Drunk Wisconsin judge pulled over, tries to avoid arrest: ‘Where’s the ol’ police courtesy?’
Police bodycam video shows Judge Eric Lundell asked for “police courtesy” when he was pulled over in Hudson, Wisconsin. Despite blowing over the legal limit, he was not arrested.
HUDSON, Wis. — Police bodycam video shows Judge Eric Lundell asked for “police courtesy” when he was pulled over for suspected drunk driving in Hudson, Wisconsin. Despite blowing over the legal limit, he was not arrested.
Around 1:30 p.m. on a Saturday, Lundell – who had just moved out of his chambers – was stopped by police after clipping a metal pole near an ATM, KSTP reports.
On the video, officers said the 71-year-old man had bloodshot eyes and smelled of alcohol.
The two responding officers recognized Lundell. Sergeant Brad Kusmirek was called in for backup. The judge appeared to recognize Kusmirek.
Lundell: “Here’s what’s going on, Brad. My wife left me. I’m having a really bad time. I decided to retire, I’m retiring Jan. 1. I don’t need this.”
Kusmirek:“Well, I know what you’re saying your honor, but you have to understand the position we’re in correct?”
Lundell:“Well, where’s the ol’ police courtesy?”
The judge was persistent.
Lundell:“You can tell I’m not bad at all. You can tell that. So, just give me one police courtesy one time in my whole career. If you want to ride with me home, fine. Come on, Brad.”
Kusmirek:“I’m going to handle this like I would for anyone else. I understand you want some police courtesy right now, but if I get caught or it gets released to the media that I didn’t do my job because of who you are, my career is over.”
Lundell eventually agreed to a field sobriety test. The officers asked him to stand on one leg.
“I can’t do it,” Lundell said. “I’ll try again.”
Despite failing that test, an officer told the judge he would not be arrested. The officer was backed up by his sergeant.
“Based on your age, I don’t feel comfortable arresting anyone based off a one leg stand,” the officer said.
After that, the officers asked Lundell to take a breathalyzer test. They said if it was low enough, he could drive himself home.
“You’re a .129 sir,” an officer said. “You are over the legal limit. I can’t let you drive it anymore.”
Still, no arrest.
Lundell:“I won’t drink and drive, OK? Thank you for your courtesy.”
Officer:“No problem. Have a good day sir.”
Hudson Police Chief Geoff Willems defended his officers.
“Anytime you have different officers different experience levels, different training, you have a potential for different outcome. Maybe,” Willems said. “Maybe I would have arrested him. It depends. I wasn’t there. I didn’t see everything that he saw. “
Willems called the incident a learning opportunity. He said they could have asked the judge to do more sobriety tests before letting him go, but he doesn’t believe Lundell received special treatment.
KSTP tried to get Lundell’s side of the story, but did not receive a response from him.
Wisconsin drunk driving crackdown, holiday travel campaign
Published December 20, 2025 8:20pm CST
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Drive Sober or Get Pulled over in Wisconsin
With the holiday hustle here, Wisconsin law enforcement officers will participate in the annual, nationwide Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.
The Brief
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- Wisconsin law enforcement officers will be on patrol through the holidays.
- It’s part of the annual, nationwide Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.
- Last holiday season, Wisconsin saw 403 crashes that involved impaired drivers.
MILWAUKEE – With the holiday hustle here, and folks gearing up to get on the road, Wisconsin law enforcement officers will be on patrol in hopes of cutting down on crashes and decreasing deaths.
Driver Sober campaign
Local perspective:
AAA said more than 100 million people will be driving for year-end trips, but before the tires turn, law enforcement agencies want to make sure drivers aren’t drunk.
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“We’re trying to make those traffic stops, trying to stop those impaired drivers, before they end in tragedy,” said Anna Schopp, a Wisconsin State Patrol trooper.
Wisconsin State Patrol
Schopp said the Wisconsin State Patrol is focusing on the annual, nationwide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. It’s a push to educate people about the dangers of driving drunk, and it includes extra patrols.
“It’s just important for all of us out on the road that everybody gets to where they need to go,” she said, and get there safely.
Impaired driving in Wisconsin
By the numbers:
Schopp said, during the last holiday season, Wisconsin saw 403 crashes that involved impaired drivers. Nine people died, and 169 people were injured, in those crashes – sobering statistics that the trooper said can be avoided.
“Alcohol may affect everybody differently, so if you think that you might be impaired, you probably are,” said Schopp.
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What you can do:
Schopp said a blood alcohol content of 0.08 will get you arrested. She said, when patrolling, they look for things like very slow or very high speeds, driving at night with lights off, and lane deviation. She encourages people to use ridsehare services or sober drivers if needed.
“Do what you can to prevent that impaired driver from driving. If you can, safely remove the vehicles, have a conversation with them, and just make sure they don’t get behind the wheel and start driving,” she said.
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Why you should care:
Schopp also asks drivers to call 911 if they see impaired drivers on the road. She said an OWI can cost you up to $10,000, a night in jail and possibly someone’s life.
The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign runs through Jan. 1.
