Officers involved in January incident cleared to work

The five law enforcement officers involved in a critical incident on River Street late last month have been authorized to resume their duties.

Rhinelander Police Chief Lloyd Gauthier confirmed Thursday that Sgt. Christie Kondzela and officer Graeme Biskobing had been cleared to return. Similarly, Oneida County sheriff Grady Hartman advised that Sgt. Thomas Williams and deputies Michael Bedish and Cole Lehman “are back to work now.”

The five responded to a call on River Street Saturday evening, Jan. 20 that included an exchange of gunfire.

Steven Kincaid, 33, died during the incident.

On Wednesday evening, the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) issued a press release identifying the officers involved in the incident and detailing their years of experience in law enforcement.

According to DCI, Williams has over 9 years law enforcement experience, Bedish has over 3.5 years and Lehman has over one year. Kondzela has over 10 years of law enforcement experience and Biskobing has over one year, according to the release.

While the officers are available to return to patrol, the investigation into the events of Jan. 20 continues, per standard protocol for officer-involved shootings.

According to DCI, the officers responded to a residence in the 1600 block of River Street in the Town of Crescent just after 8:30 p.m. Jan. 20 after a pair of hang-up 911 calls were received by the dispatch center.

Upon arrival at the residence, law enforcement determined there were two subjects inside the residence, the DCI narrative states.

“Law enforcement entered the residence where they were met with gunfire by Steven Kincaid, age 33. One of the deputies returned fire. All law enforcement retreated outside the residence, backed away, and created a perimeter. Kincaid continued to shoot at the officers from the second level of the house and gunfire was exchanged,” according to DCI. “Tactical team members from the Vilas, Oneida, Marathon, Langlade, and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Offices responded to the residence. Verbal commands were attempted without response and non-lethal tactics were deployed. Eventually the second subject came out of the residence and was evaluated by emergency medical services on scene. The tactical team entered the house and located Kincaid who was deceased. No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident.”

An independent investigation commenced immediately, per the requirements of state law. 

All of the officers involved have been fully cooperative with the investigation, which is being led by DCI with the assistance of DCI Crime Response Specialists and members of DCI’s Digital Evidence Unit, the release states.

While stressing that the investigation must take its course, and per protocol he has received very limited information, Gauthier stated he is “comfortable” with his employees’ response.

“From what I do know, from listening to the radio, being there that night, I’m comfortable with my employees’ reaction, that it was within policy, within training and within state and federal law,” he said.

For his part, Hartman said he is eager to comment on his officers’ actions that night but will wait until after the investigation is completed to speak out.

Final investigative reports will be sent to Oneida County district attorney Jillian Pfeifer for review, according to DCI.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].