Waupaca County Sheriff Timothy Wilz has promoted Carl Artz and Julie Thobaben.
Artz took the oath of office on June 3 for the position of chief deputy.
Artz will be working alongside the current Chief Deputy Allen Kraeger until Kraeger’s retirement on Aug. 31.
Artz has been with the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office for 35 years.
He started his career with the sheriff’s office in 1983 as a dispatcher. Artz took the position of patrol deputy in 1985 until he assumed the position of detective sergeant in 1997.
Artz was recently promoted as detective captain in February 2019 before accepting the position of chief deputy.
A lifelong resident of Waupaca County, Artz graduated from Manawa High School in 1980 and studied police science at Fox Valley Technical College.
He continued his education through numerous specialized training in all divisions.
“I appreciate that I will be working with the present Chief Deputy Allen R. Kraeger for the next three months until his last day of work,” Artz said. “History is repeating itself, as Chief Deputy Al Kraeger was one of my training officers when I started in the patrol division.”
Wilz said Artz represents a positive change for the citizens and Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office.
“Chief Deputy Carl Artz will continue making positive changes through strong leadership, professionalism, positive listening and creating a work environment where everyone counts,” Wilz said.
“In law enforcement we know that change is constant,” Artz said. I believe good communication will ensure the change process goes smoothly. I believe the key to leadership is listening to the concerns of the citizens of Waupaca County as well as the officers throughout our department and all departments.
Thobaben took the oath of office to accept the position of detective captain on June 3.
Thobaben will assume the position of detective captain effective immediately.
She has been with the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office for 25 years.
Thobaben started her career with the Sheriff’s Office as a E911 dispatcher.
She was soon promoted to patrol deputy and eventually took the position of detective sergeant in 2013.
A graduate with honors from Marion High School in 1990, Thobaben continued her education at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where she earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in criminal justice.
While serving Waupaca County, Thobaben continued her education.
“Within those years of education, I became a vehicle contact instructor, ethics instructor, field training officers, and I was a member of Law Enforcement Training Officers’ Association (LEOTA) for the state of Wisconsin,” Thobaben said.
She was elected to LEOTA’s board as a director in September 2008, vice president in 2010, and president in 2014 through April 2019.
“Capt. Julie Thobaben will be a great asset to the citizens of Waupaca County and the Sheriff’s Office with strong leadership attributes, integrity and honesty,” Wilz said.