Todd Kuschel

MADISON - Todd Bruce Kuschel, age 69, of Madison, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2025. He was born on September 23, 1955, in Appleton, the son of Leonard and Virginia (Anderson) Kuschel.

Todd was educated in the Middleton school system and after graduating from Middleton High School, he went onto a career in Law Enforcement. His career began with the Dane County Sheriff’s Department as a part-time Deputy Sheriff from 1975-1977. He then joined the Verona Police Department as a part-time Police Officer from 1976-1978. He then joined the Village of Shorewood Hills Police Department as a part-time Detective from 1983-1992.

In 1978 Todd joined the University of Wisconsin-Madsion Police Department and stayed with the department until 2005 - a span of 27 years. During his tenure at the UW-Madison Police Department, he steadily rose through the ranks starting with his promotion to Police Sargent in 1992 and followed by a promotion to Lieutenant in 1996. In 2001, he was elevated to Police Captain where he remained until 2003 when he was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police and remained in that position until 2005.  

During his time at the UW-Madison Police Department, Todd saw a lot of opportunities for change during his years of service. He was the department’s first “community officer “, helping to lay the groundwork for a robust community policing framework. As a Sargeant, he was instrumental in helping the UW-Madsion Police Department form solid relationships within the UW Hospital System.

As an evening Patrol Lieutenant, Todd’s guidance was recognized for being able to help save many who were “on the ropes” and was able to enhance other officers’ skill and raise their potential. Then as a Captain he returned to the health science area with a focus on centralized access control along with the development of the health science campus.

During the direct impact of Sept. 11, 2001, Todd worked in tandem with other personnel to help design a reorganization of the department to see it expand and grow. He was also an integral part of the department’s establishment of emergency planning, management and response. He was able to help build the foundation that enabled the department to rise to the next level of emergency and recovery planning.  

After retiring from the UW-Madison Police in 2005, Todd was able to serve the Village of Cross Plains as Interim Police Chief from January 2005 until September 2005. He then went on to join the Wisconsin State Capital Police in 2006 as a Police Officer and stay in that position up until 2011. In 2011 he became the Deputy Incident Commander and Incident Commander, at which time he helped coordinate police from 200 municipalities from across the state of Wisconsin to help with the Capital protests that were taking place. He was promoted to Police Captain in 2012 and maintained that position until 2016.

During his time with the Capital Police, Todd was involved in various activities including, but not limited to, ICS/ Emergency Management Instruction where he was one of the instructors to conduct ICS training classes for the State of Wisconsin; coordinated and conducted ICS training classes for Madison College; and instructed/briefed elected officials throughout the state in ICS.

Todd was also a Program and Planning Analyst for the Wisconsin Department of Administration and the Division of State Facilities where he coordinated with numerous Wisconsin state agencies to develop the Continuity of Operations Plan to provide alternative facilities during an emergency evacuation. He also continued as an Instructor and Coordinator for UW-Madison throughout his time with the Capital Police.

After leaving his position with the Capital Police in 2016, Todd became the Director of Security for Charter Communications and the Central Region Director responsible for 6 states from 2016 to 2018. He was also a Long-Term Recovery Case Management Supervisor for Sauk County from October 2018 to December 2019, where he assisted victims of the 2018 flooding with their unmet needs. From January to May 2020, he was the Continuity of Operations Manager for the Department of Children and Families for the State of Wisconsin.

Todd continued his involvement with the State of Wisconsin through the Department of Administration until the time of his death in various capacities, including employee wellness and peer support, respite for First Responders and as an advocate for referring to persons affected by tragedies as survivors and not victims to help assist them in healing through more of a positive mindset.

Todd interacted with and touched the lives of a diverse group of people throughout his career. His skill set as a senior manager was diverse and allowed him to manage staff, set standards, plan and implement development, review and test training methodologies, monitor progress and drive continual improvement. He worked with high level government officials in emergency management, was able to apply an innovative approach and had the ability to bring diverse groups together to build consensus. Todd was a beloved and highly respected member of the various professional communities he was involved in throughout his career.

Outside of his work, Todd loved spending time at his hobby farm where he would tear down and/or repair buildings to allow storage of vehicles for private and local municipalities. He also enjoyed trading trucks and cars. He loved spending time with his nieces and nephews and was able to bring joy and happiness to both them and himself. Todd was a very caring person and would go out of his way to help someone in need.

Todd is survived by his brothers, Eric and Bruce (Theresa) Kuschel; nephew, Brandon Kuschel; nieces, Brittany Kuschel and Alyssa (Adam) Smith; great-niece, Annabelle Smith; and great -nephews, Anderson and Asher Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025. Burial will take place at Sunset Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday.
 

In lieu flowers, memorials may be made to the Dane County Department of Human Services Children’s Fund.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761