JUNEAU, Wis. (WFRV) – A 50-year-old Wisconsin man has been sentenced to 30 years for two separate violent offenses, including the attempted homicide of a Dodge County correctional officer.
William Lasalle was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision after being convicted of attempted first-degree intentional homicide for attacking Dodge County Correctional Officer Gregory Oettinger in 2024.
Lasalle was also convicted of aggravated battery intended to cause great bodily harm in a separate incident involving another inmate. For that crime, he was sentenced to an additional 10 years in prison and five years of extended supervision. The sentences will be served consecutively.
The aggravated battery victim, also an inmate with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, suffered a brutal attack. Prosecutors emphasized that despite being incarcerated, the victim had a right to be safe and free from violence.
The attack on Officer Oettinger occurred on May 21, 2024. Authorities say Lasalle used a makeshift weapon during the assault. Oettinger, relying on his training, was able to protect himself and subdue Lasalle with the assistance of fellow officers.
Due to his actions during the incident, Oettinger was nominated by Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt and selected as the Dodge County Executive Law Enforcement Association’s 2024 Correctional Officer of the Year.
At sentencing, Judge Brian Pfitzinger said attacks on law enforcement will not be tolerated.
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“These law enforcement officers don’t do this job because of the pay,” said Pfitzinger. “They do it to protect the public, and the risk they accept affects not only them, but their families as well.”
No additional details were provided.
