Former Oath Keeper Bayside officer resigns, interviews with other agency

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Bayside Police Officer Ryan T. Bowe, who as previously reported by the Wisconsin Law Journal, was a former Oath Keepers member, has resigned from the department.

Bowe resigned on Dec. 2, according to Bayside Police Chief Tom Liebenthal, who noted Bowe is actively interviewing with another Wisconsin law enforcement agency.

During an interview with the Wisconsin Law Journal on Tuesday night, Liebenthal noted Bowe “always had ideas of career advancement and that’s limited in smaller department like ours, not having an investigative unit,” Liebenthal said.

Liebenthal said he first became aware of Bowe’s career search when another law enforcement agency in Wisconsin contacted him to conduct a pre-employment background check, which is standard procedure in Wisconsin for any law enforcement hiring.

As previously reported by the Wisconsin Law Journal, elected officials, law enforcement officials and community members praised the two Bayside Police officers named in a previous Oath Keepers’ article.

“I’ve known these two officers really well, and these are two really excellent police officers,” village of Bayside President and Milwaukee-based Attorney Eido Walny previously told the Wisconsin Law Journal in November.

During an interview with the Wisconsin Law Journal, Walny noted there were no issues or cause for concern to the community.

“Their membership (in Oath Keepers) was more than a decade ago. It was very brief,” Walny said, noting that “Back then it was a pro-police organization. That is all they thought they were getting themselves into. They do not condone the more recent activities of the Oath Keepers group,” Walny added.

Liebenthal agreed with Walny during November interviews.

Liebenthal noted that at one point both the officers joined the group, “only very briefly.”

“There is no indication of a need to be concerned about anything impacting work performance for these officers. Quite the opposite, actually,” Chief Liebenthal told the Wisconsin Law Journal.

“We looked into it and there was no need to conduct a formal investigation,” Liebenthal added.

According to Liebenthal, Fuller and Bowe joined Oath Keepers very briefly, more than 10 years ago — in 2011 and 2013, respectively.

More Wisconsin Law Enforcement officers involved in Oath Keepers

Names of law enforcement officers across the nation, including those in Wisconsin (who were once were or are currently involved) in the Oath Keepers Group were released to the Wisconsin Law Journal recently after a formal request was made.

Among those officers, in Racine County, the town of Dover Water Patrol Chief Josh Martinson’s name appeared on the membership list.

During an interview with the Wisconsin Law Journal earlier in December, Martinson confirmed he joined the group, but noted it was with good intention.

“My intention on joining the organization in question back in 2010 was out of respect and support of fellow military veterans serving as local law enforcement officers. Within a couple months of joining the group, I learned of its underlying mission and political views and quickly disassociated myself, never attending any events nor displaying any related materials,” Martinson said.

Milwaukee Police Department Oath Keepers

As previously reported by the Wisconsin Law Journal, David J. Larscheidt, a Milwaukee police officer, also joined Oath Keepers.

Milwaukee Police Association President Andrew Wagner told the Wisconsin Law Journal in November that Larscheidt joined Oath Keepers in 2010 or 2011 after supporting what he at the time believed to be a pro-police group on Facebook.

Wagner noted Larscheidt has served as a Milwaukee police officer for more than two decades and is a good officer.

A Wisconsin Law Journal investigation revealed Larscheidt’s disciplinary record was non-violent.

On Nov. 27, Milwaukee police responded to the Wisconsin Law Journal’s Nov. 6 open records request for a copy of Milwaukee Police Officer Larscheidt’s disciplinary record; it revealed one sustained reprimand related to a non-violent incident.

During an interview with Milwaukee Police Department officials, the department recommitted to serving the public with integrity.

“The Milwaukee Police Department holds its members to the highest level of integrity, one of the core tenets in our Code of Conduct. If a member is found to be in violation of the Code of Conduct or Standard Operating Procedures, they will be held accountable in accordance with due process. In this instance, the Internal Affairs Division looked into the allegations and concluded that our member did not violate the Code of Conduct,” Milwaukee police officials said during a Wisconsin Law Journal interview earlier in December.

“MPD is committed to ensuring that the department’s vision, mission and core values are being adhered to; and all its members maintain the highest levels of integrity and professionalism,” Milwaukee police officials added.

Wagner said when Larscheidt joined in 2010 he received a couple of police supportive stickers in the mail, put them in a drawer, and since 2010 has zero to do with the group in the past 13 years.

The Milwaukee Police Department told the Wisconsin Law Journal it became aware of Larscheidt’s previous affiliation with the Oath Keepers on Oct. 19, 2023.