Letters of Appreciation:
John Kolstad, Douglas County information services technician, and are recognized with letters of appreciation, was able to recover deleted photographs from a hard drive that had been wiped of data after a computer was stolen. He was able to retrieve the photos for the victim when the computer was recovered.
Douglas County Sheriff's Department Detective Richard Schnell is gaining recognition for investigative efforts that led to the confession of a burglary suspect and recovery of stolen items in September.
Letters of Commendations:
Sgt. John Kiel, detectives Kirk Hill, Tom Champaigne and Bill Braman, and Officer Erick Flood for their work to renovate the room and police exhibit at the Old Fire House and Police Museum.
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Officers Paul Winterscheidt, Bill Lear, Michelle Lear, Thor Trone and Cory Hanson, and Detective Mike Jaszczak investigated the death of a young man who fell from the roof of a moving motor home in August.
Officer Tim Monte gathered evidence at the scene of a burglary. DNA collected at the scene was compared to a crime database and a suspect was identified, arrested and resulted in solving numerous other burglaries.
Detective Jack Curphy for work to solve a number of daytime residential burglaries that recovered stolen merchandise linked to multiple burglaries.
Officer Ryan Korhonen attempted to stop a speeding vehicle in June when he discovered the vehicle occupants were rushing to the home of a suicidal man armed with a sword. When a family member became involved in a struggle for the sword, he took advantage of the situation to use a Taser and gain control of the situation before anyone was injured.
Detective Tom Champaigne and Sgt. Nick Alexander for computer forensics that led to the federal prosecution and 12-year prison sentenced on child pornography charges.
Officers Paul Winterscheidt and Bill Lear for excellence in day-to-day work.
Distinguished Service Award
Officers Joel Markon and John Heinen responded to Linden Courts reference a report of shots fired by a suicidal male. Upon arrival in the area, you quickly formulated a plan and moved to isolate the area where a suicidal male was standing outside. After several tense minutes of attempting to convince the male to drop the revolver, Markon moved to a position behind the suspect while Heinen drew the suspects attention by repeatedly ordering the subject to drop his gun while holding him at gunpoint. Markon gained control using a Taser.
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Meritorious Conduct Awards
Auxiliary Officer Thomas Cannon, a volunteer, is recognized for his length of service and consistent willingness to give of his time to help keep Superior safe.
Detective Bill Braman is recognized for work to solve a May 2008 burglary case and a stabbing case that required extensive surgery to repair the heart of the victim and resulted in a confession by the suspect.
Officer Christopher Moe for investigating a burglary at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that revealed a connection to other burglaries in the building's offices and charges filed against the suspects. Interviews with suspects revealed information about other crimes.
Distinguished Service Award
Officer Brad Esler responded to a residence March 20 where a teenager was threatening his family with a knife. He entered the house stealthily and quickly disarmed the boy and handcuffed him.
Life Saving Award
Officer Paul Winterscheidt was working out at the YMCA while off duty on May 2 when he observed a commotion and discovered a man appeared to be in medical distress. When he went into cardiac arrest, Winterscheidt and Superior firefighter Joe Tribbey performed CPR until emergency medical services arrived. The victim survived.
