Ex Eleva chief guilty of DUI

The former chief of police for the village of Eleva has been convicted of first-offense driving under the influence.

Patrick McKillip, 54, of Chippewa Falls, has had his driver’s license revoked for six months and is required to attend alcohol assessment and classes on driver safety following his conviction last Tuesday. He was also fined $199 and is required to pay court costs of $699. A second traffic offense, of having blood alcohol levels above the legal limit of .08 but below 0.15, was dismissed.

McKillip’s penalties are typical for a first-time offense, according to the state department of transportation.

McKillip was arrested for driving under the influence on Jan. 5 when his squad car hit a deer while McKillip was responding to an emergency call. Officers who investigated the accident suspected McKillip had been drinking and arrested him. He had been an Eleva officer since 1998.

McKillip was the village’s only officer and the village’s squad car was damaged in the accident. 

Sheriff Brett Semingson said deputies will continue to respond to Eleva calls until the village hires officers. Village president Rodger Forsythe could not be reached for comment.