Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Bradley Ritger died on October 2, 2026. He succumbed to injuries sustained when he fell from an Interstate 94 bridge in Dunn County while responding to a high-speed vehicle pursuit. He was 29 years old.
The incident occurred during the early morning hours of September 21, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Wisconsin State Patrol. Trooper Ritger was responding to a traffic pursuit involving a vehicle that had been speeding and driving recklessly. He deployed a tire deflation device on a bridge deck over 490th Avenue, located west of the Dunn County and Eau Claire County line.
As Ritger moved to a position of cover after setting the spikes, he fell from the bridge onto the roadway below. The fleeing vehicle struck the deflation device and eventually came to rest in a ditch in Dunn County, where the driver was arrested.
Medical Response and Investigation Details
First responders administered immediate life-saving measures at the scene, including CPR. They then transported Ritger to a nearby medical facility. He remained hospitalized under critical care for nearly two weeks before passing away on October 2.
Court records and investigative details show that the pursuit began after an Illinois state trooper reported a vehicle fleeing in Boone County, Illinois, around 2 a.m. on September 21. A Wisconsin trooper later spotted the vehicle traveling at 76 mph in a 60 mph construction zone on Interstate 94 in Eau Claire County, which triggered the high-speed chase.
Authorities identified the driver as 47-year-old Martell Nicole Tolbert Mitchell of Minneapolis. Online court records indicate she faces multiple charges, including attempting to flee or elude an officer, possession with intent to deliver, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, and felony bail jumping.
Career and Tributes
Trooper Ritger was a nearly five-year veteran of the Wisconsin State Patrol. He joined as a member of the 67th Recruit Class. Assigned to the Northwest Region, he primarily served in Dunn County. Throughout his career, he earned several professional certifications. These included general law enforcement instructor, mobile field force team member, squad leader, and salvage vehicle inspector. Before joining the State Patrol, Ritger served for nearly three years with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
The entire law enforcement community mourns the loss of a brave and dedicated colleague. His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten and while he may not be with us, his legacy will forever be embodied by those who, like him, go to work often placing service above self. – Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers also released a statement expressing profound sorrow over the tragic loss of the young trooper. He highlighted Ritger’s lifelong commitment to public service.
The Wisconsin State Patrol established a law enforcement memorial vehicle at its Northwest Region Post in Eau Claire. Members of the public can leave cards, flowers, and other expressions of condolence there. State officials announced that an executive order will lower U.S. and Wisconsin flags to honor Trooper Ritger once official funeral arrangements are finalized.
