Columbia County Inmate Dies After Arrest; Independent Investigation Underway
A 56-year-old man from the Beaver Dam area died in custody at the Columbia County Jail in Portage, Wisconsin, following his arrest on suspicion of operating while impaired. The incident began on August 13 when a Columbia County sheriff's deputy assisted a Columbus police officer during a traffic stop, where the man was suspected of impairment and found with controlled substances. He was uncooperative and aggressive, complaining of overheating, and was transported to a local hospital for medical clearance. After being medically cleared, he was taken to the Columbia County Jail, where he remained uncooperative. He was placed in an inmate safety restraint chair and fitted with a spit hood. Jail staff conducted frequent checks, and medical personnel visited his cell at approximately 8:00 a.m. on August 14. At 8:14 a.m., a deputy found him unresponsive, and he was pronounced dead after unsuccessful lifesaving measures. The Sauk County Sheriff's Office is conducting an independent investigation into the death. 
