A 10-year veteran of the Fond du Lac Police Department will serve a three day unpaid suspension following the outcome of an excessive force investigation. Officer Joel Gudex will also be required to take remedial training. Gudex slammed 49-year-old John Lund down on a table at the Fond du Lac County Jail causing a cut to Lund’s head that had to be treated at St. Agnes Hospital.
Chief Tony Barthuly determined Gudex’s tactics weren’t appropriate given the situation. “I looked at it. I thought that the officer’s tactics were lacking, and they were not the tactics that we train our officers and have trained as recently as six months ago,” saud Barthuly. “That was very concerning to me.”
Barthuly says he understands that Lund was giving officers problems during and after the arrest, but that doesn’t excuse the behavior. The investigation was overseen by Deputy Chief Kevin Lemke and conducted by Steve Theory, but outside experts were also consulted. Barthuly said ultimately the decision was up to him whether discipline was required. “It was my opinion and my recommendation . . . that Officer Gudex be suspended for a period of three days and remedial training be implemented as soon as possible.” Meanwhile criminal charges are pending against Lund.
Bob Nelson, KFIZ