WAUSAU, Wis (WSAU) Wausau police chief Jeff Hardel has been on medical leave for nearly a month. WAOW-TV reports he's been hospitalized and is slowly recovering from a rare, serious illness. Exactly what it is hasn't been made public.
Hardel told the TV station that it took a long time for doctors to make a correct diagnosis, and now he's in the middle of a long recovery. He says his condition is improving, and that he hopes to return to the office for a half-day tomorrow. He'll work half-days as he regains his strength.
The department has been run day-to-day by police captains Ben Blevin and Greg Hagenbucher.