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Off-duty Wis. CO targeted in tavern beating, police say

Attackers were bragging they had beaten a cop

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Steven R. Franke, Nathan T. Starks and Robert D. Hamm

Photo/Columbia County DA

By C1 Staff

PORTAGE, Wis. — A man who was beaten behind a Wisconsin tavern was targeted because he was a CO, according to a release from the Portage Police Department.

The CO, who was off-duty at the time of the assault, called police after the attack to report he had been severely beaten behind a bar.

Investigators told News3 that the attackers were bragging they were carnival workers at the local fair and they had beaten a cop.

Steven R. Franke, 31, and Robert D. Hamm, 32, were arrested on suspicion of substantial battery and disorderly conduct. Nathan T. Starks, 21, was arrested on suspicion of substantial battery, disorderly conduct, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Dustin E. Meeker, 25, was referred to the Columbia County DA’s Office on a charge of disorderly conduct.