A forester with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was killed by a lightning strike while working in Kewaskum this week.
A statement from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office identified the man who died as DNR forester Adam Zirbel, 48, of Plymouth.
According to the sheriff’s department, law enforcement and the DNR began searching for Zirbel after he failed to return home after working in the New Fane Trail area in the Northern Unit Kettle Moraine State Forest on Sept. 22. His vehicle was found in Fond du Lac County, with the search area moving toward the Washington County line.
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His body was found in a wooded area in the town of Kewaskum at about 7:40 p.m.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division investigated, along with the DNR and the Washington County Medical Examiner’s Office. It determined that Zirbel had been killed by lightning. Investigators confirmed there had been a lightning strike in the area where he was found at 10:15 a.m. on Sept. 22.
“Adam dedicated his life to the service of others as a father, husband, community leader, and DNR forester,” Washington County Sheriff Martin Schulteis said in a statement. “He died performing a civil service to the people of Wisconsin, and for that, we are all forever grateful for his service.”
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