Oak Creek Detective Receives First Responder Of The Year Award

OAK CREEK, WI — Oak Creek Police Department Detective Joel Bateman was selected as one of Wisconsin's First Responders of the Year at a ceremony in Madison Tuesday.

Assembly Representative Jessie Rodriguez (R-Oak Creek) presented the award to Bateman at a ceremony in Wisconsin's capitol. First responders from across the state were recognized as part of the event.

The ceremony honored Bateman and several other award recipients from Wisconsin for their outstanding service to their communities, a news release from Rep. Rodriguez said. Recipients were honored and handed a legislative citation to mark their achievement, the news release said.

"For 26 years Detective Bateman has put himself in harm’s way to keep members of our
community safe and help people in need,” Rep. Rodriguez said in the news release. "In that time, Detective Bateman has demonstrated outstanding leadership characteristics on the tactical team at the Oak Creek Police Department, and has excelled as an instructor, training law enforcement officers and members of the community alike on safety measures."

The First Responder of the Year award has been taking place since 2019. Each year, first responders from each Assembly district are nominated by their community for a shot at receiving the statewide award.

Bateman attended the ceremony in Madison with his wife and two sons. He was honored during the Assembly Floor session on Tuesday. The award comes alongside First Responder Appreciation month. Additionally, on Tuesday the Wisconsin Assembly passed a resolution declaring Oct. 28 "First Responders Appreciation Day."

"We are so lucky to have Detective Bateman in Oak Creek and are grateful for his service. Wisconsin as a whole is better off because of his dedication to our community’s safety," Rep. Rodriguez said.