At 1:30PM on Monday, May 30th, LCPD Water Patrol Officers Dakota Jelinski and Dale Gerbig were patrolling along the Black River just south of the railroad bridge. Two large boats came through the area at full throttle, causing a massive wake. The wake swamped a smaller fishing boat, causing it to capsize, resulting in the three occupants having to be rescued from the river.
The La Crosse Police Water Patrol Officers actually witnessed this incident and responded immediately. La Crosse Police, along with three other boats, assisted in rescuing the three victims of this incident. If it wasn’t for the quick response of both police and fellow boaters, this incident could have been tragic.
One of the victims, who self-admittedly could not swim, was wearing a life vest at the time he was rescued. He said that he’d just spent $50 on the life jacket thinking that he’d never need it, but decided to wear it anyways.
La Crosse Police assisted in towing the victims’ boat safely to shore and are thankful there were no injuries. Due to rescue efforts, La Crosse Police were unable to identify the two boats responsible for this incident.
This incident is a perfect reminder of two important safety aspect of boating. First, all boaters need to have available one personal flotation device for each occupant on the boat. Second, boaters need to be conscientious of their wake, even when not in a “No Wake” zone.
La Crosse Police would ask that if you have any information about the two boats responsible for this dangerous incident, please contact us at 608-785-5962 or send a private message through our Facebook or Twitter pages. You can also submit a tip via La Crosse Area Crime Stoppers at 608-784-TIPS; text “LAXTIPS” and your tip to 274637 (“Crimes”); or fill out the online Web Tip Form. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
La Crosse PD Newsroom 
Heroes once again! Thank you for being there
Good job and you guys are amazing. Thanks to the boaters that came to help!!!