Former Wausau Fire Department Division Chief Sentenced for Misconduct in Office

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 -- 12:01 PM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) A former Wausau Fire Department Division Chief has been given a withheld sentence after pleading guilty to a pair of felony counts for misconduct in office.

According to Mike Leischener with WSAU, Jared Thompson entered the plea on Monday morning and was given three years of probation. If he completes the terms of the probation, he will not serve prison time for the felony counts for now.

The 46-year-old was caught stealing hydromorphone and fentanyl from the department, some of which he used on himself while in the building. Investigators believe the thefts started in early 2024, when coworkers started noticing signs of drug use in a station bathroom, including broken vial seals and bloody gauze.

Some also observed Thompson mixing vials of the drugs, then putting them in his pocket instead of using them on patients. They also saw Thompson coming in on his off days. The behavior led to an audit of the department’s supply, which found more than 1,000 vials unaccounted for.

Terms of his probation include treatment and counseling, a mental health evaluation, and maintaining full-time employment or schooling. He will also pay $1,700 restitution to the City of Wausau and will have a full no-contact order against the Wausau Fire Department, “unless in an official capacity.”

Thompson had been facing more than ten years in prison on all counts. Should he fail to complete his probation, a Judge could reopen the case and give him prison time. He previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.

City officials confirm that his employment was terminated shortly after the charges came to light.

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