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WisDOT honors Wisconsin State Patrol staff for going above and beyond to keep communities safe

Wisconsin State Patrol awards ceremony on May 3, 2024 in Wisconsin Dells. Submitted photo.

WisDOT honors Wisconsin State Patrol staff for going above and beyond to keep communities safe

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On May 3, 2024, the Wisconsin State Patrol held its annual awards ceremony in Wisconsin Dells to recognize “the outstanding public service of employees who exceed the expectations of their daily duties”

According to the State Patrol, 76 awards were presented. The awards focused on the lifesaving efforts and innovations that improve state patrol operations.

In attendance, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, who joined Wisconsin Department of Transportation leaders.

“The sacrifices you and your family make are countless as you carry out your duty to public service with long hours and late nights, dangerous work conditions, missed family gatherings or kids’ events—you name it,” Evers said Friday.

“In recognition of the tremendous effort each of you brings to the job every day, today we celebrate those who go the extra mile to support our communities,” Evers added.

The State Patrol noted that lifesaving and Meritorious Service awards recognize those who saved lives or put themselves in physical danger to keep someone else safe.

The Commendable Service, Superintendent’s Commendation, Unit Citation and employee of the year categories acknowledge accomplishments that contribute to WisDOT’s key mission to “build a safe and efficient transportation system.”

“State Patrol employees lay the groundwork of a safe transportation system,” said WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson.

“Through enforcement, education and technological innovation, our colleagues lead the way with excellence. It takes extraordinary teamwork to accomplish these incredible achievements, and that service makes our state stronger,” Thompson added.

According to the State Patrol, employees were nominated by their peers and selected to receive recognition for their actions by the State Patrol Awards Committee.

“I’m proud to recognize staff across all three of our bureaus for their compassion and dedication,” Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said.

“We have amazing staff, both in the field and working behind the scenes, who continually go above and beyond to save a life or improve our operations,” Carnahan added.

Lifesaving Award

Award recipient Post
Sergeant Erica Ballweg-Larsen Deforest
Trooper Kyle Cook Fond du Lac
Trooper Scott Darin Waukesha
Inspector Thomas Fleming Spooner
Deputy Jordan Jones Columbia County Sheriff’s Office
Trooper Megan LaFave Wausau
Inspector Todd Monson Spooner
Trooper Daniel Restrepo Wausau
Trooper David Schwoerer Deforest
Lieutenant Mark Smit Columbia County Sheriff’s Office
Trooper Christopher Splinter Wausau
Trooper Christopher Sukis Tomah
Trooper Sean Wiedersheim Waukesha
Trooper Dettrick Zimmerman Deforest

 

Special Recognition

​Award ​Award recipient ​Post
Commendable Service Lieutenant Andrew Martin Headquarters
Commendable Service Christopher Smith Deforest
Meritorious Service Trooper Michael Lawson Waukesha
Superintendent’s Commendation Trooper David Arndt Deforest
Superintendent’s Commendation Trooper Brett Boley Eau Claire
Superintendent’s Commendation Trooper Christina Holtz Tomah
Superintendent’s Commendation Trooper Timothy Knutson Eau Claire
Superintendent’s Commendation Trooper Steven Kuhnke Fond du Lac
Superintendent’s Commendation Trooper Joseph Redman Eau Claire
Superintendent’s Commendation Trooper Joshua Sasse Fond du Lac
Superintendent’s Commendation Trooper Caleb Truax Fond du Lac
Innovation and Excellence Award Jordan Bergeman Eau Claire

 

Unit Citation Award – SWAT Team

Award recipient Post
Inspector Kris Anderson Tomah
Trooper Colton Bahling Wausau
Sergeant Sean Berkowitch Spooner
Inspector Robert Borek Waukesha
Trooper Joseph Desprez Eau Claire
Sergeant Kyle Dudek Wausau
Trooper Steven Frantal Wausau
Trooper Caleb Grabow-Hohensee Wausau
Lieutenant Dean Haigh Eau Claire
Sergeant Michael Heffernan Eau Claire
Trooper Joshua Helmer Fond du Lac
Inspector Jeffrey Hill Deforest
Sergeant Jeffry Hudacek Eau Claire
Inspector Lewis Judge Fond du Lac
Trooper Carson Konkol Tomah
Trooper Mitchell Kraetke Spooner
Inspector Michael Larsen Tomah
Captain Craig Larson Eau Claire
Inspector Joshua Lintula Spooner
Sergeant Nicholas Lorenzen Waukesha
Trooper Adam Lukaszewski Deforest
Sergeant Bret Manke Deforest
Trooper Jeremy McNulty Eau Claire
Inspector Martin Messa Spooner
Inspector Daniel O’Connor Wausau
Trooper Anthony Olson Spooner
Sergeant Jon Pedersen Wausau
Trooper Kristian Perales Waukesha
Trooper Aaron Poehlman Wausau
Trooper Kevin Powell Fond du Lac
Inspector Scott Reignier Fond du Lac
Sergeant Nathan Wright Waukesha

 

Unit Citation Award – Fleet Installation Center

​Award recipient Facility
Trooper Brandon Ferrell Fleet Installation Center
Benjamin Hoffman Fleet Installation Center
Shelly Hughes Fleet Installation Center
Shawn Murphy Fleet Installation Center
Cole Pulver Fleet Installation Center
Brandyn Rein Fleet Installation Center
Jacob Rein Fleet Installation Center
John Scherbert Fleet Installation Center

 

Employees of the Year

​Award ​Award recipient ​Post
Inspector of the Year Inspector Cory Shilts Spooner
Trooper of the Year Trooper James Fetherston Jr. Eau Claire
Civilian Employee of the Year Steven Doll Headquarters
Dispatcher of the Year Grant Moxon Deforest

 

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