WPPA TO PRESENT SERVICE AWARDS AT ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2007
Contact: Judy Urso, 800.362.8838

Madison - MADISON—The Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA) announced today the recipients of the service awards that it will be presenting at its annual convention, which will be held on May 19-21 at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells. Each year the WPPA recognizes members and citizens for extraordinary acts of heroism and service to their communities. An awards ceremony will be conducted at an evening banquet on Sunday, May 20.

The WPPA’s annual convention encompasses educational seminars, organizational meetings, and a variety of family-oriented social events. This year’s convention will also celebrate the WPPA’s 75 year history of representing Wisconsin’s law enforcement community.

The state’s largest law enforcement group, the WPPA’s primary mission is to protect and promote public safety, as well as the interests of the dedicated men and women who serve to provide it. With nearly 11,000 members from more than 375 local associations, WPPA members come from city, village, town, and county departments from all across Wisconsin. Beginning in 1932 as a fraternal organization, the WPPA has grown to represent its members at the bargaining table, in the workplace, as well as in the state legislature.

THE WPPA’S 2007 SERVICE AWARDS

AWARD FOR VALOR

The 2007 Award for Valor, WPPA’s highest award, will be presented to West Allis Police Officer Nicholas Pye for his actions on May 13, 2006, when he responded to a 911 call reporting a man stabbing his mother. Officer Pye’s quick response and actions that day saved the life of an elderly woman and prevented injury to other residents of the building

MERITORIOUS AWARD

Four officers will receive the WPPA Meritorious Award for performing their duties with great courage, ability, and devotion to police service:

Onalaska Police Officer Daniel McCluskey for his actions on March 24, 2006, when he conducted a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle containing four individuals and, even though he was injured, he bravely affected the arrest;

La Crosse Police Officer Thad Baldwin for his actions on March 25, 2006, when he initiated a traffic stop on Sill Street in the City of La Crosse and displayed great courage in aiding a fellow officer; and

Madison Police Officers Kipling Kellogg and Kirby E. Harless for their actions on April 12, 2006, when they responded to a call at the BP gas station on Williamson Street in the City of Madison.

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT

In addition to the awards presented at the Annual Convention, the WPPA has presented Certificates of Merit in recognition of their efforts in the best interests of police service to the following officers:

Police Officers Chad Marcon and Shawn Robinson from Onalaska for their actions on March 24, 2006, when they assisted Officer Daniel McCluskey in a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle containing four individuals.

Lieutenant Mark Collins from Vilas County and Police Officer Robert Minx from Eagle River for their actions on August 7, 2006, when they responded to a 911 call and rescued an Eagle River resident who had fallen into a lake.

Deputy Sheriffs Troy Kane and Shyla Belzer from Vilas County for their actions on October 26, 2006, when they assisted in saving the lives of three juveniles who were asleep in a burning building.

Deputy Sheriffs Lloyd Gauthier, Steven Ramm, and Lee Lech from Oneida County for their actions on July 5, 2006, when they responded to an incident involving a suicidal person and, through their teamwork, saved an individual’s life.

Police Officers Randy Johnson, Andrew Knurowski, Matthew Harris, and Christopher Romanowicz from Oshkosh for their actions on July 5, 2006, when they responded to a burning home in the City of Oshkosh and saved the lives of three children.

Police Officers Todd Carlson, Vern Holsclaw, Michelle Lear, Paul Winterscheidt, and Sergeant Nicholas Alexander from Superior for their actions on January 15, 2006, when they responded to a fire in the City of Superior and saved the lives of the occupants.

Deputy Sheriff Matthew Flynn from Dane County for his actions on January 18, 2006, when he responded to a house fire in the Town of Springfield and saved the lives of the occupants.

Police Officer Daryl Doberstein from Madison for his actions on September 27, 2006, when he responded to an incident at La Follette High School, where a student had armed himself with a knife.

Deputy Sheriffs Jon Hasselbrink and Mark Malecki from Kenosha County for their actions on October 31, 2006, when they responded to a call involving a troubled young woman who was armed with two knives.

Police Officer Jon Wenger from La Crosse for his actions on March 25, 2006, when he assisted Officer Thad Baldwin in a traffic stop, and was wounded while attempting to place one of the passengers under arrest.

Sergeant Thad Osborne and Deputy Sheriff Joanna Bartosh from Burnett County and Police Officer Thomas Savage from Village of Siren when they responded to a 911 call of shots fired in the Village of Grantsburg, and resolved the situation without harm to neighbors and other officers.

Deputy Sheriff Brad Fogerty from Oneida County for his actions on May 14, 2006, when he responded to a 911 call reporting that a three-month old child was not breathing.

Police Officer James Priebe from Sheboygan for his actions on August 8, 2006, when he responded to a 911 call reporting that a woman was being repeatedly stabbed by an assailant.

CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION

The WPPA has presented a Certificate of Recognition to three dispatchers, recognizing the role they played in resolving two separate incidents:

Gabe Taggert and Chris Foehser from Burnett County for their actions on October 8, 2006, when they handled 911 calls of shots fired. Taggert and Froehser were recognized for their efforts in helping to resolve the incident to a successful conclusion by keeping concerned citizens calm and safe from harm, and providing law enforcement officers with relevant information; and

Laura Tromp from Oneida County for her actions on May 14, 2006, when she handled a 911 call reporting that a three-month old child was not breathing. Tromp was recognized for her efforts in helping to resolve the incident by dispatching ambulance personnel and giving CPR instructions until Oneida County Deputy Brad Fogerty arrived at the scene.

CITIZEN’S AWARD

The WPPA also recognizes Wisconsin citizens for contributing to their local law enforcement. This year the WPPA presented a Citizen’s Award to Kevin Albrecht of Watertown, Wisconsin, for his actions on June 21, 2006, when he assisted a City of Watertown police officer who was struggling to detain two individuals. Mr. Albrecht was selected because of his courageous efforts to help his local law enforcement department and community.