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By Dennis L. Jones, District 2 Director
Wisconsin Law Enforcement Journal
Summer 1988, page 19
It was a normal Friday afternoon at the City-County Building in Madison. Thoughts of weekend activities were running through everyone's mind. People were finishing up the last of the paperwork to spend some time with the family. The last thing anyone could imagine was what came next: A nightmare that happens somewhere else, not here. The incident would take the lives of two wonderful people and change the lives of untold others.
The day was January 15, 1988, 12:45 p.m. A lone man entered a reception area of the Dane County Sheriff's Department and began shooting. Eleanor Townsend, a part-time secretary for the office of Dane County Corporation Counsel, was shot dead. Another man in the office, there to pay a parking ticket, was wounded.
The gunman then fled the area and ran down the hallway toward the coroner's office. He entered the room and fatally wounded Dane County Coroner Bud Chamberlain. He was confronted by Deputy Louis Molnar, who pleaded with the man to give up several times. The gunman instead made a quick move toward Molnar, screaming, "I'm going to kill everybody, and I don't care if you kill me." Molnar was able to shoot the gunman twice and disable him.
This is just a brief description of the terrible tragedy, but the aftermath will live on for many people for the rest of their lives. I cannot describe the shock, the total disbelief that this could and did happen. The horror shook every employee in the City-County Building, and rippled throughout the entire county.
No one could believe this could happen in Madison, Wisconsin, in a building where hundreds of people work and conduct business every day, where there are a lot of police officers.
"What is this world coming to?" was the unanswered question on many minds. Afterward, the question turned to prevention: "What could have been done to prevent this and what should be done in the future?"
The building must be open to the public, but how do we protect ourselves against such a horrible situatiom? This question has been pondered in the past and will be in the future, never being fully answered. Many other questions were asked: What makes a man do this? Should guns be controlled more? Is our system of justice working? Whose fault is this?
During tragic times such as this, we call out for answers, and analyze our past and future. But much like life, there may be no answer. We can hope and pray that this is an isolated incident. This day will be long remembered as one of sadness, madness and frustration. All of us extend our sympathy and thoughts to the families of two wonderful people, Bud Chamberlain and Eleanor Townsend.
The gunman shot by Deputy Molnar was identified as Aaron Lindh, 19, of Madison. Lindh was scheduled to appear in circuit court on a reckless use of weapons charge, which occured in November. At that time, he threatened a friend with a firearm.
Lindh's life was full of turmoil. He apparently was in trouble most of his life, with offenses ranging from burglary to arson. He was also known to have a terrible temper. He had been treated by mental health professionals, and had spent time at Wales and the Ethan Allen School for Boys.
Aaron Lindh survived his two gunshot wounds. He is currently being held in the Dane County Jail, which is in the same building where his shooting spree took place. He will also stand trial in that building. But no matter what the trial's outcome is, our legal system cannot bring back the two people who were senselessly killed, nor can it repair the damage to the lives of so many.
Clyde "Bud" Chamberlain, age 62, Dane County Coroner since 1961, WLEOA member since 1963 -- cold, bare facts that briefly describe a man who contributed more to our lives than many people will ever know. Bud always went the extra distance. As far as I know, Bud never had a "down day." He loved kids, and more than once I saw tears in his eyes when his job brought him in contact with young people.
Bud spoke many times of the value of life and those young people who didn't appreciate it. He spoke of how drugs, alcohol, not wearing a motorcycle helmet, and speeding in automobiles needlessly takes lives. He often took the death of others personally. If you didn't know better, you would think he was a member of the deceased family.
Bud was very dedicated to his work, and took it as more than a job. Many years ago, a program for eye donations was started. Bud worked his tail off to make it successful. Imagine having a relative die, then having the coroner ask if you will donate the deceased eyes. I don't know how Bud did it, but he was good, and through his hard work and dedication, many others were given the "gift of sight."
Bud Chamberlain was much more than just a law enforcement officer. He was a fine person, father, husband and businessman. It is difficult for me to describe our loss. It is like walking the same path every day for years, being comfortable with the trail. Then all of a sudden, there is a large hole in that path that makes you walk a different way. Bud is that hole in our lives, an emptiness that will never be filled again.
Every time a case involving the coroner's office comes up, we will think of Bud. When the word compassion is mentioned, I'll think of Bud as well. My hearfelt sympathy goes out to his family. He set an example in life that we all should follow. His family can be proud of him. I know that we are all better people for knowing Bud.
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Clyde C. Chamberlain Jr. comforts his mother, Virginia, as they pass an honor guard outside St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 2450 Atwood Ave., after funeral services Monday for Coroner Clyde "Bud" Chamberlain. Nearly 1,200 people attended the services for Chamberlain, who was slain Friday in his City-County Building office.
-State Journal photo by Carolyn Pflasterer
Wisconsin Law Enforcement Journal,
Summer 1988, page 86
In the wake of a tragedy, Govenor Tommy Thompson appointed Ray Wosepka as new coroner to replace Clyde Chamberlain, who was murdered January 15, 1988. Ray is a 20-year veteran of the Madison Police Department. Before that, he was a prison guard for two years. During his last ten years with that department, he spearheaded the Crime Prevention Unit. He has also been a part-time coroner since 1984.
There is no question that Ray is a good man for the job. He was a police officer and has a lot of knowledge as to what street officers think and the problems they have.
I have worked with Ray in the past and have found him to be very personable, down to earth and a pleasure to work with. I know Ray will do a fine job.
Ray is taking over this position under difficult circumstances. I know he would have wanted it to come another way, but we wish him the best of luck.
