The
Executive Management Team shares a common philosophy about being successful in law enforcement; provide excellent customer service by providing compassionate law enforcement efforts, foster a work environment that attracts and retains the most professional law enforcement, and support personnel interested in a law enforcement career. We share a passion for using the taxpayers' money in the most efficient and effective manner.
The Supervisory Management Team shares the responsibility of overseeing the day-to-day operations of the department. This team consists of law enforcement professionals who share a common passion for treating all people with dignity and respect while allowing everyone their freedom of speech in a safe and secure open government venue.
Executive Management Team
David M. Erwin, Chief
Chief Erwin began his law enforcement career in 1996 when he joined the Wisconsin State Patrol, where he served in a variety of general patrol duties, investigative assignments, and was a Master Instructor in Defense and Arrest Tactics as well as a Unified Tactical Instructor. He was promoted through the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant (Dignitary Protection and Air Support Unit), and Captain (Commander of the WI State Patrol’s Dignitary Protection Unit).
In July 2012 Chief Erwin started his career with the Wisconsin State Capitol Police.
Before his service in law enforcement, Chief Erwin had nearly 11 years of military service in the United States Marine Corps where he was an Instructor Sergeant with expertise in M1A1 Battle Tank repair, service, and program development.
Chief Erwin is a member of the National Governors Security Association and International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) where he was trained in Leadership in Police Organizations in 2010. Chief Erwin earned his Associates Degree in Police Science and graduated class of 1996 with an outstanding student award at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.
Christopher M. Litzkow, Deputy Chief
Deputy Chief Litzkow started his career with the City of Jefferson Police Department in 2013. He joined Wisconsin State Capitol Police in 2014 where he served in a variety of assignments including: Patrol Officer, Detective, Sergeant, and Lieutenant of Specialized Services. In 2023, he was promoted to his current assignment, Deputy Chief of Police.
Deputy Chief Litzkow is certified by the WI DOJ as a Firearms and Professional Communications instructor. He is co-chair of the Wisconsin Air Coordination Group and founded the Wisconsin Drone Network. Deputy Chief Litzkow is a 2016 graduate of the Leadership in Police Organizations course, a 2019 graduate of the Wisconsin Command College and is a Wisconsin Certified Public Manager (CPM).
Abby S. Onsgard, Captain
Captain Abby Onsgard began her law enforcement career in 2012 as a deputy for the Dane County Sheriff’s Office and joined the Wisconsin State Capitol Police in 2013 as a Detective in the Criminal Investigation Unit. She was promoted to the rank of Police Captain in February 2024 and represents our department on county-wide teams such as Crisis Intervention (CIT), Human Trafficking, and Sexual Assault Response (SART). Captain Onsgard is certified through WI Department of Justice as an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) and Master CPR Instructor. She has attended numerous specialized training courses and provides instruction for state employees and new officers on topics such as crisis intervention, sexual assault, evidence, CPR, interview and interrogation, and report writing.
Mickael L. Price, Lieutenant - Bureau of Specialized Services
Lieutenant Price serves as the Specialized Services Lieutenant where he oversees the Communications Center, Criminal Investigations Unit, Executive Residence Detail, Infrastructure Security Unit, and K-9 Unit. Lieutenant Price began his law enforcement career with the Wisconsin State Capitol Police in 2013 on third shift patrol, and after being promoted to Sergeant in 2016, led third shift patrol, Infrastructure Security Unit, Executive Residence Detail, and the Criminal Investigations Unit. He also serves as the agency's K-9 handler with his partner K-9 Yachi, an explosives detection dog. Lieutenant Price is an instructor for vehicle contacts and a 2017 graduate of the Leadership in Police Organizations course.
Michael J. Harmatys, Lieutenant - Bureau of Patrol Operations
Lieutenant Harmatys serves as the Patrol Operations Lieutenant where he oversees the Madison and Milwaukee patrol units. He began his career with the Wisconsin State Capitol Police in 2017 as a patrol officer on the first shift. He was promoted to the rank of Detective in 2020, Sergeant in January 2021, and Detective Sergeant in April 2023. Prior to his law enforcement career, Lieutenant Harmatys obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees in science education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Lieutenant Harmatys is a graduate of the Leadership in Police Organizations course and Officer Development Program. He is a member of the Crisis Intervention Team and teaches various topics in the interdepartmental training academy. He is a people-focused leader with highly effective leadership skills and a talent for motivating others.
Supervisory Management Team
Adam G. Haas, Sergeant - First Shift Patrol
Sergeant Haas serves as the first shift Madison sector Patrol Sergeant. Prior to his law enforcement career, Sergeant Haas studied Business Administration at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He began his career with the Wisconsin State Capitol Police in 2015 as a patrol officer on the second shift. Sergeant Haas was promoted to the Dignitary Protection Unit, where he traveled with and provided protection for the Lieutenant Governor. He is a member of the department’s Crisis Intervention Team, Honor Guard, and was a Field Training Officer on the second shift. Sergeant Haas also worked as a Detective in the Criminal Investigations Unit before being promoted to the rank of Sergeant in November 2018. Sergeant Haas is an instructor for Firearms, Taser, and Emergency Vehicle Operations and Control.
Justin L. Wichman, Sergeant - Executive Residence Detail
Sergeant Wichman serves as the Executive Residence Detail Sergeant. Sergeant Wichman began his law enforcement career in 2006 with the Village of Fall River Police Department. In Oct of 2011, Sgt. Wichman continued his career in law enforcement with the Wisconsin State Capitol Police Department. In March 2018 Sergeant Wichman was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and is currently overseeing the Field Training Program. He is an instructor in Defense and Arrest Tactics (DAAT), OWI/SFST, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Tactical Response. Sergeant Wichman is also a current member of the National Tactical Officer Association (NTOA).
Joe A. Bahr, Sergeant - Milwaukee Division
Sergeant Bahr serves as the Milwaukee sector Patrol Sergeant. Sergeant Bahr began his law enforcement career with the Wisconsin State Capitol Police in 2012. He is a Field Training Officer and Background Investigator. ?Sergeant Bahr is a member of the department's Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) team. He is trained in Crisis Intervention, Critical Incident Stress Management, Mental Health First Aid & Suicide Prevention-QPR. Sergeant Bahr is the coordinator of the department's Peer Support Team. Also, Sergeant Bahr is the division's EAP representative and serves on the DOA Wellness Committee. Sergeant Bahr is a 2023 graduate of the Leadership in Police Organization course.
Wesley E. Starkey, Sergeant - Criminal Investigations Unit
Sergeant Starkey serves as the Detective Sergeant of the Criminal Investigations Unit. Sergeant Starkey started his law enforcement career in 2000 with the Winona Police Department and the Winona County Sheriff’s Department. In 2003, Sergeant Starkey started with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, serving in the jail, dispatch, road patrol, and as a supervisor. Sergeant Starkey served as a road patrol Sergeant for over six years and as a Richland County Special Response Team team leader. He has many certifications, such as field training officer, evidence technician, advanced interviewing and statement analysis, SWAT, and grant management. Sergeant Starkey started with the Wisconsin State Capitol Police in March 2023 and was promoted to Sergeant in January 2024. Sergeant Starkey holds a master’s degree in public administration from UW-Oshkosh, a bachelor’s degree in public administration, and an associate’s degree in criminal justice.
Tammy Johnson, Sergeant - Court Protection Unit
Sergeant Johnson serves as Court Protection Unit Sergeant. She began her career in public service in 1996 and transitioned to law enforcement in 2016. In October 2023, Sergeant Johnson joined the Wisconsin State Capitol Police as a police officer and court liaison with the Criminal Investigations Unit. She was promoted to the third shift Sergeant in June 2024, and she is part of the Dignitary Protection Unit for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Sergeant Johnson holds a bachelor's degree in administration with a minor in criminal justice, along with numerous professional certifications that reflect her commitment to leadership and public safety excellence.
William Nichols, Sergeant - Second Shift Patrol
Sergeant Nichols serves as the second shift Madison sector Patrol Sergeant. Sergeant Nichols joined the Wisconsin State Capitol Police in July 2024 as a Sergeant. He brings a wealth of experience in public safety, encompassing law enforcement, fire, and EMS. Sergeant Nichols' life long commitment to serving his community fuels his passion for developing future leaders in law enforcement. He is actively focused on enhancing his leadership skills to guide and mentor newcomers to the profession, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the challenges of today's public safety environment.
Dennis Pomeroy, Sergeant - Third Shift Patrol
Sergeant Pomeroy serves as the third shift Madison sector Patrol Sergeant. He began his law enforcement career in 2012 with the Town of Madison Police Department, then to Portage Police Department for 12 years, and then worked for the Sauk County Jail before joining the Wisconsin State Capitol Police Department. Sergeant Pomeroy has been a DARE training officer and received training in Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention-QPR.
Ryan R. Blank, Sergeant - Infrastructure Security Unit
Sergeant Blank serves as a Civilian Sergeant, supervising the Infrastructure Security Unit. Before working in law enforcement, he served as a Firefighter with the Hokah Fire Department and Campbell Fire Department. Sergeant Blank has been with the Wisconsin State Capitol Police since 2013, where he served as a dispatcher and field training officer. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in September 2017.
James Brooks, Sergeant - Communications Unit
Sergeant Brooks serves as the daytime Civilian Sergeant of the Communications Unit. He began his career with the Wisconsin State Capitol Police in January 2000
and has served in dual roles as a police officer and dispatcher. Before working for
Capitol Police, Sergeant Brooks was a Jailer at Columbia County in 1998, and a Park
Ranger at Yellowstone Lake Park in 1999. He has a degree in Police Science from
1996 and attended the Law Enforcement Academy in 1997.
Tandalaya Taylor, Sergeant - Communications Unit
Sergeant Tandalaya serves as the evening Civilian Sergeant of the Communications Unit. She began her career in public service in 2018, where she developed valuable knowledge and leadership experience. Sergeant Taylor began her career with the Wisconsin State Capitol Police in September 2022 as a dispatcher in the communication center. Sergeant Taylor was promoted to evening supervisor in April 2024. She is CPR certified, a communication trainer, and a member of the Peer Support Team through the Wisconsin Department of Justice.