(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Ryan Joseph Romano, 45, of Kenosha, a former Kenosha County sheriff’s deputy, died Friday morning, October 30. Kenosha Police say the death investigation has signs of a drug overdose, but the cause of death remains undetermined pending the medical examiner’s findings.
(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office)
Romano leaves behind an adult son and a daughter nearing adulthood, both living in Florida. He also leaves many other family members and friends mourning his loss.
Before addiction took hold, Romano was well liked by fellow sheriff’s deputies and officers with the Kenosha Police Department. His battle with addiction began after he suffered a serious injury while using a machete to help the Kenosha Drug Operation Group cut down a marijuana field.
Romano was prescribed painkillers following the injury. His addiction became progressively worse, and his struggles continued after he left the Sheriff’s Office.
Romano previously served on road patrol with the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department. He resigned in December 2012 after being transferred to administrative duty in August of that year, according to reporting published at the time. KCE contacted the Kenosha County sheriff for comment, but he had no comment to share about the former deputy.
Dispatch records show a medical call Friday at Lakeside Towers, 5800 Third Avenue. Subsequent police radio traffic referred to Romano as deceased.
“This is an open and on-going investigation,” the Kenosha Police Department told KCE in an email Tuesday. “We are treating this as a death investigation that has signs of a drug overdose. We will not know the cause of death until the ME’s report is provided to the lead detective.”
If you or someone you know is battling addiction, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). The free, confidential service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides referrals to local treatment programs and support services.
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One Response
So sad… Just wondering if this happened Friday.Why are we now just hearing about it? RiP deputy.