Judge Todd W. Bjerke retired July 31, 2023 after 39 years of public service. He served as a Circuit Court Judge for 16 years and as an Assistant District Attorney for 17 years in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. He worked as an Assistant County Attorney for two years in Redwood County, Minnesota. Bjerke was a judge advocate with the military for 30 years, serving on active duty with the Marine Corps and then the Army Reserve, retiring as a Colonel. During his career, Bjerke focused on addressing mental health issues. He chaired a Wisconsin state wide task force addressing attorney well being; chaired the Wisconsin Lawyer Assistance Program committee, and served on boards for the National Alliance for Mental Health-La Crosse and Vernon Counties, a local respite facility, an overdose fatality review team, a local mental health coalition, a campaign to promote mental well being, and the La Crosse Area Veterans Mentor Program. Judge Bjerke presided over the La Crosse Area Veterans Court, which is a regional treatment court for veterans, for the last 13 years.
Class of 1984