Command and Staff Program

ACE Approved for 6 Hrs. of Graduate Level College Transfer

Detective Sgt. Brian Fitzsimons, Iowa County Sheriff, WI ~ [email protected] ~ 608-574-7098

Brian Fitzsimons is a Detective Sergeant for the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. His 17 years of Law enforcement experience has afforded him the opportunity to serve as a Dispatcher, Corrections Officer, Patrol Deputy, Narcotics Investigator, Emergency Response Team Sniper, Detective and Detective Sergeant. He has been influential in the development and training of Probationary Deputies by instructing Interviewing/Interrogations, Evidence/Scene Processing, and Case Management.

As a Detective Sergeant, Brian focuses on white collar, financial, and major crimes. He spearheaded a systemic change of investigating major crimes in his area by utilizing Incident and Operational Command structures to increase efficiency and accuracy. This has been proven effective in a rural Wisconsin requiring multi-jurisdictional efforts for large investigations and has led to criminal convictions for several homicides.

Detective Sgt. Richard Severson, Iowa County Sheriff, WI ~ [email protected] ~ 608-213-5609

Detective Sergeant Richard Severson is an experienced law enforcement professional with an educational background in criminal justice. A 2005 graduate of Madison East High School, he earned his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Madison Area Technical College (MATC) – Madison. He later completed his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Upper Iowa University, graduating with Cum Laude honors.

Richard began his law enforcement career in 2011 with the Village of Rio Police Department. In 2012, he joined the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office as a Correctional Officer and Dispatcher. Two years later, he was promoted to Patrol Deputy Sheriff. In 2017, he was assigned to the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force, where he continues to serve. In 2024, Richard was promoted to Detective Sergeant, a role in which he leads and assists with complex investigations and supports inter-agency collaboration.

Richard also serves as an instructor at the Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Law Enforcement Academy. He enjoys sharing his real-world experience, offering students practical insights into the many aspects of law enforcement.

Richard is committed to public safety and effective leadership in rural southwest Wisconsin.

Lt. Eric Daven, Adams County Sheriff, WI ~ [email protected] ~ 608-547-1665 ~ 608-547-1668 

Eric Daven currently serves as a Lieutenant with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office in Friendship, Wisconsin, where he oversees the Dispatch Center and Investigations Division. Lt. Daven began his law enforcement career in 2012 with the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department after previously working part-time with the Wood County Sheriff’s Office and the Pittsville Police Department.

During his thirteen years with the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department, Lt. Daven held a variety of assignments, including Patrol Officer, School Resource Officer, Detective, Detective Sergeant, and Patrol Sergeant. Throughout his career, he demonstrated a strong commitment to community engagement and proactive policing by developing and leading several community-based programs, including Caught Being Safe, Vacation Watch, Safety City, and the Children’s Fishing Contest. In recognition of his dedication and service, Lt. Daven was named Officer of the Year in 2019.

Lt. Daven has also been extensively involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics, serving on the Wisconsin State Council, volunteering at numerous events, and attending the LETR International Conference. His contributions were recognized in 2016 when he received the Wisconsin LETR Volunteer of the Year Award.

Lt. Daven earned his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Mid-State Technical College in 2011. While working full-time, he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Business Administration from Lakeland University in 2019. He is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Criminology, along with a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Leadership & Management, from Missouri State University, with an expected graduation date of May 2026.

In addition to his formal education, Lt. Daven has completed extensive specialized training throughout his career, with a focus on criminal investigations and leadership development. His recent training includes Leadership in Police Organizations and Front Line Supervisor, further reinforcing his commitment to professional growth and effective leadership in law enforcement.