Former Sauk Prairie detective charged with resisting or obstructing an officer

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - A former Sauk Prairie police detective is charged with resisting or obstructing an officer seven months after resigning from the department during an internal investigation. That former detective is Joel Ludowitz.

NBC15 Investigates started getting tips from viewers back in January involving controversy surrounding Ludowitz’s seemingly sudden departure from the police department on January 13. Open records show Ludowitz resigned during an “internal investigation.”

The resignation came two weeks after a single vehicle car crash in Prairie Du Sac on New Year’s Eve. The Wisconsin State crash report shows the car involved is owned by Ludowitz. The report shows the KIA hit a curb, bridge rail, traffic sign and a tree, and it was investigated as a hit and run. Sauk Prairie Officer Paul Deuman is listed as the investigating officer. Documents show he was put on leave from the department three days later.

The criminal complaint was filed against Ludowitz on Tuesday. His initial court appearance is on September 6 in Sauk County Court.

NBC15 has reached out to Ludowitz’s lawyer for comment. And we have not heard back yet.

Chief of Police Josh Sherman told NBC15 Friday that Deuman retired and his last day was June 30.

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