Today, Friday, May 11, 2018, the 28th annual Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony will be held at noon inside the State Capitol Building. The annual ceremony, honoring and remembering Wisconsin law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, is held in correlation with National Police Week activities. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 "National Peace Officer's Memorial Day" and National Police Week as the calendar week which encompasses May 15. National Police Week 2018 is May 13 until May 19.
There will be a squad procession involving officers from across Wisconsin that will leave Olin Park at 11:15 AM and arrive at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Olin Park is located off the Highway 12/18 beltline in Madison.
During this year's ceremony four names will be officially added to the Memorial, bringing the total amount of Wisconsin law enforcement officers listed on the Memorial to 277. These four names are located on panel IV of the Memorial. Two of those names were discovered through historical research. On September 6, 1895, Sheboygan Police Department Special Officer Charles Freiherr was struck and killed by a switch engine as he was checking the rail yard for trespassers. On February 13, 1943, Milwaukee Police Department Lieutenant Albert Grosskopf responded, as the Incident Commander, to an apartment fire in a four story building. While on the scene, Lt. Grosskopf suddenly collapsed. He was rushed to an area hospital where he died of a heart attack.
On March 22, 2017, Everest Metropolitan Police Department Detective Jason Weiland responded to a domestic disturbance related active shooter incident where three civilians were killed. As Detective Weiland attempted to set up an outer perimeter around the suspect's apartment building, Detective Weiland was shot and fatally wounded.
On April 11, 2017, Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Anthony Borostowski was on patrol and lost control of his patrol squad. Trooper Borostowski's patrol squad left the road and struck a tree. Trooper Borostowski was fatally injured in the crash.
Ceremony speakers include Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel and Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent J.D. Lind.
**The above information was excerpted from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards and Training Bureau (LESB).
The information contained in my blog is derived from notes provided by MPD Officers-In-Charge (OIC) at the end of their shifts. Most narratives represent early and preliminary information that was gathered by an OIC from those in the field who were actively working cases. The OIC is sharing what they were being told, in the moment. In many instances, facts and circumstances, even the type of crime listed, can change as officers, detectives and investigators continue their work.
From 5:30 a.m. on 05/10/2018 through 5:30 a.m. on 05/11/2018, MPD received 494 calls for service. This number does not include parking complaints or 911 misdials. For purposes of clarification, the following abbreviations are short-hand for race designations: W=White, AA=African American, NA=Native American, H=Hispanic, ME=Middle Eastern, A=Asian, MR=Mixed Race, U=Unknown. MPD shifts are staggered as follows: 1st detail=7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2nd detail=12 p.m. to 8 p.m., 3rd detail=3 p.m. to 11 p.m., 4th detail=8 p.m. to 4 a.m., 5th detail=11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
1) SOUTH: Stolen Auto – 4:51 a.m. Officers responded to Moorland Rd where a stolen vehicle was located, unoccupied, but damaged. The registered owner of the vehicle reported that the vehicle was stolen from Geronimo Circle. The registered owner stated that the vehicle was locked at the time of the theft. Investigation continuing. * This was a late call that did not make the previous 24-hour cycle call notes due to officers being involved at the scene and reports from the field were not yet typed.
2) WEST: Drug Incident Overdose – 6:40 a.m. Officers responded to Schroeder Rd regarding a subject (29-year-old WM) having an overdose. The subject was conveyed to a local hospital. The subject was left in the care of medical staff in critical condition.
3) CENTRAL: Adult Arrested Person – 8:20 a.m. Officers were dispatched to the courthouse for a wanted subject/suspect (18-year-old AAM). The suspect was conveyed to jail on an outstanding charge for recklessly endangering safety.
**Today, from the Wisconsin Criminal Jury Instructions (University of Wisconsin Law School), I share information on Recklessly Endangering Safety. If you were sitting on an empaneled jury, these are the instructions, without all of the complex "legalese" that the Judge would read prior to going into jury deliberations.
Statutory Definition of the Crime: First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, as defined in §941.30(1) of the Criminal Code of Wisconsin, is committed by one who recklessly endangers the safety of another human being under circumstances that show utter disregard for human life.
State's Burden of Proof: Before you may find the defendant guilty of this offense, the State must prove by evidence which satisfies you beyond a reasonable doubt that the following three elements were present.
Elements of the Crime That the State Must Prove:
1) The defendant endangered the safety of another human being.
2) The defendant endangered the safety of another by criminally reckless conduct.
"Criminally reckless conduct" means:
- the conduct created a risk of death or great bodily harm to another person; and
- the risk of death or great bodily harm was unreasonable and substantial; and
- the defendant was aware that (his) (her) conduct created the unreasonable and substantial risk of death or great bodily harm.
"Great bodily harm" means injury which creates a substantial risk of death, or which causes serious permanent disfigurement, or which causes a permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ, or other serious bodily injury.
3) The circumstances of the defendant's conduct showed utter disregard for human life.
In determining whether the circumstances of the conduct showed utter disregard for human life, consider these factors: what the defendant was doing; why the defendant was engaged in that conduct; how dangerous the conduct was; how obvious the danger was; whether the conduct showed any regard for life; and, all other factors and circumstances relating to the conduct.
4) NORTH: Intoxicated Driver – 9:31 a.m. Officers responded to Golf Course Rd for an intoxicated driver. The driver was observed losing control of his vehicle, driving across a parking lot and onto a flower bed where he got stuck. The driver/suspect (48-year-old WM) was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (5th offense).
5) CENTRAL: Mental Health Conveyance – 10:50 a.m. Officers responded to the 100 block of State St for a subject (36-year-old AAF) causing a disturbance. It was confirmed that the subject was under a Chapter 51 commitment order. The subject was conveyed to a local hospital and ultimately to Winnebago on an emergency detention order.
6) CENTRAL: Assist Law Enforcement/Check Person – 11:15 a.m. An MPD negotiator was requested to assist with a suicidal subject (13-year-old WM) on E. Main St. The subject was taken into protective custody. Capitol PD has the lead on this case.
7) EAST: Weapons Offense/Person with a Gun – 1:13 p.m. Officers responded to Claire St for a disturbance and a report of a subject with a gun. Investigation revealed that an argument had taken place between a couple, who are dating and the parents of the female subject. There was name calling and other vulgarities. All parties agreed to go their separate ways. A gun was never an overt factor in this disturbance and probable cause was not established for any charges.
8) WEST: Juvenile Arrest – 4:19 p.m. An officer located a wanted suspect (16-year-old AAM) from a disturbance that occurred earlier in the week. The juvenile suspect was conveyed to the Juvenile Reception Center on a disorderly conduct charge.
9) EAST: Juvenile Arrest – 4:37 p.m. Officers responded to an east side residence for an out-of-control juvenile (14-year-old AAM). The juvenile was conveyed to the Juvenile Reception Center on a disorderly conduct charge.
10) NORTH: Weapons Offense/Shots Fired – 5:35 p.m. Officers responded to Sunnywide Cres. as the homeowner/resident located a projectile on the floor of her residence after hearing gun shots two nights prior (which was not reported to police). Officers collected a possible projectile from the interior of the residence. Neighborhood canvassed. Investigation continuing.
11) EAST: Check Person – 7:01 p.m. Officers responded to check the welfare of a subject (21-year-old AF) with injuries. Investigation revealed that the subject/victim's brother may have caused the injuries. Officers responded to make contact with the brother (26-year-old AM). The male, who is diagnosed with schizophrenia, was taken into protective custody and conveyed to Winnebago on an emergency detention order.
12) NORTH: Adult Arrested Person – 7:33 p.m. Officers observed a wanted subject (20-year-old AAM). The suspect fled but was apprehended. The suspect was found to be in possession of marijuana and a loaded handgun magazine. The suspect was arrested for possession of marijuana, resisting and a probation violation.
13) NORTH: Disturbance – 10:42 p.m. Officers responded to Vera Court for a disturbance between two subjects/brothers (13-year-old AAM victim and 15-year-old AAM suspect). The suspect fled the residence after grabbing multiple kitchen knives. The suspect punched, strangled and attacked the victim/brother with multiple household items (glass vase, lamp) prior to fleeing. Attempts were made to contact/locate the suspect. Investigation continuing.
14) NORTH: Drug Incident Overdose – 11:38 p.m. Officers responded to the 2000 block of Packers Ave for a subject (56-year-old WM) having an overdose. MFD administered Naloxone to the subject which revived him. Evidence of drug use was present. The suspect was arrested for possession of heroin and a parole hold.
15) NORTH: Crash/Private Property – 12:20 a.m. Officers responded to the 1700 block of Northport Drive where a driver (30-year-old AAM) ran over the victim's (20-year-old AAM) foot as he was pulling out of a parking spot. The victim suffered a bruised/swollen foot. No medical attention was required. No charges were substantiated.