MONROE — A former Pecatonica High School teacher accused of sexual assault is aiming to return to public service as a Green County EMS crew member.
Ricky Hendrickson, 28, resigned from his position as English teacher in Blanchardville in March 2024 amid an investigation of inappropriate conduct and sexual assault of a student. He was officially charged in Lafayette County Court in September 2024 and signed a signature bond. Judge Jane Bucher gave a court order for him to have no contact with Pecatonica schools or its staff, to have no unsupervised contact with unrelated minors, and to have no contact with the victims or witnesses at their residence or place of employment.
The case stems from an incident reported in February 2024 when he allegedly groped a high school student while alone in a school office. An investigation was launched and led by Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office Detective Matthew Edge and Lafayette County Human Services Family Service Manager Kris Flemming. According to the criminal complaint, more than 25 people were interviewed, and further allegations of misconduct were uncovered — like inappropriate and vulgar language, sexually suggestive charged comments directed at students, and sharing photos of himself in underwear with certain students.
Hendrickson, a Pecatonica Class of 2015 graduate, has a history in healthcare. He was a certified nursing assistant (CNA) during high school. While in the nursing program at Southwest Technical College, he was hired by SSM Monroe Hospital as an emergency room technician before graduation in 2017. He has also volunteered as a paramedic in Blanchardville. He has worked in some capacity as a nurse since. He began part-time teaching in the 2021-2022 school year, and moved to full-time status with the district for the 2023-2024 instructional year, teaching English for grades 10-12.
Hendrickson also had a coffee shop business in Lafayette County.
Hendrickson has an infant at home with his wife and has been seeking full-time employment while out on bond. Green County EMS needs more crew members. According to a letter written to the court in late April 2025 by Green County EMS Chief Dan Nufer “formally acknowledge our awareness of the ongoing criminal case and allegations made against” Hendrickson, but requested his bond be amended so he can serve with an EMS unit.
Nufer said that Green County EMS only serves Blanchardville in “extreme circumstances” and that he would implement accommodations to ensure Hendrickson not be assigned to or respond to any 911 calls originating in the Blanchardville area. He also said there is a protocol that ensures supervision for any 911 responses that would involve minors.
“This step is being taken to maintain the highest level of safety, accountability and public trust,” Nufer wrote. “These accommodations have been made with careful consideration to protect both the public and the integrity of our service, while allowing Mr. Hendrickson to obtain gainful employment and serve his community.
“It is our request that the bond conditions of Mr. Hendrickson’s release pertaining to coming into contact with Pecatonica School or its staff, contact with unrelated minors, and direct/indirect contact with Victims, Witnesses, or their residences be waived while on the job for Green County EMS.”
Lafayette County District Attorney Morgan Johanning told the court that the filed letter from Nufer was not given to the State prior to the April 29, 2025 status conference, and requested the court deny the bond modification or hold until a further court date.
Hendrickson’s next day in Lafayette County Circuit Court is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, June 18. He currently faces four felony charges in total — one count of Sex Assault of a Student by School Staff (class H) and three counts of Expose Child to Harmful Descriptions (class I).