MEMORIAL—Officers and deputies from the Marinette Police Department and Marinette County Sheriff’s Department took part in a Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony Monday, May 12 at the Law Enforcement Center in Marinette. Purpose of the memorial was to honor and remember officers killed in the line of duty and dedicated to those who serve. Sheriff Jerry Sauve acted as master of ceremonies for the program. Honor Guard made up of officers and deputies prepare for the 21 gun salute.

Over 100 Pay Tribute To Law Enforcement Officers

Over 100 people jammed the entrance lobby at the Marinette County Law Enforcement Center on a drizzly Monday, May 12 for ceremonies in tribute to the men and women who serve on Marinette County Sheriff’s Office and Marinette City Police Department (MPD).

Speakers included Sheriff Jerry Sauve; retired Marinette County Circuit Court Judge and former D.A. Tim Duket, and Nancy Thelen, Regional Detention Specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections

Initial plans were to hold the annual Law Enforcement Memorial event outdoors, but Sheriff Sauve said, as rain fell, that the weather didn’t look promising, so chairs for the approximately 100 persons attending were moved indoors.

The event opened with presentation of colors by an honor guard made up of personnel from the Sheriff’s Office and the MPD, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by MPD Chief John Mabry. Father Ryan Ford offered the opening reflections and prayer. Closing reflection and prayer was given by Pastor Archer Leupp. TAPS was played by Deputy Fred Popp, and there was a 21-gun salute, fired outside, under the Law Enforcement Building’s entrance canopy.

In his welcome remarks Sauve gave a brief history of Police Officers Memorial Day on May 15, and designation of the week in which it falls as Law Officer’s Week. President John F. Kennedy signed the law establishing Police Officers Memorial Day in 1962. Flags on government buildings are to be flown at half mast on that day, in honor of officers who fell in the line of duty during the past year, and as a reminder that officers place their lives in danger every day. In 1982 the first small gathering was held in Washington Memorial Park, and since then the memorial services have spread and become traditions all across the nation.

Sauve reported that 49 law enforcement officers died from on-duty accidents in the United States, and 27 died from felonious assaults. Those numbers were better than in 2012, when 48 officers were murdered, some on duty and some off. The number of those who died in on-duty accidents again was 49.

“This is my 30th year of service in the Marinette County Sheriff’s Office,” Sauve reported. He said the number of very dangerous calls in this county has increased sharply in the past decade, largely due to the growth in drug abuse problems, and officers put their lives in danger daily.

Father Ford, chaplain for nine months for Menominee officers and 5 months for those in Marinette city and county, offered some brief reflections and an opening prayer.

He said he has frequently ridden with officers, and witnessed their dedication and love for the people of the community, and witnessed the physical, mental and spiritual strain their work puts on them. “They often see people at the lowest point in their lives,” Father Ryan said. “Hardest to see is the effect bad decisions have on the children.”

He said officers see many bad things, ways need to keep in mind the good. “It is a good thing that you do. Putting yourself in danger for the sake of others is good...Thank you for not running away from danger... For being willing to offer up your lives.”

He acknowledged that there are things like contract negotiations and earning a living, but urged, “Please... Whatever pay you receive... Don’t make it the primary purpose of your work!”

He prayed for an end to addiction, and an end to violence, and that officers not let the bad things they see make them forget the good in people.

Thelen noted that the week of May 4 through 10 was National Corrections Officers week, which was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan, and characterized Corrections Officers as some of the unsung heroes who “play a very key role in the protection and security of our communities...We’d be remiss if we didn’t include them in our thoughts today.”

This year, in Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker declared May 5 through 9 as Corrections Officers Week.

Thelen said during her nine years with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections she and Marinette County Sheriff’s Department personnel have developed a good partnership.

“The level of commitment here is highly commendable,” she declared, adding that correction officers here serve, “with the utmost integrity,selfless commitment to their jobs, total professionalism .... which is a reflection of the leadership in this department.”

She thanked Sheriff Sauve and Jail Administrator Bob Majewski, “for their ongoing dedication and a true partnership...they do make a difference!”

Sauve noted April 14 through 18 was National Telecommunications Week, and introduced Kirsten Bellisle, head of the Marinette County Dispatch/911 Communications Department.

“The dispatchers and 911 people generally go unnoticed unless things go wrong,” Sauve commented. He said they need to remain calm when things get hectic, as dispatchers are the lifeline for officers on the job.

Next, Sauve introduced “A true friend of Law Enforcement in Marinette County , the Honorable Judge Tim Duket.” Duket noted he was District Attorney for 10 years before he became a judge, and recalled a few of the many long time officers who served as his mentors on the job. Among those he named were Craig Bates, Don Hawley, Fred Carl, Robert Kuhlman, Mike Perry, Harold Techmeier, Pat Ravet, Jeff Skorik, Tom Hartwig, Paul Kueber, Brian Peth, and several more. “Those names still resonate with me as people who were very dedicated to the cause,” Duket declared.

The retired judge noted he sometimes teaches a class on the Wisconsin Concealed Carry Law, but expressed regret about some of the recent treatment of officers who use deadly force against people that are often mentally unbalanced, intoxicated, on drugs, or extremely angry, and armed with a gun.

He mentioned last week in Texas an officer shot and killed a 90-year-old woman and was summarily fired, without an investigation. “The woman might have been frail,” he said, “but she was armed with a gun.”

Last year an officer in Milwaukee also shot and killed someone that witnesses said didn’t appear threatening, “but he had a gun.”

He said in these confrontations with highly agitated people, there is almost never any shooting until after officers have repeatedly asked them to put down their guns. In more than a few cases the person with the gun intends to commit suicide by having an officer shoot them. This has happened in Marinette County, Duket said, citing two incidents in the recent past, including one in which a son said his 82-year-old father stated he intended to get police to kill him.

Then there was Scott Johnson in 2008, who killed three teenagers at the bridge in Niagara, and went armed into the woods. He had declared he wanted to kill officers. “Within hours, hundreds of officers responded,” Duket said. “They came willingly to help, putting their own lives in danger.” A day later Johnson surrendered. Duket said officers wanted to get the situation under control and come home safe and sound, and they did.

Officers often forgotten when danger is mentioned are those who provide courtroom security. “We don’t often have violence in a courtroom,” Duket said, but added ti does happen. He recalled when a 237-pound defendant threatened witnesses and was put down by the officers on duty. Mainly, however, courthouse security work to defuse situations so confrontations do not happen.

“I feel safe in Marinette County,” Duket said. “I think it’s a tribute to all the law enforcement officers in Marinette County that they have given us a safe and secure environment.”

The ceremony ended with a 21-gun salute, fired outside, under the canopy, doors to the lobby open, followed by TAPS.

Pastor Leupp, of Faith Baptist Church of Peshtigo, said he has served as Sheriff’s Department Chaplain for five years, and recently started as chaplain for Peshtigo Police Department. He said God established governments and the rule of law, and described law enforcement officers as “swords for peace and justice.”

He said they go about their duties “protected by two or three ounces of metal.”

He prayed for officers who have fallen, and for the living and their families. He asked protection for them, “...not just physically, but from the emotional and mental stresses of their jobs,” and asked that they do not allow those jobs to taint their home lives, or cause them to develop callousness to the problems of others.

Formal retiring of colors by the Sheriff’s Office and MPD Color Guard concluded the event.

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
02-25-2015	Sports	11 Area Wrestlers Head To State
02-25-2015	Sports	Buccaneer Men Win WCC State Tourney
02-25-2015	Sports	Niagara Finishes Season With Win In Wausaukee
02-25-2015	Sports	Rangers Capture Conference Crown
02-25-2015	Perspectives	Country Cousin
02-25-2015	Perspectives	From our readers
02-25-2015	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Betty J. Zabel
02-25-2015		Lawrence F. Seefeldt
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Dr. Fred J. Schuette
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Anne E. Martin
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Mary Ellen Herrild
02-25-2015	Obituaries	John E. Hansen
02-25-2015	Obituaries	John W. Golla
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Michael L. Franklin
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Melvin H. Dettman
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Raymond L. Berg
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Donald Bell
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Robert L. Ward
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Emil Steier
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Glenn K. Smoot
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Helen M. Shevy
02-25-2015	Obituaries	John E. Schroeder
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Walter Schaal
02-25-2015	Obituaries	James L. Perry
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Darleen J. Neuens
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Mary Lerich
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Olga Kopatz
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Violet D. Hinkfus
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Sally A. Frank
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Marge E. Frank
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Tammy L. Finendale
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Donald W. Edlebeck
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Violet I. Dodd
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Robert Bizjak
02-25-2015	Obituaries	Frances Kwiatkowski
02-25-2015	Community - Wausaukee	Blood Drive Gets 51 Units
02-25-2015	Community - Wausaukee	Lions Bowling Tourney Dates
02-25-2015	Community - Wausaukee	Order Roses from Wausaukee Lions
02-25-2015	Community - Wausaukee	Luncheon Speaker at Presbyterian Church
02-25-2015	Community - Crivitz	Hunter Education Class Starts Mar. 31
02-25-2015	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Water Rate Phone Hearing Mar. 25
02-25-2015	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Blood Drive March 5
02-25-2015	Community - Crivitz	Orientation for Badger Staters
02-25-2015	Community - Coleman	Senior Club To Meet March 2
02-25-2015	Community - Coleman	Middle School Students of Month
02-25-2015	Community - Coleman	Coleman Village Board March 2
02-25-2015	News	Oconto Church Fish Fry Feb. 27
02-25-2015	News	Hunter Education Class Starts Mar. 31
02-25-2015	News	Men’s Wild Game Dinner March 7
02-25-2015	News	MCC Athletic Club Fish Fries
02-25-2015	Front Page	PRESENT CHECK
02-25-2015	Front Page	County Board Favors First Step To Ending Airport Partnership
02-25-2015	Front Page	Oconto Co. Board Salutes Retiring Finance Director
02-25-2015	Front Page	Sheriff: Prisons Full, State Will Ask Counties to Help
02-25-2015	Front Page	City Still Seeks Sponsors For Ball Field Name Rights
02-19-2015	Sports	9 Cougar Wrestlers Qualify For Saturday Sectional
02-19-2015	Sports	Rangers Remain On Top Of M&O
02-19-2015	Sports	Peshtigo Flawless in M&O
02-19-2015	Sports	Deadlines to Remove Ice Fishing Shelters
02-19-2015	Perspectives	Country Cousin
02-19-2015	Perspectives	From our readers
02-19-2015	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Charles M. Zinther
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Lawrence L. Walli, Jr.
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Jeffrey D. Teske
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Donna M. Sopkowicz
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Gerhardt Rusch
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Lois Rehn
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Carol Prestin
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Harris J. Hubert
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Mary J. Grandaw
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Larry J. Goral, Sr.
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Norita A. Gifford
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Melvin L. Brunette
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Deborah L. Wilde
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Rosemary A. Sutek
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Gary E. Limberg
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Laurie A. Kinziger
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Rosemary Johnston
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Charles H. Jessel Sr.
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Robert Heckel
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Helena Hanysz
02-19-2015	Obituaries	June R. Gering
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Roger O. Durocher
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Doris M. Durocher
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Brooke Kay Benoit
02-19-2015	Obituaries	Ronald R. Bajczyk
02-19-2015	News	Moose Lodge Sets Feb. 21 Fundraiser
02-19-2015	News	Lions Members Selling Roses
02-19-2015	News	Goodman Fire Dept. Dinner is Feb. 21
02-19-2015	News	Antique Show at Moose Lodge Apr. 11
02-19-2015	Community - Wausaukee	Lions Bowling Tourney Dates
02-19-2015	Community - Wausaukee	Silver Cliff Auxiliary To Offer Scholarships
02-19-2015	Community - Wausaukee	Wagner Buys Tender Truck, Seek Recycling Center Help
02-19-2015	Community - Wausaukee	Town Buys Tractor, Action on Road Bans
02-19-2015	Community - Crivitz	Hunter Education Class To Start
02-19-2015	Community - Crivitz	Candlelight Ski, Hike at State Park
02-19-2015	Community - Crivitz	UTV For Middle Inlet Fire Department Expected Soon
02-19-2015	Community - Crivitz	T/Stephenson Approves Hirings, Wage Increases
02-19-2015	Community - Coleman	Coleman Competes at Regional FBLA Meet
02-19-2015	Community - Coleman	Kickers Winter Dance Feb. 21
02-19-2015	Community - Coleman	Neil Diamond Show at Equity Feb. 27, 28
02-19-2015	Front Page	Preliminary Hearings In Child Neglect Case
02-19-2015	Front Page	Twin County Airport Partnership May End
02-19-2015	Front Page	County Board To Vote On $5.95 Million Bond Issue
02-19-2015	Front Page	Judge Finds For DWD, Advises City To Appeal
02-19-2015	Front Page	Primary Vote Election Results
02-11-2015	Sports	Peshtigo High School Bowlers Qualify for State
02-11-2015	Sports	Northland Pioneer Men Win First Game 60-42
02-11-2015	Sports	Cougars Wrap Up 12th Straight Title
02-11-2015	Sports	Wausaukee Routs Wildcats By 43 Points In Lena
02-11-2015	Perspectives	Country Cousin
02-11-2015	Perspectives	From our readers
02-11-2015	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Wayne Strahl
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Jeffrey D. Schuette
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Jeffrey W. Novak
02-11-2015	Obituaries	John J. Veriha
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Jeanine J. Smith
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Evelyn G. Nault
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Helen A. Cole
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Loren R. Anderson
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Edward Turensky
02-11-2015	Obituaries	William H. Powell
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Frances V. Nowakowski
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Walter F. Meyer, Jr.
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Josephine Marnocha
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Michele M. Macha
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Francis Leon Cornell
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Geraldine A. Bingenheimer
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Michael J. Beaudo
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Dale A. Sieloff
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Gladys M. Schlak
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Michael Pawlak
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Mary T. Luczak
02-11-2015	Obituaries	Fred Kuhnle
02-11-2015	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Honor 5 Teams at State for WIAA 100 Years
02-11-2015	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Taps Mayou For WWTP Certifications
02-11-2015	Community - Wausaukee	Dog, Cat Clinic at Wagner Feb. 14
02-11-2015	Community - Wausaukee	Lions Bowling Tourney Dates
02-11-2015	Community - Crivitz	CAWC Girls Night Out at The Woods Apr. 20
02-11-2015	Community - Crivitz	Hunter Education Class Starts Mar. 31
02-11-2015	Community - Crivitz	Rural Life Day Mass, Blessing of Animals, Soil
02-11-2015	Community - Crivitz	Plan Valentine Candlelight Ski
02-11-2015	Community - Coleman	Kickers Winter Dance Feb. 21
02-11-2015	Community - Coleman	Coleman School Board Feb. 16
02-11-2015	Community - Coleman	Coleman PTO Plans Book Fair
02-11-2015	Community - Coleman	CLC Pantry Hours
02-11-2015	News	Lena Blood Drive Feb. 19