The Outagamie County Courthouse. February 9, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A man was arrested for allegedly trying to set the Outagamie County courthouse Pride flag on fire.
Around 10 a.m. Monday, staff with the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Justice Unit noticed a man tampering with the flags on the flag pole outside of the main entrance to the Outagamie County Courthouse complex, located at 320 South Walnut Street in Appleton.
Police say the man lowered the flags and removed the Pride flag from the pole. He then laid the flag out on the ground and began covering it with gasoline in the parking lot. Deputies with the Sheriff’s Office confronted and subdued the man prior to him being able to ignite the flag.
The man, Steven William Paltzer, 49, of Appleton, was booked into the Outagamie County Jail and officials say formal charges are pending.
The county wrote:
Outagamie County has zero tolerance for destructive, hateful, or threatening behavior of this kind. This incident is being taken seriously, not only because of the dangerous nature of the act, but because it targeted a symbol of inclusion, dignity, and support for members of our community.
A new Pride flag is already flying proudly.
Outagamie County will not be intimidated or deterred from showing its support for all residents. As Pride Month begins, the County stands strong in its commitment to fostering a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive community.
The investigation remains ongoing.
“This act does not reflect who we are as a county,” Outagamie County executive, Thomas Nelson wrote. “We are proud to stand with our LGBTQ+ community today and every day. Attempts to spread fear or division will not succeed here. We have already raised a new Pride flag because Outagamie County remains committed to respect, inclusion, and belonging for all.”
Anyone with information regarding this suspect or the incident can call Sgt. James Wall at 920-832-5498 or James.Wall@Outagamie.gov.
In Madison, Gov. Tony Evers raised the Progress Pride Flag over the state capitol building Monday, kicking off Pride Month in Wisconsin.
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