Wood County Sheriff Becker Shares Insights on Career, Family, and Community Policing

By David Ballerstein
WOOD COUNTY — On a recent episode of “Coffee with the Mayor,” Wood County Sheriff Shawn Becker joined Mayor Lois TeStrake for a candid discussion covering his law enforcement career, community issues, family life, and the county’s major investment in a new jail facility.
Becker, who is currently serving his second term and plans to run for a third, reflected on his decision to seek the sheriff’s office. He said the choice was deeply rooted in both his career trajectory and family support.
“It really came down to two things: my career path and my family,” Becker said. “We were empty nesters at the time, and my wife Julie and I talked about whether this fit in our lives. It was a family decision.”
Community Policing and Mental Health Focus
Throughout his tenure, Becker has focused on mental health as a key pillar of law enforcement efforts. He emphasized collaborating with community stakeholders to address mental health challenges—a platform he said has only grown stronger over time.
“It’s been awesome to see progress over the past seven years,” he noted, adding that community support remains vital despite national conversations that sometimes cast law enforcement in a negative light.
Becker acknowledged the impact of national media narratives on recruitment and public perception, stating that interest in law enforcement careers has declined significantly since he first started. “Years ago, I’d be competing with hundreds of applicants for a job,” he said. “Now departments are getting 25 to 30 applications.”
Deep Roots in Central Wisconsin
Although Becker grew up in the Chicago area, his family relocated to Stevens Point when he was ten, cementing his connection to Central Wisconsin. Initially interested in teaching, Becker found his calling in law enforcement during college.
He began his career at the Sauk Prairie Police Department before returning to Central Wisconsin when Wood County offered him an opportunity. “I’m very grateful to be here. Things happen for a reason,” he said.
A Family Dedicated to Service
Becker and his wife Julie, who co-owns Earth Construction in the Plover area, raised two daughters. Their eldest, Jordan, works as a dispatcher for the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department and recently welcomed a son, River Becker Moon, four weeks ahead of schedule.
The sheriff beamed as he spoke of his first grandchild, who spent several days in the NICU but is now thriving. “He’s around seven pounds now and doing great,” Becker said.
His younger daughter, Caitlin, lives in Madison with her husband, Dylan, a recent graduate of the Madison Fire Department’s academy. Caitlin holds a master’s degree in social work and works for a nonprofit partnering with local school districts.
Community Support for the New Jail
Mayor TeStrake and Sheriff Becker also discussed the county’s significant investment in a new jail facility, which Becker called “the best thing that could have happened to Wood County.”
The sheriff praised county board members for asking tough questions and ultimately supporting the project despite rising costs. The facility, which came with a price tag exceeding $70 million due to inflation and construction costs, was deemed essential for modern public safety and inmate care.
“We didn’t get much opposition because people understood that safety is the number one priority,” said Becker. TeStrake echoed his sentiment, noting how important it was to inform Marshfield residents about the project’s purpose and benefits.
As Wood County continues evolving, Sheriff Becker said he remains committed to public service and the community that welcomed him decades ago. “You do good things for good people, and it comes back your way,” TeStrake said.

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