Medford man slain

A 31-year-old Medford man is dead and his attacker faces life in prison following an incident at the Do-Dodge-Inn bar in Eau Claire on Dec. 14.

Alex Graff, 31, of Medford, was out with a friend at the bar when he was attacked by Anthony Jackson, 44, of Eau Claire. Graff had been in Eau Claire visiting a friend.

Alex Graff is the son of Timothy Graff of Athens and Lori Totzke of Abbotsford. He is a 2012 Colby High School graduate and worked as a service tech for Energi Tech in Appleton.

According to the Eau Claire Police Department, a 9-1-1 call came in just after 6 p.m. with a report of a stabbing at the bar. Eau Claire County sheriff’s deputies and Eau Claire police responded. Officers and bystanders attempted life saving measures on Graff but he died from his injuries.

“He wasn’t alone,” said Taylor County Sheriff Larry Woebbeking of Graff. He said as a parent himself it is important that people were with Graff and attempting to help him immediately after the attack.

Woebbeking happened to be off duty and at the scene when the incident occurred and was the first to administer first aid and comfort to Graff as they awaited the arrival of emergency medical services.

Woebbeking said he and his fiancee and another couple were at the tavern when the incident occurred. He said he had noticed Jackson in the bar acting odd and at one point Jackson had brushed into him where he was standing talking to another patron.

According to video surveillance and witness statements from the Do-Dodge-Inn, the suspect, Jackson, approached Graff and his friend and stabbed Graff multiple times. Police say the attack ap-

See ATTACK on page 10 peared unprovoked and that Jackson also attempted to stab Graff’s friend.

Graff was transported to a local hospital where he died of his injuries. Jackson was apprehended on the scene.

According to police Graff and Jackson were not previously acquainted.

Attorney Peter Rindal of the Eau Claire County District Attorney’s office has filed charges against Jackson for first degree intentional homicide with a dangerous weapon, attempted first degree homicide with a dangerous weapon and two counts of felony bail jumping. If convicted Jackson faces up to life in prison on the homicide charge, up to 60 years in prison for the attempted homicide and up to six years in prison for each of the bail jumping charges.

According to the criminal complaint, on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at approximately 6:10 PM, officers were dispatched to the Do-Dodge-Inn, located at 1339 Menomonie Street in the city and county of Eau Claire, in reference to a reported fight.

As Officer Lucas Tisol approached the scene, he was advised that an Eau Claire County Sheriffs Deputy Wiliam Prudick was on scene and with a subject, Anthony Jackson, being held at gunpoint.

A black folded knife with an eagle design on the handle was found in one of Jackson's front pockets. The knife was seized as evidence.

Officers arriving on scene assisted the victim, who was laying on the sidewalk in front of the Do-Dodge-Inn parking lot with a large crowd of bystanders gathered around.

Woebbeking described the chaos in the tavern following the incident with people yelling and running. He said they made their way out of the bar to see what help was needed. He said he noticed Graff’s friend standing nearby and looked for where Graff had gone. He found him on the ground near a vehicle.

Woebbeking immediately began to render aid, and get Graff into a position where he could breathe easier while talking to him. Another bystander joined in providing aid and attempting to put pressure on the wounds to try and stop the bleeding.

Officers attempted to render aid and stop Graff’s bleeding observing what appeared to be a puncture wound on his upper left chest.

A chest seal was applied and Graff was rolled over, whereupon the officer observed a large, approximately 3-inch slice in the center of his back. Officers continued life-saving measures until it appeared Graff was no longer conscious or breathing, at which point CPR was administered.

Emergency medical personnel arrived and Graff was transported from the scene to Mayo Hospital.

According to the complaint, witnesses at the bar said they had been seated at a table in the pool and dart area of the bar and that Jackson had been pacing around the back area of the bar, seemingly talking to himself and acting strange.

The group indicated that the suspect opened a large hunting-type knife and held it behind his back before he confronted the victim seemingly about a funny look Graff had given Jackson, from what the group could tell. The group said a very short verbal altercation followed at the end of which Jackson, with his right hand, plunged the knife into Graff.

According to the complaint, hospital staff told officers that Graff had likely suffered a stab wound to the heart and had suffered sustained blood loss.

On Tuesday, Jackson was in Eau Claire County Court for an initial hearing. The court ordered a $2 million cash bond on the homicide charge and that a $7,500 cash bond be imposed on other outstanding charges.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 26 at 2:30 p.m.