Jared Thompson
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A former Division Chief in the Wausau Fire Department has reached a plea deal for stealing thousands of vials of pain medication from the city.
Jared Thompson faces five counts, including three felonies for misconduct in office and two misdemeanors for theft of movable property. The 46-year-old is accused of stealing hydromorphone and fentanyl from the department, some of which he used on himself while in the building.
Officials believe the thefts may have started in early 2024. Co-workers blew the whistle on him in the summer of 2025 after finding signs of drug use in a station bathroom, including bloody gauze and tamper seals.
Others also noticed the 46-year-old coming in on his off days, then finding pain medications missing from ambulances. As suspicions grew, the department conducted an audit of all pain medications, which showed more than 1,000 vials were missing. For comparison, the Department purchased approximately 11 vials of hydromorphone and approximately 92 vials of fentanyl in 2023.
Thompson faces more than 10 years in prison on the felony counts. The plea and sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 9th. Between now and then, he is free on a $25,000 signature bond and was terminated from his position in the department in mid-September.
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