Sheriff showdown at middle school

WAUPACA – On Oct. 6, incumbent Waupaca County Sheriff Tim Wilz (Republican) and his challenger, Officer Justin Malueg (Independent) held a debate in the auditorium of the Waupaca Middle School. Outside the doors were posters, signs and tables for each candidate offering flyers and campaign tchotchke.

Once people filtered in and were seated, the audience approximately filled 80% of the auditorium. Many Wilz supporters wore red campaign t-shirts. The debate was moderated by former Waupaca School District Administrator Ron Saari who sat between Wilz and Malueg on stage and he laid out the rules and asked for respectful manners from the debaters and the audience.

Chris Martinson started the evening with a prayer and afterwards everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The opening statements from Wilz and Malueg mostly covered their professional backgrounds and the first question was redundant as it also asked about their backgrounds. Throughout the debate, each of them would alternate the order of answering questions.

Malueg grew up in northern Waupaca County, graduated from Tigerton High School in 2011, and earned an associate degree in 2013. He started as a Waupaca County reserve deputy, worked full-time for the City of Weyauwega for five years, was hired by Sheriff Tim Wilz as a deputy until 2024, and currently serves as a police officer in Poynette and Shiocton.

Wilz began his career working part-time for four years in Manawa while joining Waupaca County as a correctional officer, later serving as a transport officer, patrol officer, and patrol sergeant/tactical trainer before being elected sheriff in 2019. He outlined major departmental accomplishments, including relocating the dispatch center for staff safety, creating dive and drone teams, adding a K9 unit, contracting police services with Fremont, equipping officers with EpiPens and expanding community engagement through Meet the Fleet, Cops and Culvers, National Night Out) and establishing an officer wellness program with a contracted therapist

Question 2: Regarding illegal drugs, is it a help or a hindrance to work with multiple agencies, and explain why.

Malueg: He viewed multi-agency cooperation as a vital tool to combat illegal drugs and related mental health challenges He stressed that law enforcement cannot simply lock away the problem and called for greater resource investment in programs like drug court to rehabilitate individuals back into society.

Wilz: He stated multi-agency task forces are essential for combining resources to target regional drug dealers as they move across Waupaca, Wood, Portage and Adams counties.

Question 3: What are some requirements for the county sheriff to have an effective working relationship with the county district attorney?

Wilz: He emphasized that law enforcement submits charges while the district attorney prosecutes, stressing that strong communication, cooperation, and open discussion are essential across the judicial system.

Malueg: He agreed on communication but highlighted the need for mutual accountability between the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office, noting past personal friction with the DA while stressing that officials must forgive past conflicts and work together for the public.

Question 4: What are some of the key attributes and characteristics that you would look for in the appointment of a Chief Deputy?

Malueg: He would look person that has a sincere care for employees and citizens, has a lack of favoritism and has strong community orientation. He believed in promotion based on merit from the bottom up and commitment to financial transparency.

Wilz: He prioritized trust, honesty, and compassion for staff, deep professional knowledge, strong community focus and the willingness to hold officers strictly accountable regardless of personal friendships.

Question 5: What would you do to retain, recruit, and train effective deputies?

Wilz: He addressed national hiring challenges precipitated by Black Lives Matters and various defund-the-police movements. His solution was recruiting top external candidates whenever possible and recruiting proven internal correctional officers.

Malueg: He asserted that equal treatment is not currently occurring, citing over 100 years of combined experience has left the department since 2022 due to workplace issues, harassment, and retaliation lawsuits. He promised consistent and fair accountability and open communication.

Question 6: How would you maintain accountability from the deputies and staff within the department?

Malueg: He would focus on leading by example alongside staff, earning respect, supporting deputies and applying uniform accountability regardless of political support or personal ties.

Wilz: He noted he has held Officer Malueg accountable on three separate occasions and explained that supervision is maintained through patrol sergeants to enforce department policies strictly and impartially.

Question 7: What do you see as the biggest public safety challenge in our county over the next four years?

Wilz: He identified mental health as the central challenge as it bleeds into other criminal activity. He cited hospital clearance and he mentioned ongoing work with care providers to reduce costs and wait times.

Malueg: He pointed to drug addiction and mental health, highlighting personal and professional experiences and he proposed community response support teams to help connect individuals with resources after initial law enforcement contact.

Question 8: What does “protect and serve” mean to you in practical terms, not just as a slogan?

Malueg: He defined it as dedicating one’s life to public service, building community relationships, and placing taxpayer interests first above administrative noise.

Wilz: He defined it as safeguarding constitutional rights, offering compassionate service during crises, maintaining active road patrols and partnering with local schools.

Question 9: How would you measure whether or not you were an effective sheriff at the end of your term?

Wilz: He measures effectiveness through community safety, staff loyalty and support, clear communication and having a dependable presence during county emergencies

Malueg: He measures effectiveness through public reelection, financial and operational transparency, mutual respect with staff, and actively working alongside deputies.

Question 10: What is one promise you could realistically make to the people of this county tonight that you will accomplish during your term?

Malueg: He promised complete fairness, removing partisan politics from law enforcement, and standing up for citizens over political interests.

Wilz: He promised that residents will never have to worry about the security of their homes, businesses or farms and guaranteed that county deputies will protect them.

Question 11: If difficult budget decisions are needed, how do you determine what things get prioritized and funded and what might not?

Wilz: He highlighted recent cost-saving measures, such as leasing squad cars instead of purchasing them to save $2 million over 10 years and increasing prisoner-housing revenue from $1.5 million to $2.5 million.

Malueg: He recommended distinguishing needs from wants by reallocating non-essential take-home vehicles assigned to administrative roles such as dispatch and jail captains and curbing the department’s $800,000 overtime budget.

Question 12: How do you stay current on constitutional duties and requirements of being the county sheriff?

Malueg: He focuses on studying case law and legal updates to avoid civil rights violations, while committing to attend and actively participate in county board and finance committee meetings.

Wilz: He relies on active participation in the Badger State Sheriff’s Association and its legislative committee.

Question 13: As county sheriff, how would you stay current on the most effective law enforcement techniques?

Wilz: He conducts biweekly leadership meetings across departmental divisions (patrol, detectives, and administration) to evaluate new methods and leverages information shared through statewide sheriff and chief deputy associations.

Malueg: He leverages his experience as a certified instructor and field training officer alongside regular review of legal briefs and Supreme Court case studies.

Closing Statements

Wilz acknowledged that sheriff leadership involves difficult decisions, public scrutiny, and personal accountability. He admitted to making past mistakes, learning from them, and moving forward. Wilz expressed regret over campaign-related personal attacks affecting staff and families, while recommitting himself to serving the community and supporting the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office.

Malueg emphasized his campaign slogan “people over politics,” and he praised 90% of the Sheriff’s Office staff while calling out what he characterized as workplace misconduct, sexual harassment, and inappropriate promotions within the remaining 10%. Malueg pledged to stand up against workplace bullying and dedicate himself to serving all Waupaca County citizens.

The general election for Waupaca County Sheriff is scheduled for November 3, 2026.