VIROQUA, Wis. – Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports the arrest of Joel Richard Davis 44, of West Salem, Wis. after receiving a call in the town of Liberty that Davis was trying to enter their home.
According to the Sheriff’s Office on Saturday morning, January 4 at approximately 5:15 a.m. the Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center received a report that someone was attempting to enter a private home located along State Highway 56, between Viroqua and Viola. The victims reported hearing cries for help outside of the home.
At approximately 5:30 a.m., a male later identified as Davis, was detained while the investigation continued. Davis appeared to be alone and did not appear injured. He was later arrested and booked into the Vernon County Detention Center.
Davis is expected to appear in Vernon County Circuit Court on Monday, January 6 for a bail hearing. Formal charges will be sought through Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher. A charge is merely an accusation. Davis is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
On July 21, 2022, Davis was sentenced to four years in state prison and one year of extended supervision as the result of a combined total of four felony convictions, ranging from felony bail jumping to possession of amphetamines with intent to deliver, in Crawford, La Crosse, and Vernon counties. In July 2024, Davis was released on extended supervision in La Crosse County. Once notified of Saturday’s arrest, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections issued a parole hold for Davis.
Sheriff Torgerson stated that based on the training and observations of officers with years of experience, drug use is suspected to have been a factor in Saturday’s incident.
Assisting the Sheriff’s Office at the scene was the Viroqua Police Department. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
The incident remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.
Torgerson went on to day Illegal drug use has been known to present dangerous situations for law enforcement. Utilizing their extensive training the community and the taxpayer allow us to provide, and by embracing effective communication skills, these officers draw from their experiences to respond accordingly. I am truly grateful that everyone involved in this incident is safe. We must also recognize the dedicated and highly trained 911 dispatchers. Working alone, the 911 Dispatcher in this case balanced her other duties during this nearly nine-minute 911 call to gather information from the caller and communicate these vital details to the responding officers. Our communications professionals are truly the hub of the wheel. We also show our appreciation for the men and women that makeup a highly effective corrections team. Hands down, the correctional officers will invest most of the time in this incident.
We always need your help; therefore, if you have any information about this crime or any other crime, call Vernon Co Crime Stoppers at 608-637-8477 (TIPS), or submit an online tip at www.p3tips.com
I think it should look be noted that not one of his prior convictions or arrests was for a violent crime…. since we’re throwing his record out there I just thought people should be aware of that part.