Local Man Drowns, Beware of Thin Ice  Monday, Dec 8, 2025

 

On Friday, December 5th, 2025, at approximately 4:17 PM, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting a missing person near the 7600 block of Perkinstown Avenue in the Township of Hammel, Taylor County. The caller further reported that her husband had been out ice fishing on Washington Flowage (which is located near their property) earlier in the afternoon, had not returned to the residence, and may have fallen through the ice.

 

Taylor County Deputies, along with Medford Fire personnel, Taylor County Emergency Management, and Taylor County EMS personnel were dispatched to the scene.

 

Upon arrival to Washington Flowage, emergency personnel observed a single sled trail leading out to an open area on the ice. A sled was also observed in the open area of water. Wings of Hope and Bruce’s Legacy were both contacted for their specialized equipment and expertise in open water searches, along with the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team.

 

The missing male subject was located deceased in the water and carefully recovered. The deceased male was identified as: 69-year-old Randall K. Runge of Medford. There is no indication of foul play.

 

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our condolences to the family of the deceased. We would also like to extend our gratitude towards the non-profit organizations, Wings of Hope and Bruce’s Legacy, along with the other emergency personnel that assisted.

 

This investigation is still ongoing.