Milwaukee County deputy, K-9 partner recovering after squad rear-ended
CBS 58/MCSO Updated: July 28, 2026
OAK CREEK, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) shared an update Tuesday, on a crash involving a deputy and K-9 partner Monday morning.
The sheriff's office says Deputy Sheriff Mindel and his K-9 partner, Ryker, were injured when a driver "slammed into" their squad on I-41 in Oak Creek.
According to MCSO, the squad had its emergency lights flashing and was blocking lanes to redirect traffic after another crash had occurred.
They say Mindel is recovering, but Ryker, a 6-year-old Shepherd-Malinois, is still fighting.
In a social media post shared Tuesday, the MCSO said in part:
"Those red and blue lights are hard to miss. If you are too fatigued to drive or to see emergency lights ahead of you, pull over and rest! If you’re driving with another adult, ask them to take a turn behind the wheel. Whatever you do, don’t just “plow” forward, because this can happen.
If you’re so inclined, think a positive thought or say a prayer for Ryker."
Updated: 9:18 a.m. on July 27, 2026:
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Officials have also offered details about the striking vehicle.
They say the man, woman and child in the vehicle that hit the squad car were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries that are deemed to be non-life-threatening.
In the original crash that led to the squad being at the scene, no serious injuries resulted.
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee County sheriff's deputy and his K-9 partner suffered non-life-threatening injuries early Monday, July 27 when their squad was rear-ended on I-94 northbound near Drexel Avenue, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies had responded to an earlier crash shortly after 4 a.m. and the K-9 deputy's squad was hit at around 4:27 a.m. as he prepared to close lanes.
The striking vehicle, carrying a man, a woman and a small child, stayed at the scene.
The deputy was taken to a hospital for evaluation. His canine partner was examined and cleared by a veterinarian.
As of 8 a.m. Monday, all lanes of I-41 northbound have been reopened.
No arrests were made or citations issued, though officials say the crash is still being investigated.
