TOWN OF UNION, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating an officer involved death that occurred in the Town of Union in Eau Claire County, Wis. on the morning of Monday, May 4, 2026.
At approximately 7:25 a.m. Monday, two Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 312/North Crossing at Highway 12. The crash resulted in three damaged vehicles, and one non-life-threatening injury.
One crash subject, a 34-year-old male identified as Kelly M. Whalen, exited his vehicle and fled on foot. One deputy, Joseph Wollum, with 10 years and 10 months of law enforcement experience, departed the crash scene to search for Whalen. Contact was made by law enforcement with Whalen at Lyle Lane near Chuck Lane. Upon contact, Whalen brandished what law enforcement reported to be a knife. Deputy Wollum discharged his weapon, striking Whalen. A knife was later recovered during scene processing.
EMS was contacted and life saving measures were rendered on Whalen, but Whalen was pronounced deceased on scene. No members of law enforcement or other members of the public were injured during this incident.
The involved law enforcement officer was wearing a body-worn camera during the incident, and continues to be on an administrative assignment, per the agency’s policy.
DCI is leading this investigation and is assisted by a DCI Crime Response Specialist, Wisconsin State Patrol, the Eau Claire Police Department, and the Eau Claire County Medical Examiner.
Involved law enforcement are fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation. DCI is continuing to review evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over the investigative reports to the Eau Claire County District Attorney’s Office when the investigation concludes.
Please direct all media inquiries to Wisconsin DOJ.
