heikkinen, Omar Kladanjcic, Brian Parish, Emma Schwartz, Kendrick Wear
Grade 12: Jaxson Franz, Kayla Gillett, Blake Griebel, Clint Hale, Rhys Harris, Aidan Hause, Justin Hoffman, Jackson Isaacson, Travis Macholl, Grady May, Nicholas Nikkila, Jordan Przybylski, Taylor Slattery, Zachary Starkey
Prentice School District Honor Roll, 2025-2026 Fourth Quarter
Highest Honors (3.800-4.000)
Grade 5: Fallon Blomberg, Brayan Bogdan, Paisley Carlson, Blair Heikkinen, Omar Kladanjcic, Brian Parish, Emma Schwartz, Kendrick Wear
Grade 11: Tristan Dettmering, Cooper Fifield, Deverick Hartmann, Max Karutz, Chase Mabie, Gavin Polansky, Korbin Thums
Grade 12: Emma Davis, Jaxson Franz, Blake Griebel, Clint Hale, Aidan Hause, Justin Hoffman, Jackson Isaacson, Mia Lush, Grady May, Nicholas Nikkila, Jordan Przybylski, Taylor Slattery
Perfect Attendance, 2025-2026 Third Quarter
4K: None
Kindergarten: Lennon Blomberg, Tucker Nikkila, Ava Schwartz, Aylah Walcisak
At approximately 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, a single vehicle crash was reported via a 911 call. The crash occurred on State Highway 13, north of White Rock Road in the Township of Fifield.
A 42-year-old female was the only occupant of the vehicle and was pronounced deceased at the crash site. The woman's name is not being released at this time.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
The Price County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Park Falls Police Department, Fifield First Responders, Fifield Fire Department, Park Falls Fire Department, Park Falls Ambulance Service, and the Price County Coroner’s Office.
Sheriff's offices in Ashland and Iron County published press releases regarding a man who was wanted in several counties for burglary. It was determined his name is Toby Mullins and that he is 50 years old and resides in Rib Lake in Taylor County.
Toby was wanted for questioning involving the breaking and entering of a cabin on Pine Lake. He was suspected in multiple burglaries in Ashland, Iron, Price, Sawyer, Taylor, and Winnebago Counties. It was believed he was targeting remote cabins in National Forest areas. He has prior convictions for such crimes, as well as crimes of resisting/obstructing and substantial battery.
On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at approximately 12:15 p.m., a deputy in Fond du Lac County was on patrol and observed a man riding a bicycle southbound on Lakeshore Drive in the Town of Friendship. The man matched the description of Toby, and the deputy realized that. He attempted to make contact with the suspect, but Toby fled southbound on his bicycle along Lakeshore Drive. He then abandoned his bicycle and continued on foot onto private property, where the deputy temporarily lost sight of the suspect.
According to the Fond du Lac Sheriff's Office, "Additional deputies, Wisconsin State Patrol troopers, and City of Fond du Lac police officers responded to the area and established a perimeter to assist in locating and apprehending the suspect. A sheriff's office sergeant and K-9 partner were deployed to conduct a track. With the assistance of an unmanned aerial system (drone) providing aerial overwatch and following an approximately 200-yard K-9 track through a dense marsh, law enforcement personnel located the suspect and took him into custody without further incident.
"The suspect was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for medical clearance and will subsequently be transported to the Fond du Lac County Jail."
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Wisconsin State Patrol, City of Fond du Lac Police Department, Van Dyne 1st Responders, and North Fond du Lac Ambulance.
Note: Much of the last day of Shelly's life, and the weeks prior to and after her disappearance, was learned and speculatively pieced together from interviews conducted by My Price County and Wisconsin Watch and an affidavit from a 2008 search warrant obtained by Wisconsin Watch. Wisconsin Watch reached out to My Price County a number of years ago about this case, and we provided some information and assistance. Wisconsin Watch did investigative work to search for a possible suspect, which was shared with My Price County, while My Price County's goal has always been to assist in getting information to locate Shelly's remains for the sake of her family. We are all part of a small community, and My Price County takes that fact into consideration when publishing news. If the police issue a current press release with a current suspect's information, per our policy, we will publish that information, but we have not named a suspect directly in My Price County's article as the police have not issued a statement about any current suspects.
WHERE IS SHELLY HANSEN?
Marchelle "Shelly" Hansen likely woke up on the morning of Thursday, November 12, 1987, and readied herself for her doctor's appointment. The 23-year-old knew she was pregnant, confirmed by Dr. Dahlie six days prior, and she had an ultrasound scheduled later that day. Though she had financial concerns, she was excited for the birth of her baby, which she knew would be born sometime in July 1988. She had already told her mother, Joyce, about the pregnancy, hoping for the emotional support of her family.
Along with other likely tasks of the day, Shelly met with Dr. Dahlie for an obstetrical ultrasound at Flambeau Hospital at approximately 12:15 in the afternoon, according to information in an affidavit obtained by Wisconsin Watch. Five ultrasound photographs were taken.
At some point during the day, Shelly called her mother and allegedly told her the name of the baby's father. Shelly went to the laundromat, where she saw a woman named Kathy, according to a Wisconsin Watch interview. While doing laundry, she showed Kathy the ultrasound photos and stated she planned to "confront" the unnamed father later. Shelly seemed in a hurry and took her damp clothes with her, stating she would air dry them at her apartment. Perhaps on this same day, or just a few days prior, Alice Valiga, who My Price County interviewed, remembers seeing Shelly outside the "dime store" as Alice was leaving the bank. She said Shelly briefly spoke with her, stating she bought two bibs and something else for the baby. Also on this day, or just a few days prior, Shelly visited friends and family at Phillips Plating, and she spoke of her pregnancy. Without a doubt, Shelly was excited about this baby.
Just before 3 p.m., which is when Shelly's shift at Marquip started, a co-worker, Tina, remembers Shelly telling her she was pregnant and showing her an ultrasound image. When asked who the father was, Shelly would not say specifically but talked about not wanting to get him in trouble, because he was a married man with two small children. She also shared that he was a foreman at Marquip, which would narrow the potential father possibilities significantly. To add to that, her prior relationship was with a man named Gary, who she had alleged was harassing her and who did work at Marquip, but he was not a foreman, not married, and did not have any children at that time.
That same evening, another Marquip employee, Cindy, told Wisconsin Watch that she saw Shelly in an intense conversation with a foreman, who was pacing during the interaction.
While Shelly's normal shift was from 3 to 11 p.m., it was reported by police that she was seen leaving work at about 8 p.m. that evening. Somewhere between 10 and 11 p.m., she was seen at the Tasmanian Devil bar by a city police officer named Leonard Shilts. The Tasmanian Devil is a bar where some of the Marquip employees would drink beer and play darts after work, including Shelly and her foreman. While it is unknown why Leonard Shilts did not share this information with investigating officers in 1987, he did share it with authorities on August 27, 2003, 16 years later. Shilts stated that while "making rounds" that evening, he went into the bar, and Shelly told him that she would be going away from her residence for a time so she would like him to watch her apartment, which was Apartment 4 at Starlite Apartments. The officer stated he drove past the apartment complex at about 2 or 3 in the morning, and he observed the truck of a Marquip foreman at Shelly's apartment. He also saw a light-colored car near Shelly's apartment, which likely belonged to Shelly's neighbor. Shelly's red Dodge Omni was not noted as being seen in the parking lot.
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Shelly's neighbor, Barb, spoke to Investigator Christopher Jarosinski in 2005 and 2007. Barb stated that during the week prior to Shelly's disappearance, she heard things through the thin walls of the apartments. She was woken up by violent, intense arguments with a man's voice in loud, accusatory tones and a woman's voice in calming tones. She said she also heard the man and woman engaging in sexual relations. During these times, she stated a "spruced up" pickup truck was in the parking lot.
Shelly's red car was seen at Lake Ten Resort, parked at an unusual angle, on Friday, November 13, 1987, and reported to the police on Saturday, November 14, 1987. On Tuesday, November 17, Alice Valiga, Shelly's supervisor at the grocery store where she also worked, reported that Shelly did not come to the store for her shift.
What happened to Shelly after she left the Tasmanian Devil is unknown to most people, but it is possible that someone alive today knows something, which is exactly what Sheriff Brian Schmidt told WSAW News Channel 7 in a 2024 interview, stating, "Is there someone that knows something now that time has passed who wants to come forward and at least talk about this with us?”
In 2008, when a search warrant was obtained for a suspect, the affidavit states 1st degree intentional homicide and conspiracy to commit the same are felony offenses. While the community has felt this was a homicide case for years, that is the first known police document that asserts it is a homicide investigation. When the police talked with the suspect and collected his DNA, he mentioned that more than one person could have been involved in Shelly's disappearance, but he denied any involvement.
All those clues are left in the past; present times have no answers as to "Where is Shelly Hansen?" On August 24, 2026, Shelly would be turning 62 years old if life had not been denied to her by the hands of one or more people. Had her baby been born, that person would be almost 39 years old today. But, as fate would have it, that innocent child never was born. Likely a boy, given Shelly allegedly told her mother its first or middle name would be "Michael," he never got to grow up and see the world. Shelly never got to experience motherhood or the other joys of life. By now, she could be a grandmother. Instead, she will forever be a 23-year-old woman that met a tragic fate.
14,099 days have passed since Shelly went missing. While her family can find some peace that she is now in Heaven, they have had to live 14,099 days of Hell in regard to not knowing what happened to their loved one or where her remains reside.
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According to speculation by members of the community, some think Shelly's remains may be under poured concrete. One older lady allegedly reported seeing branches and leaves in the woods near the home of who she thought was a suspect and reported that to police. According to the Hansen family, many locations have been searched, such as lakes, sand pits, dumpsites, and many leads have been followed over the years. Shelly's brother, Ron, did admit, however that "just because they search something with a dog doesn't mean that they're going to get a hit on that day; maybe the dog might have a bad day or something, but you don't know that, you're not 100% sure that she's not gonna be there, but it all depends on the dog, if he has a good day or not." When asked if they felt certain locations needed to be searched again, Shelly's sister-in-law, Wendy, said she is all for getting Shelley found in whatever way it needs to happen but also felt the Price County Sheriff's Office was keeping them updated.
Due to public interest that was generated by John Brylski, a former police officer from Outagamie County who moved to Price County around 2019 and later became a private investigator, My Price County heard information from community members and first spoke with some members of the Hansen family in late 2023. Robert "Bob" Hansen, the oldest in the family of seven, said, "I remember the day they called and told me.....The first few months we kept thinking we were going to find her." He added that hope stretched on for a few years and his mother, Joyce, hoped to have answers, but, unfortunately, Joyce passed on in 2022. At her funeral, Bob shared that people said to him, "Now your mother finally knows where Shelly is, because she is probably in Heaven." Joyce is no longer on Earth to speak about her daughter, but, in a November 12, 1998, article by the Sheboygan Press, she shared, “I light candles at the church, and when people ask me what they can do, I tell them to remember Shelly in their prayers.”
Ron and Wendy stated they have an annual meeting with the Price County Sheriff's Office to update the family on any progress. Sometimes other agencies, such as state and federal agencies like the DOJ and FBI, are also in the meetings. Wendy said, "We don't care who finds Shelly; we just want her found." In a phone call with Wendy Hansen on June 19, 2026, she reiterated, "We want her found already. It's been forty years. And, again, I'll say, we don't care who finds her; we just want her found already. We want to be able to put her to rest and let the family rest. We've really gone through a lot with this over the years. It's time."
In addition to John Brylski, Richard "Dick" Kramer is another private investigator who looked into this case. During an interview with My Price County on November 14, 2023, Dick spoke of a reward, the sheriff's office and other agencies, two families that may have or may not have asked him to look into the case, among other things. He ended the conversation by stating, "I will tell you one thing, and this is honestly, there is not a day that goes by that I do not think about her. I don't know if you've ever been part of a homicide, a family that has gone through a homicide, but it's something that never ends until it's solved." Months after that interview, in 2024, Dick Kramer passed on.
On December 7, 2023, Chief Deputy Robert "Bob" Hawn told My Price County there have been open records requests that have been denied by the Price County District Attorney, because it is an active investigation. "If those records got out," he said, "it could seriously jeopardize that investigation." When asked how much time is spent on the case annually, he answered, "We don't keep track of the number of hours that we spend on a case, so I couldn't tell you that this year we spent 86 hours on the case; I don't, I wouldn't be able to answer that. What I can tell you is that they are actively working on it." He added, "We have identified some areas where we can follow up on the case; we've identified additional evidence that we would like to have tested, especially with the advances in technology and things like that. You know, there may have been evidence that was tested in the past that, you know, we could have tested again and maybe, who knows, maybe, maybe we'll get some positive results....We're not going to stop working on it until, you know, two things happen, one, we find Shelly and two, we find out, we determine what happened to Shelly."
When My Price County told Chief Deputy Hawn that two private investigators said they gave information to the Price County Sheriff's Office and felt it wasn't followed up on, he said, "These two, uh, individuals who, I guess you could say are looking into the matter, are in no way, shape, or form involved in the Price County Sheriff's Office investigations, so their ability to say that we're not following up on their information is, I think, their own belief and opinion. Um, you know, they do not have access to our case files, so therefore, they have no idea what it is that we've done, and they have no idea what it is that we're doing." He said they look into information that anyone gives them on any case.
Chief Deputy Hawn said factual information from the public is just one more piece to the puzzle. "If they have any information that they believe could help us in locating Shelly, they need to contact us. We are always open to information from the public." When asked if there is DNA they can follow up on now that technology is better, he said, "What I will say is that we are currently working on it."
Since that December 2023 interview, My Price County sent Sheriff Schmidt a few requests for non-confidential, factual information that could be reported about the case to keep public interest and hopefully generate leads. However, Sheriff Schmidt never replied nor shared that there was an unsealed affidavit of case information available, which was discovered by Wisconsin Watch. On June 18, 2026, My Price County reached out to Chief Deputy Hawn and Sheriff Schmidt with a similar request and additional questions. Chief Deputy Hawn replied to all our questions and included a statement that Sheriff Schmidt sent to Wisconsin Watch, which read, "The disappearance of Marchelle Hanson is an active, open, and pending investigation with this office. No detailed information about the case has been or will be released from the Sheriff’s Office per our policy and court case 24-CV-91." The cited case is the Petition for Writ of Mandamus filed by John Brylski asking to release the records of the Shelly Hansen case, which was denied by the court. In regard to the unsealed affidavit, Chief Deputy Hawn stated, "I can only assume the information this news agency uncovered would be a record not maintained by the Price County Sheriff’s Office."
Chief Deputy Hawn also responded when My Price County asked if a reward was or could be put in place for significant leads or if anyone with information would be given immunity. He said, "Unfortunately, Price County does not have a reward program such as Crime Stoppers in place. I’m glad you mentioned this, though, as I can see the usefulness of a non-taxpayer-funded, community-based, non-profit organization such as Crime Stoppers USA in cases like this one. This is something I will have to explore in the future. Additionally, law enforcement does not and should never possess the authority to grant immunity to anyone. Immunity is an issue the District Attorney’s Office would have to explore and pursue." When asked if someone had credible information that Shelly may be buried on their property, would their land be restored after the search effort, he stated, "The Sheriff’s Office does generally fund the costs associated to an investigation. Therefore, if credible information, which has been corroborated, is obtained and the determination is made that a search of a particular location is warranted, the Sheriff’s Office will more than likely incur the costs sustained if land is disturbed and restoration of said land is necessary."
Since Chief Deputy Hawn is aware that My Price County's goal in researching this case has always been to find the remains of Shelly Hansen for the benefit of her family, he shared, "I believe we share a common goal, which has been the goal of this office since 2009 and that goal is to locate Ms. Hansen and to bring to justice anyone who may have been involved or is responsible for her disappearance."
If you have information that could lead to finding Shelly's remains or any other information helpful to this case, you are encouraged to do the right thing and contact the Price County Sheriff's Office at 715-339-3011. Shelly's family deserves the answers they so desperately have sought for 14,099 days and counting.
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Shop the Palas Pyro fireworks tent on the corner of Hwy. 8 and County Road A in Prentice, Wisconsin, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., every day through July 6. A portion of the proceeds supports the Phillips' Independence Day fireworks show, which will be four times as huge this year. Plus, if you mention to the salesperson that you saw this on My Price County, you will receive 10% off your fireworks purchase at the tent. Follow the Palas Pyro Facebook page at this link.
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