News of Officer's Death Hits Home

Lieutenant David Constantineau shared his thoughts about his least favorite part of a job he loves in a weekly neighborhood report.

"I love my job, I really do.  But there are certain parts of it I really do not like.  The one thing I hate the most, however, is having to put a mourning band on my badge, because that means a fellow officer has made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us all safe," Constantineau wrote.

Referring to Craig Birkholz , who was a Fond du Lac police officer gunned down during an arrest of a man accused of sexual assault last week, Constantineau said that while he didn't know him personally, he knew the type of person he was.

"He was self-sacrificing, dedicated to helping the public, and willing to place himself in danger to protect others.  In other words, he was what a good police officer is supposed to be," Constantineau explained.

"As police officers, we know going in what dangers the job entails.  We know that when we tell our families goodbye and go to work, we may not come home.  We put it out of our minds and go about our business of protecting the public.  When we lose someone like Officer Birkholz though, those thoughts come flooding back," he continued.

Constantineau asked for citizens to keep Birkholz and his family, surviving officer Ryan Williams who was also shot along with his K-9 officer Grendel, in their prayers.  He also reminded them that all officers need their prayers of support as they come in to do their job on a daily basis.

"I want to thank all the wonderful citizens of Muskego who support our officers and department on a daily basis.  It is greatly appreciated," Constantineau concluded.