Wisconsin DOJ wraps up investigation of Superior police officer who ran over a person while on patrol

The Superior Police Department announced Friday the Wisconsin Department of Justice has finished its investigation of a Superior police officer they said unknowingly ran over a person in February.

On Friday, the police department released a statement and squad car footage pertaining to the DOJ’s investigation of Officer Joshua Sislo, who joined the force in May.

A DOJ spokesperson said the agency will not release the findings of its investigation until the Douglas County District Attorney decides whether to file charges, adding records will only be released if no charges are filed.

Sislo was among officers looking for a person prowling cars in the city’s downtown when he drove over an individual lying in the road Feb. 19, according to police.

As Sislo turned eastbound onto North 8th Street, the officer noticed a bump. According to a statement from police, Sislo said he looked back in his side view mirror but didn’t see anything. Police said Sislo “assumed he had driven over a piece of snow/ice” in the road until responding to the scene a short time later following a 911 call.

“Upon realizing that he had driven down this road minutes earlier he notified his Sergeant that he may have driven over the victim and requested the Sergeant to take steps to review his squad car footage for possible evidence,” the statement said.

A review of the video shows a dark figure lying in the road for about a second as the squad car turns off a main downtown thoroughfare onto a side street. Police say it’s still unknown why the individual was lying in the road.

The DOJ’s report has been forwarded to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office to decide whether any charges will be filed in the incident. Douglas County District Attorney Mark Fruehauf said he received the report on Wednesday and hasn’t yet reviewed the agency’s findings.

Superior Police Chief Nick Alexander said he would review the DA’s decision, but he doesn’t anticipate any disciplinary action.

“Upon review of the records available to me I believe the final finding will be that this is a tragic and unfortunate accident, and we continue to express our sincere well wishes to the victim of this incident,” Alexander said in the statement.

Police said the victim’s name is not being released in accordance with Marsy’s Law, adding that the victim has since been released from the hospital and is recovering.

Sislo was placed on administrative leave following the incident and returned to duty March 12.