Thousands Gather in Chippewa Falls to Honor Wisconsin State Trooper Bradley Ritger After Fatal Fall During Dunn County Chase Response and Visitation
CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI — Hundreds of law enforcement officers from across the country gathered in Chippewa Falls to honor Wisconsin State Trooper Bradley Ritger, who died after injuries from a fall while responding to a high-speed chase. Ritger was 29.
His visitation drew a large crowd at Chippewa Valley Bible Church, where flowers were placed on a state patrol car and his badge number, hat and age were displayed in tribute. The outpouring of support reflected the scale of the loss for Wisconsin State Patrol and agencies far beyond the state.
Ritger leaves behind a wife and two daughters. Wisconsin Concerns of Police Survivors is helping support the family as officers and supporters continue to arrive through Saturday.
Fall on Interstate 94 came during attempt to stop fleeing vehicle
Ritger was hurt on Sept. 21 while troopers were trying to stop a car during a chase on Interstate 94 in Dunn County. Officials said he had deployed a tire deflation device before trying to get back to a safe position.
During that effort, he fell from a bridge. He later died last week from those injuries.
The incident turned a routine enforcement effort into a tragedy that now has drawn mourners from multiple states. Law enforcement agencies have framed the gathering not only as a memorial, but also as a sign of solidarity for a fallen colleague.
Tribute at Chippewa Valley Bible Church drew flowers and blue uniforms
The visitation was held from 3 to 8 p.m. at Chippewa Valley Bible Church, where the atmosphere mixed formal honors with visible grief. Dozens of flowers rested on top of a patrol car set aside for the tribute.
Observers could also see Ritger’s badge number and hat as part of the display. Those details underscored the age of the officer being remembered, a point that many mourners found especially painful.
The scene brought together coworkers, family supporters and members of the public who wanted to pay their respects. The size of the turnout suggested that Ritger’s death resonated well beyond the immediate circle of the Wisconsin State Patrol.
Officers traveled from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio and California
Organizers expected thousands of law enforcement members to come through Saturday, with visitors traveling from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio and as far away as California. The broad reach of the turnout showed how widely Ritger’s death was felt among officers.
Morgan Robbins of the Indiana State Police said law enforcement often gets unfairly judged, but officers still would attend a memorial like this for anyone in their community. He said the profession comes together when grief hits, no matter the agency or state.
Robbins added that people who meet at one memorial may later cross paths again in another painful setting. His remarks captured the shared risk and mutual support that often define police and trooper communities.
Colleagues remember a father, friend and public servant
Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Chaffee of the Wisconsin State Patrol said Ritger was known for who he was outside his uniform. Chaffee described him as a loving father, a dedicated friend and someone committed to public service.
The comments reflected a central theme of the gathering: mourners were not only honoring an officer, but also the person behind the badge. For many who came to Chippewa Falls, that meant remembering a husband, father and colleague whose absence will be felt at home and on duty.
One officer became emotional while speaking about the mission ahead. Chaffee said the priority now is to wrap the family in support and make sure they are loved.
Support group prepares for the long period after the memorial
Wisconsin Concerns of Police Survivors is assisting Ritger’s family as the memorial period continues. JoAnn Mignon, the group’s president, said the hardest part often comes weeks later, after public ceremonies end and daily life resumes for everyone else.
She said families do not return to normal after a death like this, even when the public focus fades. That long tail of grief is part of what her organization addresses for survivors left behind after line-of-duty deaths.
For the many officers gathered in Chippewa Falls, the tribute was both immediate and forward-looking. It honored Ritger’s service now, while also recognizing the sustained care his wife and two daughters will need in the months ahead.
