July 11, 2026
VIROQUA, Wis. — Theodore “Ted” Harris, a towering figure in Vernon County who dedicated his life to education, athletics, and public safety, died on July 9, 2026, at the age of 86. Following his passing, local emergency personnel are mourning the loss of a man they describe as a humble leader and a legend in the community.
The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office and the Viroqua Fire Department expressed profound grief over the loss of Harris, who served the region in multiple high-stakes roles. During his extensive career in public service, Harris worked as a police officer for the City of Viroqua, a deputy and evidence specialist for the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department, and the Chief of the Viroqua Fire Department. Harris was also a founding member of the Vernon County Hazardous Materials Response Team and served as a fire service instructor throughout Wisconsin.
Sheriff Roy Torgerson and Chief Deputy Matthew Sutton extended their deepest condolences, emphasizing that Harris’s legacy cannot be measured by a single title. The Sheriff’s Office praised his unassuming nature, noting that he never sought recognition or praise, but instead led with unwavering dedication because it was simply the right thing to do. “Thank you, Ted, for showing us the greatest leaders are often the humblest among us,” the Sheriff’s Office stated.
The Viroqua Fire Department echoed these sentiments in a public tribute, mourning the loss of a “true brother” to the fire service, a “guru” to the HAZMAT crews, and a “quick and critical thinker” for emergency medical services. Colleagues fondly remembered him as a mentor who “taught so many young firefighters what was needed to become an old firefighter”. Former colleague Richard Wallin noted that Harris’s dedication led to vastly improved fire departments across Vernon County.
Beyond his emergency service, Harris had a profound 36-year impact on the Viroqua Area School District. Born in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, in 1940, Harris was a 16-letter high school athlete and a state champion track star before playing football as a four-year letter winner at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He graduated in 1963 and began teaching science in Viroqua, eventually rising to become the district’s Media Supervisor in 1973 and the High School Principal in 1996.
Harris also left an indelible mark on local and national athletics as a coach and one of Wisconsin’s premier wrestling officials. His impressive officiating resume spanned 30 years with the WIAA, 20 years in the Big Ten, and included numerous NAIA and NCAA National Championships.
Whether mentoring a student in the classroom, making critical decisions on the fire ground, or patrolling the streets, Harris’s steady presence shaped generations of Vernon County residents. As former student and colleague Jim Hanson reflected, Harris left an incredible legacy that stretched from teaching eighth-grade science to guiding the sheriff’s department.
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