La Crosse County is home to more than 121,000 people, making it the 12th largest county in Wisconsin. The county's economy is driven by manufacturing and agriculture. The county seat is the city of La Crosse, joined by other key communities, including Onalaska, Holmen, and West Salem, each adding its own unique character to the area.
La Crosse County's average violent and property crime rates are 105 and 977 per 100,000 residents, respectively. The average violent crime rate is 53% above the national average, while the property crime average is nearly 47% higher than the national average.
The primary law enforcement agency in the county is the La Crosse County Sheriff's Office (LCSO). The Office of the County Sheriff oversees the county jail and is the central public contact for law enforcement matters in the county.
The Sheriff's Office in La Crosse County is responsible for keeping arrest records, jail booking details, inmate release information, and most warrant data at the county level. While other law enforcement groups, such as municipal police, state patrol, or federal authorities, may also carry out arrests and file reports, those records are typically forwarded to the Sheriff's Office once the individual is processed into the county jail.
La Crosse County is home to several law enforcement agencies, including the county sheriff, city police departments, and federal law enforcement agencies.
The Sheriff's Office in La Crosse County serves as the primary source for arrest logs and jail rosters at the county level. It oversees:
Local police departments operating within La Crosse County, including those in Onalaska and the City of La Crosse, carry out arrests within their city boundaries. After an arrest, individuals are usually processed at the county jail, where the Sheriff's Office manages their booking and custody records.
Each local department also keeps its own arrest and incident reports for cases within its jurisdiction.
State police or the Wisconsin Highway Patrol may conduct highway stops or investigate statewide or interjurisdictional crimes. If an arrest occurs in La Crosse County, the person is often booked into the county jail, and the records may appear in county logs.
Federal agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, and Homeland Security may investigate and arrest for violations of federal laws and regulations. These offenses include terrorism, drug trafficking, immigration, and cybercrime. Note that federal arrests typically do not show up in county records unless the individual is temporarily housed in the La Crosse County jail.
Campus police departments, such as the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse police department, provide law enforcement services on campus. They focus on ensuring campus safety and security, and you can find more details about their services on their official websites or by reaching out to them directly.
Arrest records in La Crosse County usually include:
The specific details in these records can differ by agency, jurisdiction, or case type. Certain information may be restricted due to privacy rules, protections for minors, or active investigations.
Annually, La Crosse County reports about 5,924 crimes, including violent and property offenses. The average violent crime rate is 105 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. In contrast, property crimes average 977 per 100,000, which is below the national average.
The table below shows a breakdown of arrest statistics in La Crosse County:
Arrest Total | Yearly Average |
|---|---|
Arrest Rate per 100,000 | 4,360 |
Adult Arrests | 4,405 |
Juvenile Arrests | 474 |
Crime Type | |
Murder | 3 |
Rape | 54 |
Robbery | 24 |
Aggravated Assault | 145 |
Burglary | 214 |
Larceny | 2,159 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 81 |
Arson | 16 |
Source: Wisconsin Uniform Crime Reporting Data
Common Warrant Types in La Crosse County, WI
Several types of warrants may appear in public arrest records in La Crosse County. Warrants are issued by the courts for different legal reasons and may result in the arrest of an individual and their booking into the county jail. Although the terminology and procedures can vary slightly depending on state law, the following are the most common types of warrants:
An arrest warrant is issued when law enforcement or a prosecutor shows probable cause that a person committed a crime. These warrants often appear in arrest logs and can be executed by authorized officers.
A bench warrant is issued by a judge when someone fails to appear in court or comply with a court order. It is one of the most common warrant types found in county arrest records.
A civil capias warrant is issued in civil court cases when someone disobeys a court order, such as failing to appear or comply. It can lead to arrest and booking despite originating in a civil matter.
A fugitive warrant is issued when a person is wanted in another county or state. Such cases often involve extradition and will show up in county arrest logs if the person is arrested locally.
A governor's warrant is a formal warrant issued by a state governor to initiate extradition between states. While less common, it can appear in arrest or court records for interstate cases.
A search warrant authorizes law enforcement to search property or seize evidence. Searches conducted with warrants may lead to arrests and be reflected in related cases or arrest reports.
There are several ways to obtain arrest and jail records in La Crosse County. You can start by using the county's inmate search or jail roster to view current bookings and custody status. In addition, you can perform a warrant lookup through the county or sheriff's department or use the Wisconsin state court portal to find court cases associated with arrests.
Records may also be requested directly from the sheriff's office, jail, or clerk of court, either in person, by phone, or through email. If necessary, you can submit a formal public records request under Wisconsin law, though this process may require identification and payment of fees.
The following are jail and detention facilities in La Crosse County:
Agency Name: La Crosse County Sheriff's Office
City: La Crosse, Wisconsin
Type: County law enforcement agency
Address: 333 Vine St, La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone Number: 608-785-9629 (Administration)
Staffing: The La Crosse County Sheriff's Office employs over 200 personnel
Police Department | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
Campbell Police Department | 2219 Bainbridge St, La Crosse, WI 54603 | (608) 783-1050 |
Holmen Police Department | 119 W Wall St, Holmen, WI 54636 | (608) 526-4212 |
Agency Name: La Crosse County Correctional Facility
State: Wisconsin
City: La Crosse
Type: County detention facility
Address: 333 Vine St, La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone Number: (608) 785-9629
Website: https://lacrossecounty.org/sheriff/sheriff-home/divisions/jail-services
Facility Name | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
La Crosse Juvenile Detention Center | 300 4th St N #4, La Crosse, WI 54601 | (608) 785-6405 |