(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department)
A 34-year-old Illinois man was arrested Saturday evening after he was saved from drifting too far from the shores of Lake Michigan. According to a Sheriff’s Department report, John R. Kuck, 34, of Northbrook, IL, called his father shortly before 10:00 pm and told him that he was stranded about a mile away from shore and he couldn’t get his boat started.
The father called the Sheriff’s Department saying he was concerned for his son. The Coast Guard was unavailable so two Kenosha County Deputies, Conlon and Matthies, drove to the coastguard station and jumped onto the County’s “Safe Boat.” The deputies began searching for Kuck, which was challenging. It was pitch black, and Kuck was allegedly intoxicated and uncooperative, refusing to call 9-1-1 to make himself easier to locate with GPS.
Eventially Kuck was convinced by disapatch to light off some flares, which assisted the deputies. They located Kuck and towed him to the marina.
One of the deputies wrote in his report that Kuck would not listen to directions and walked around the boat when told not to. On several occasions Kuck appeared to crouch down lower than the front windshield of the boat he was on which caused the deputy to lose visual of him. Kuck had been told multiple times to stay seated in the boat while deputies towed him to shore to ensure he did not fall off the boat. Once deputies arrived to Southport Marina, Kuck initially refused to identify himself but later gave them his Illinois driver’s license. The deputies noted that Kuck seem to be under the influence, but only admitted to drinking “one beer” on his grandparents yaht prior to operating the boat he was on.
Deputies noted in the reports that he was very defensive throughout the entire altercation. Kuck eventually performed the standardized field sobriety tests and it was determined that he was under the influence of intoxicants. He was arrested and transported to the jail for booking. He was issued citations for boating while intoxicated, refusal to provide a required blood/breath sample, failure to display identification number on a boat, and failure to carry or exhibit valid proof of safety certificate while operating a motorboat.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye
“This incident is yet another example of how officers are often called upon to serve the public and overcome obstacles – regardless of the conditions. There were no doubt challenges that these deputies had to face while navigating Lake Michigan in complete darkness. Luckily, our Marine Unit was equipped and ready to respond when the call came in. A short while after beginning the search, distress flares were utilized and Deputy Conlon and Deputy Matthies were able to locate the stranded vessel and tow it in.”
-Kenosha County Sheriff’s Spokesman Lt. Bryan Easter
12 Responses
The real story of the day is that the majority of the county board ignored the will of the 5th district and voted to install a leftist where a conservative had been elected. Adding an addition level of concern to the situation is that Geertsen & Karow supported this appointment, when even Brown & Morrissey had the good sense to oppose.
You’re lost. Take a left. Or right.
I would love to hear reasoning from the so-called conservatives, as to why they said, “Yes! Let’s appoint a liberal to a seat vacated by a conservative!”
Because it seems like they let their districts AND the 5th, down.
Upstanding citizen!
“Kuck”. Sometimes the jokes just write themselves.
Kudos to all the brave officers who have to deal with kucks on a daily basis.
Just curious.
What “other” call were they on that didn’t make the news ?
That was what I was wondering as well!!
With the last name Kuck, they should have cut him a break. He’s got enough problems.
Should have left him out there. Stupid gets stupid prize.
Why was the Coast Guard unavailable? Station not staffed 24/7? It’s great that those deputies did what they did, but come on that’s above and beyond.
IIRC Coast Guard cut staffing in Kenosha.
Thought it was silver lake, not lake michigan.