July 28, 2026
LA FARGE, Wis. — A 68-year-old rural La Farge man was arrested Tuesday following an alleged confrontation with the village’s police chief at the chief’s residence, according to a joint statement from the Vernon and Juneau county sheriff’s offices.
Mark D. Campbell was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon in rural La Farge as the result of an incident that occurred late Monday night in the village.
According to authorities, La Farge Police Chief Steven Palmer called 911 shortly before 9 p.m. Monday from his private residence to report that Campbell had arrived unexpectedly and confronted him about a village ordinance compliance letter concerning vehicles parked on property Campbell owns in the village.
Palmer reported that Campbell lunged at him in an aggressive manner, and a “police-trained control technique” was used to gain control of Campbell. Deputies from the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, along with the Ontario Police Department.
Authorities initially released Campbell from detention Monday night as part of resolving the incident.
Later that evening, Palmer became aware of injuries and sought medical treatment at Vernon Health in Viroqua. Authorities said Campbell may also seek medical treatment.
Because of a potential conflict of interest involving the police chief, Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson requested that the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office conduct an independent investigation.
Campbell was transported to the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office in Mauston and was expected to appear in court for a bail hearing Wednesday.
Formal charges are expected to be referred to Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher, who will likely seek an outside prosecutor. Juneau County District Attorney Kenneth Hamm’s office is assisting in the case.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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