An Evening of Honor

Although the ceremony lasted less than an hour, the list of officers, staff and local residents that were recognized for stepping forward and "doing more than was expected" was impressive at the second annual Muskego Police awards ceremony at City Hall earlier this week.

Citizens Bart Achtenhagen and Aaron DeKarske were recognized for their assistance during the violent storms Muskego endured last June.  The pair used their landscape business equipment to clear debris from Crowbar Road, Tans Drive and Hillendale, which allowed the Department of Public Works to redirect road-clearing efforts elsewhere.

Another severe weather event brought awards to Scott Salentine and Jacobsen. Jacobsen came on the scene by chance with his pick up truck, which was equipped with a plow to help Lieutenant Kaebisch, who himself became stuck.  Salentine appeared later, but with Jacobsen assisted about a dozen stranded motorists in the early morning hours of February 2 during a blizzard at the roundabout at Racine Avenue and Kelsey Drive.

A citizen lifesaving awards was also given to Mark Zelechowski, who heard a call on his police scanner of a capsized boat on Little Muskego Lake.  When police had arrived on the scene, the three boaters were already rescued by Zelechowski, wet but OK, not needing further medical attention.

Jason Stark and Michael Falk also received citizen lifesaving awards for helping Janet Urbas escape her submerged vehicle, which had slid into a rain-swollen ditch on Tess Corners Drive during the heavy rains of July 22, 2010.

Police Department staff and officers also were recognized for their service, including clerk Kathy Revolinski for her work on the video presentation, and Officer Nicholas Fons for his work on developing the Department's website. Each of them received letters of commendation.

The Commendation Award was presented to Officer William Jones, who assisted in the rescue of three handicapped children during the July 22 flooding.  Sargeant John Mesich, who was with Jones on the scene, said he was "proud to work with people like Officer Jones, who waded into the water, not knowing if there were electrical circumstances or knowing the contaminants that were in the water to help save these kids."

Additional awards were presented for perfect attendance to Lt. Craig Simuncak, Sgt. Peter Linkiewicz, and Officers Todd Nelson and Scott Sheridan.  Length of service awards were handed out to Officers Nicholas Fons and Angela Mesich, five years; Lt. Richard Rens, 20 years; and Executive Assistant Ann Wissing.

Certificate of Appreciation was also given to IT Director John Wisniewski, who helped implement TRACS traffic citation software as well as the recent upgrades to the department's dispatch center.  The upgrade paved the way for the department to position itself as a primary cellular 9-1-1 call center.