Woman Sentenced in Hit and Run of Officer

A Brookfield woman was sentenced Thursday to eight months in work-release jail for a December 2009 hit-and-run that injured Brookfield Police Officer Paul Dilger, forcing him into disability retirement.

Christine Druecke, 53, pleaded guilty to felony hit-and-run causing injury, a charge that was reduced from the original felony hit-and-run causing substantial injury that carried a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

She must report to jail Friday.

The court file reviewed by Waukesha County Circuit Judge Kathryn Foster was packed with letters in support for Druecke, operator of Salto Gyms in Brookfield.

Dilger was last month, following rehabilitation that was unsuccessful in returning him to the force.

Dilger, who joined the Brookfield Police Department in April 2003, was struck while walking on the side of North Avenue with two fellow officers shortly after midnight Dec. 11, 2009. The driver didn't stop.

He suffered a head injury and was treated at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital. Druecke turned herself in three days later, saying she might be responsible because she noticed damage and had thought she hit a deer until she heard about the officer.

Stay tuned to Brookfield Patch for a more comprehensive story about today's sentencing hearing.