27 MPD members receive merit awards
Nov. 18, 2008 - Following are the summaries of 27 brave men and women members of the Milwaukee Police Department who will receive merit awards tonight at the Milwaukee Police Academy, 6680 N. Teutonia Ave. at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium.
POLICE OFFICER GREGORY T. COLKER: On May 22, 2007 at 10:15am, officers responded to a call of shots fired in the area of the 2300 block of South Howell Avenue. A subject with a firearm attempted to rob an individual and fired two rounds from his weapon when the victim refused his demands and fled the scene. A nearby citizen observed the situation, exited his vehicle and followed the suspect as he fled on foot southbound from the scene. The citizen contacted police and provided information on the suspect’s description and the direction of travel from the scene of the attempted robbery. Officer Gregory Colker responded to the area and was flagged down twice by citizens who informed him of the suspect’s whereabouts and description. Officer Colker located the suspect at the intersection of South Kinnickinnic and Ward Street and gave repeated demands for him to stop his actions and to get down on the ground. As other officers converged the area from the south and north, the suspect continued to ignore Officer Colker’s demands, reached under a jacket and produced a firearm. With one slow deliberate motion, the suspect raised the weapon towards Officer Colker. Officer Colker fired one shot striking the suspect. Officer Colker exhibited bravery in protecting the lives of his fellow officers at the scene. His heroic performance in the face of grave personal danger and injury is in keeping with the highest and most honorable traditions of the Milwaukee Police Department.
Officer Gregory T. Colker is, therefore, awarded a Medal of Valor and three merit off days to be taken in 2009.
MICHAEL A. DANNER: On October 2, 2007 at approximately 2:45 p.m., Milwaukee Police Department officers observed a semi tractor-trailer overturned on the northbound shoulder of I-43 and a large amount of smoke emanating from the tractor’s engine compartment. As officers approached the vehicle, they further observed Michael Danner sprinting to the semi from the north. Mr. Danner jumped on top of the tractor and began to pry open the door to free the driver. While in action, Mr. Danner and the officers noticed diesel fuel spraying onto the engine block from a hose attached to the truck, which could have easily caused a possible explosion. Although they had difficulty in lifting the victim out, they were finally successful.
Michael Danner disregarded his own safety and displayed decisive and courageous behavior when he assisted in rescuing a man from a smoking semi. His selfless actions definitely prevented further injury and possibly death.
DETECTIVE PATRICK T. PAJOT, POLICE OFFICER ALEJANDRO J. ARCE & POLICE OFFICER JOSE A. LOPEZ III: On November 6, 2007 at 7:34 p.m., Detective Patrick Pajot and Officers Alejandro Arce and Jose Lopez were patrolling in the area of 14th and Greenfield when they heard a broadcast of personnel responding to a shooting in the 1200 block of West Madison Street. While enroute to that location, they observed the suspects and maneuvered their squad to block the suspects’ escape. Officer Arce, seated in the rear of the squad, opened the door to confront the armed suspects and was struck in the groin by gunfire. Officer Lopez was struck in the shoulder. Despite their severe injuries, Officer Arce obtained target acquisition and returned fire, striking the subject several times, while Officer Lopez guided resources to the scene and provided instructions to the dispatcher. Detective Pajot took control of the wounded suspect and also directed medical personnel to the scene. Both suspects in possession of handguns were arrested and subsequently found guilty for a shooting involving two citizens that occurred moments before their confrontation with police. Detective Patrick Pajot, Police Officer Alejandro Arce and Police Officer Jose Lopez’s decisive actions and courage in the face of obvious danger resulted in the capture of two dangerous criminals. Officers Arce and Lopez exhibited bravery in protecting the lives of their fellow officers. Their heroic performance, despite grave personal danger, is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Milwaukee Police Department.
Detective Patrick T. Pajot is, therefore, awarded a Meritorious Service award.
Police Officer Alejandro J. Arce and Police Officer Jose A. Lopez III are, therefore, awarded a Medal of Honor, Purple Valor and five merit off days to be taken in 2009.
POLICE OFFICER JAMES M. FOHR, POLICE OFFICER CHRISTOPHER J. FRITZ & POLICE OFFICER ROBERT F. LEMANCZYK, JR.: On November 29, 2007 at 11:20pm, Officer Fohr was securing from duty at District Four. While in the parking lot on the westside of the building, he observed fire emanating from the apartment building located in the 7300 block of West Silver Spring Drive. Officer Fohr notified the dispatcher of the situation and teamed up with Police Officers Christopher Fritz and Robert Lemanczyk and responded to the scene. They began checking the apartment for tenants who may have still been inside the building. Officer Fohr knocked on one door and heard someone inside. After receiving no response to his request to open the door, he forced it open and found a lone occupant still inside the apartment. Officer Fohr quickly escorted the tenant from his apartment to an area of safety, just moments prior to the unit exploding. The apartment building has a total of sixteen units and the fire had spread to eight of the units. Police Officers James Fohr, Christopher Fritz and Robert Lemanczyk exhibited keen observation skills and went beyond the call of duty by entering a burning building to search for occupants, placing themselves in a situation of danger in the protection of life.
Police Officer James M. Fohr, Police Officer Christopher J. Fritz and Police Officer Robert F. Lemanczyk are, therefore, awarded a Meritorious Service award.
DETECTIVE BRIAN D. HECK: On December 27, 2007 at 1:05pm, Detective Heck was investigating a burglary complaint in the 1300 block of West Vliet Street when he was approached by a hysterical woman who advised him that her ex-boyfriend had just threatened her and her daughter with a firearm while they were traveling in his vehicle. The suspect beat her and then forced the woman to exit the vehicle, but would not allow her daughter to leave with her. The armed suspect drove away with her daughter still in the vehicle, without her daughter’s consent. Detective Heck immediately initiated an investigation, which lead him to the cell phone number of the victim. He made contact with the victim and was informed that the suspect was still armed. Detective Heck worked to negotiate with the subject to persuade him to release the young woman at a public location unharmed. Detective Heck dialogued with the suspect for over two hours, finally convincing him to release the young woman unharmed. The victim was located and safely returned without injury. Detective Heck continued to dialogue with the suspect in an attempt to persuade him to turn himself in, but he refused. The suspect was subsequently arrested at a later date. Detective Heck’s quick thinking, resourcefulness, tenacity and persuasive communication resulted in the safe return of a child being held by an armed suspect. Detective Heck has had no formal training in hostage negotiations, but was instead able to call upon his years of experience, verbal and interview skills to convince an armed suspect to release his victim uninjured.
Detective Brian D. Heck is, therefore, awarded a Meritorious Service award.
POLICE SERGEANT STERLING M. HARDING, JR., POLICE OFFICER KURT D. KEZESKE, POLICE OFFICER MARTIN SAAVEDRA & POLICE OFFICER TIMOTHY ZIELINSKI: On December 31, 2007, at 5:08 a.m., squads were dispatched to the 2900 block of South 9th Street for a subject with a weapon, who had barricaded himself in a bedroom of the residence. The suspect was holding his estranged girlfriend against her will and claimed to be armed with a handgun and knife. Sergeant Sterling and Officers Kezeske, Saavedra and Zielinski arrived at the scene and attempted to negotiate with the suspect, who continued to escalate the situation. Suddenly, the suspect emerged from the bedroom holding a large butcher knife to the throat of his estranged girlfriend and began to stab her. Officer Zielinski deployed his taser, causing the suspect to loose his grip on the woman. Sergeant Harding rescued the severely injured woman from the floor and removed her from the residence. Officer Saavedra then carried her across the street to a secure area and performed life saving measures until medical personnel arrived. Unfortunately, the woman’s injury was fatal. Officer Kezeske became aware that the suspect was still combative with the officers inside the residence. When he returned, he observed two officers who appeared to be trapped at knifepoint. Upon seeing Officer Kezeske, the suspect turned toward him and raised his knife. Officer Kezeske, fearing for his safety and the safety of the trapped officers, fired two rounds, striking the suspect. Sergeant Sterling Harding and Officers Kurt Kezeske, Martin Saavedra and Timothy Zielinski exhibited extraordinary bravery and exceptional tactical skill in this situation. Their training, resourcefulness, and quick thinking enabled them to prevent injury to themselves and other officers.
Sergeant Sterling M. Harding, Jr., Officer Kurt D. Kezeske, Officer Martin Saavedra, and Officer Timothy J. Zielinski are, therefore awarded a Meritorious Service award.
NETWORK COORDINATOR SENIOR PIER EILAND: On January 17, 2008 at 1:19pm, while in the 900 block of North 19th Street, Network Coordinator Senior Pier Eiland observed two suspects running across a vacant lot. One suspect removed his jacket and cap, tossing them on the ground as he fled. Ms. Eiland assumed that the suspects were running to avoid being captured. Therefore, she exited her department vehicle and ran after the suspects without regard of her own personal safety. Ms. Eiland contacted the Communications Division via her cellular phone providing descriptions of the suspects, their direction of flight and the location of where one of the suspects discarded his outerwear. The suspects were located by a squad in the area and were found to be wanted for driving a stolen vehicle and leaving an accident scene involving that vehicle. Ms. Eiland made identification of the suspects and cleared a third subject who had been stopped as part of the investigation. Network Coordinator Eiland made a significant contribution to the mission of the Department beyond the ordinary call of duty, displayed resourcefulness and assisted officers in the apprehension of two wanted subjects.
Network Coordinator Pier Eiland is, therefore, awarded a Meritorious Service award.
POLICE OFFICER DANIEL L. ROBINSON & POLICE OFFICER ADAM K. ZIEGER: On February 12, 2008 at 3:54 p.m., Officers Daniel Robinson and Adam Zieger were on patrol in the area of North 28th and West Chambers Street when they observed an individual walking in the roadway, concealing his face with a ski mask. The officers attempted to conduct a field interview, but the subject retreated northbound towards the back of the squad car. The subject was ordered to stop, however, refused and ran around the back of the squad towards the driver’s side of the squad. As the subject was attempting to flee, officers observed him retrieve a handgun from his coat pocket. Officer Zieger took cover behind the rear passenger side of the squad and immediately heard the sound of gunshots coming from the driver’s side of the squad. Both officers, believing that the other may have been shot, obtained a target acquisition while the subject still had his weapon raised and pointed in their direction. Both officers fired shots toward the subject, who was observed fleeing in a southeasterly direction from the scene and still pointing the handgun at them. The suspect fell to the ground and officers ordered him to drop his weapon. The suspect refused and continued to point the weapon in their direction. Officers Robinson and Zieger fired a second volley of shots to stop the suspect’s actions. The suspect finally dropped his weapon and the officers began to perform lifesaving efforts. Officers Daniel Robinson and Adam Zieger exhibited bravery in the face of grave danger. Their heroic actions exemplify the highest and most honorable traditions of the Milwaukee Police Department.
Police Officer Daniel L. Robinson and Police Officer Adam K. Zieger are, therefore, awarded a Medal of Valor and three merit off days to be taken in 2009.
POLICE OFFICER ROBERT S. THIEL & POLICE OFFICER CHAD D. VARTANIAN: On February 15, 2008 at 9:10 p.m., Police Officers Robert Thiel and Chad Vartanian were assisting another squad in an attempt to locate a sexual assault suspect in the 3900 block of North 28th Street. While at the residence, the officers encountered a suspect in the stairwell of the property. When the suspect was ordered to remove his hands from his pockets, the officers observed him remove a large kitchen knife. The suspect was ordered to drop the knife. Instead, he refused and swung it with his right hand at Officer Thiel in an attempt to stab or cut him. Officer Thiel was stuck in the stairwell with no possible means of escape. Fearing for his life, Officer Thiel fired one shot, striking the suspect. The suspect turned around and fled down the stairs toward the exterior door of the residence. Officer Vartanian and other officers followed the suspect and again ordered him to drop the knife. The suspect fell at the landing and threw the knife down the stairs toward the basement floor. The officers secured the suspect, provided first aid, and summoned medical assistance. Officers Robert Thiel and Chad Vartanian exhibited extraordinary bravery and resourcefulness. They utilized their training to prevent injury to themselves and other officers.
Police Officer Robert S. Thiel and Police Officer Chad D. Vartanian are, therefore, awarded a Meritorious Service award.
POLICE OFFICER KURT T. DANIEL & POLICE OFFICER SHARHRIAR A. SOLATI: On February 16, 2008 at 4:46am, Police Officers Kurt Daniel and Sharhriar Solati were in the area of North 95th Street and West Sheridan Avenue attempting to locate a suspect in a domestic violence incident when they noticed smoke emanating from an apartment complex in the 9400 block of West Sheridan Avenue. They quickly responded and observed the upper east side of the apartment engulfed in smoke and flames. Officer Daniel and Officer Solati ran up to the apartment complex and began pounding on doors and windows to alert sleeping tenants of the fire. Persons residing in units 1-3 were safely removed, however, residents were still inside unit 4. Although the officers were met with a wall of smoke and searing heat, they were able to locate and remove a woman from the residence. She suffered severe burns to her arms and hands. The woman informed the officers that her baby was still inside the residence. Officers Daniel and Solati made several attempts to gain entry into the burning apartment by using water soaked towels and pillows to cover their faces and mouths because of the black smoke and heat. The officers were unable to remove the baby. Fire Department personnel arrived on the scene and used their protective equipment to reach the baby. Officers Kurt Daniel and Sharhriar Solati are directly responsible for saving a human life by rescuing an injured woman from her burning residence.
Police Officer Kurt T. Daniel and Police Officer Sharhriar A. Solati are, therefore, awarded a Medal of Valor award and three merit day off to be taken in 2009.
POLICE OFFICER FAWN M. GABRIELSON & POLICE OFFICER KIERAN J. SAWYER: On March 26, 2008 at 5:15pm, Police Officers Fawn Gabrielson and Kieran Sawyer were working in an undercover capacity in the area of the 3900 block of West North Avenue when they observed a male riding a bicycle westbound on the sidewalk. The bicyclist was being followed by three young males. One of the males ran up behind the bicyclist and punched him in the head, knocking the individual from the bicycle. A second male approached and began to punch the bicyclist in the face. As the assault continued, the bicyclist had fallen into the traffic lanes of the roadway in the middle of West North Avenue. A crowd of about six or seven males joined in and began to kick and punch the victim while he lay in the street. Some of the crowd found bricks and stones and were about to begin throwing them at the victim. The officers alerted the dispatcher to the situation and promptly responded to the scene. Officer Sawyer identified himself as a police officer and ordered the suspect to stop his assault. One suspect fled on foot and he gave chase eastbound on West North Avenue. Meanwhile, Officer Gabrielson dragged the victim from the roadway to a safe location nearby. Soon after, a large, angry crowd began to form around them. She placed the victim in her undercover vehicle and drove away while broadcasting the foot pursuit and summoning medical attention. Officer Sawyer was able to apprehend one suspect. This suspect provided additional information on the whereabouts of the other suspect wanted in this offense. Officer Sawyer, accompanied by other officers, located the other suspect and apprehended him at his home. Numerous people gathered around the residence of the arrested suspect and another perpetrator was identified and arrested. Officers Fawn Gabrielson and Kieran Sawyer prevented serious injury to the bicyclist by stopping the assault. They also displayed tremendous courage in confronting a large, angry crowd while in an undercover capacity, displaying a high degree of commitment to the successful resolution of the incident.
Police Officer Fawn M. Gabrielson and Police Officer Kieran J. Sawyer are, therefore, awarded a Meritorious Service award.
JACOB P. JOHNSRUD: On April 14, 2008 at 7:55 a.m., Jacob Johnsrud, a Manitowoc Paramedic and Firefighter, was at his fiancée’s house when he observed a mother and her adult daughter across the street screaming and running out of the house. After noticing the mother covered in blood, he immediately went outside to check on her welfare. She was trying to talk, but the deep laceration to her neck stopped her. Based on his training and experience as a paramedic, he immediately took off his sweatshirt and put it around the victim’s neck and applied pressure to stop the bleeding. While tending to the victim’s injury and trying to keep her calm, he observed the suspect walking across the street, suffering from self-inflicted lacerations to both arms. Meanwhile, Mr. Johnsrud’s fiancé took the victim’s daughter into the house. As the suspect got closer, Mr. Johnsrud noticed a knife in the suspect’s hand and yelled at him several times to get back. Eventually, the suspect turned and began walking towards the other side of the street. Mr. Johnsrud continued to tend to the victim and stayed alert for the suspect without regard for his own safety. He remained with the victim, applying pressure to her neck and protecting her until personnel from the Milwaukee Fire Department and Police Department arrived. Jacob P. Johnsrud saved the woman’s life through his selfless and fearless actions. If he had not taken the initiative to come to her aid, it is probable that the suspect may have continued to attack her. When the armed and dangerous suspect approached them, Jacob Johnsrud displayed great bravery by staying with the victim and yet maintaining control of her bleeding. Even though he had no means to protect himself, he ordered the suspect away and prevented further harm to her, and possibly death.
POLICE OFFICER MICHAEL A. ANTONIAK & POLICE OFFICER ERIC A. PHILLIPS: On May 2, 2008 at 2:50am, Officers Michael Antoniak and Eric Phillips were patrolling in the alleys of the 3100 block of West Scott Street when they observed smoke and flames emanating from an apartment complex. The officers notified the dispatcher of the situation and then began to check the apartment for occupants. The officers were forced to break out a small window to reach in and unlock the apartment door. They pounded on the doors to awaken the sleeping occupants and alert them to the fire in the building. Officer Phillips escorted one family to safety while his partner carried the youngest child from the apartment unit. The officers returned to the apartment and directed their attention to the upper units. Officer Antoniak carried two children from one of the upper units. The officers then forced the doors of two other units, but they were unoccupied. Officers Michael Antoniak and Eric Phillips are directly responsible for saving multiple lives with their courage and disregard for their own personal safety.
Police Officers Michael A. Antoniak and Eric A. Phillips are, therefore, awarded a Medal of Valor award and three merit off day to be taken in 2009.
POLICE OFFICER REBEKAH EBERHARDY & POLICE OFFICER VINCENZO G. PAOLO: On May 27, 2008 at 4:49pm, Police Officers Rebekah Eberhardy and Vincenzo Paolo were dispatched to a subject with a weapon in the 4800 block of North 22nd Street. The residence is a three-story, multi-unit apartment building. The call for service was on the third floor. The officers heard a fight occurring behind the closed door and knocked on it to announce their presence. When a resident opened the door, the officers observed an individual in the living room, armed with a large knife who appeared to be cutting his own forearm. Upon seeing the officers enter the apartment, the subject dropped the knife, ran to the open window and began to jump out of it. The officers feared that the individual was attempting suicide. The subject was able to get the upper half of his body and one leg completely out of the window before they were able to grab and hold him. At one point, Officer Eberhardy had the upper part of her body out of the window while attempting to restrain the individual from falling. Eventually, the officers were able to pull the subject into the apartment and secure him until his conveyance for professional medical evaluations. Officers Rebekah Eberhardy and Vincenzo Paolo displayed bravery and tenacity in this very difficult situation by disregarding their own personal safety to save an individual who was determined to cause harm or death to himself.
Police Officer Rebekah Eberhardy and Police Officer Vincenzo G. Paolo are, therefore, awarded a Lifesaving award and one merit off day to be taken in 2009.
POLICE OFFICER CHRISTOPHER S. CHU: On Tuesday, June 10, 2008, Police Officer Christopher Chu was conducting a battery investigation in the alley of the 3300 block of West Burnham Street when he observed a male subject running through the alley. Believing this individual may be involved in the battery offense, Officer Chu conducted a field interview. The subject was found to be in possession of wide-tipped markers and artwork commonly used by graffiti artists, which contained identifying monikers to connect this subject to multiple graffiti offenses. Officer Chu issued a citation to the subject for possession of the markers and discussed the importance of taking responsibility for the graffiti offenses that he was personally responsible for. Six days after that conversation, the subject came into District Six to talk with Officer Chu and take responsibility for his actions. Officer Chu conveyed the individual to various locations within Districts Two and Six. The subject admitted to 43 locations he recalled tagging between July 2007 and February 2008. Over the next month Officer Chu conducted follow-up investigations. Many of the incidents had not been reported. Several of the buildings required sandblasting. Out of the 43 locations, Officer Chu located 28 victims who were willing to prosecute. The estimated amount of damage was $4,500. Officer Chu exhibited dedication and diligence while investigating this very complicated case. Officer Chu exemplifies the positive impact a beat officer can have in his or her assigned area.
Police Officer Christopher S. Chu is, therefore, awarded a Meritorious Service award.
POLICE OFFICER RICHARD K. LITWIN: On October 1, 2008 at 2:25pm, Officer Litwin and his partner responded to assist in a foot chase of a suspected drug dealer. The chase began in the 2500 block of North 34th Street and continued to the west. The suspect was observed running from the yards and ran onto a porch where he hid behind a pillar in a bush. Officer Litwin confronted the suspect and commanded him to lie on the ground. The suspect fled from his position on the porch and while doing so, armed himself with a hand gun from his waistband. Officer Litwin continued his pursuit commanding the suspect to drop his weapon. The suspect turned to face Officer Litwin with an outstretched arm holding the handgun. With no possible cover at that moment, Officer Litwin fired a single shot that hit the suspect on the right side and dislodged the suspect’s grip on his weapon. The gun flew into the air and landed next to the suspect, who was now on the ground on his back. The suspect quickly regained his composure and frantically reached for the gun. Officer Litwin ordered the subject not to move, but the suspect continued to reach for his weapon. Officer Litwin fired one round, which struck the suspect’s clothing and caused the suspect to stop reaching for the weapon. Officer Litwin kept the suspect covered by gunpoint until additional officers were able to arrive on the scene and place him into custody. Officer Litwin exhibited exceptional bravery. His training, resourcefulness, and quick action enabled him to apprehend an armed and fleeing subject.
Police Officer Richard K. Litwin is, therefore, awarded a Meritorious Service award.