State Senator Rick Gudex Passes Away at 48

Rick Gudex (R-Fond du Lac), the 48-year-old Republican representative of the 18th Senate District of Wisconsin, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016. The Fond du Lac County sheriff’s office announced that their preliminary investigation found the cause of death to be from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Elected officials across the aisle and throughout all levels of government expressed sorrow at the news of the tragedy, with many commenting on the exemplary record of Gudex. Gov. Scott Walker released a statement commemorating Gudex, writing, “Rick was a good man who served his community and state well, and he will be missed.”

A memorial service was held for the senator on Monday, Oct. 17. In Gudex’s honor, Walker ordered flags to be lowered to half-mast for the day.