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Sgt Hanson graduates from Staff and Command School
On November 13, 2009, Sergeant Terry Hanson graduated from Northwestern University’s 289th class of Police Staff and Command. The ten week school was held in Sun Prairie, WI. The class consisted of 25 students from 16 departments from south central Wisconsin. The School of Police Staff and Command is an intensive ten-week program that prepares law enforcement managers for senior positions by uniquely combining academic principles with practical applications. Sergeant Hanson’s staff study research paper was on the feasibility of the department going from eight hour to twelve hour shifts.
Graduation ceremonies were held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Madison and included a luncheon and key note address by Terrance Gainer, the United States Senate Sergeant at Arms. Attending the ceremony from Middleton PD were Chief Keil and Lieutenants Kakuske and Foulke. Also in attendance was Terry’s wife Leanne.
Terry will now come back to work as the 3rd detail shift commander.
Pictured from left to right: Lt. Foulke, Lt. Kakuske, Sgt. Hanson and Chief Keil
Department welcomes new officer Julie Normann
Officer Julie Normann joined the Middleton Police Department on Monday, October 5, 2009. Officer Normann grew up in the Grafton, WI area and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Law Enforcement and a minor in Spanish from Concordia College. Officer Normann graduated from the Fox Valley Technical College Police Academy in April of 2009.
Officer Normann will be in Field Training for four months and on probation for eighteen months.
The addition of Officer Normann brings the police force up to the authorized strength of 36 officers, although Officer Ken Smith has been deployed to Iraq and is not expected to return to duty until the Spring of 2010.
On October 7, Officer Normann was sworn in as a police officer by City Clerk Trish Amble. She is shown in the accompanying picture receiving the Law Enforcement Oath of Honor plaque from Chief Keil. The swearing in ceremony was attended by Officer Normann’s family, friends, members of the police department, city staff and elected officials.
2009 Middleton Police Department Awards
SIGNIFICANT ANNIVERSARIES:
5 years: Mike Wood (3/24/2004) and Brad Keil (5/1/2004)
10 years: Troy Hellenbrand (2/8/99)
15 years: Steve Britt (7/12/93)
20 Years: Greg Dixon and Jerry Raffel (4/24/1989)
MIDDLETON POLICE OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARDS
Middleton Police Department Field Training Team: Sgt. Terry Hanson, Officers Rob Engelhart, Greg Dixon, Jerry Raffel, Rich O’Connor, Donna Hamilton, Jeremy Geiszler, Mike Wood and Travis Kakuske.
The Field Training Team is tasked with the important duty of training newly hired officers to be Middleton Police Officers. The officers they train range from highly trained and experienced veteran officers who have transferred to Middleton PD, to officers who just graduated from college and have no police experience. Field Training lasts an average of four months, with constant supervision after that for the duration of the time they are on probation (18 months). The Field Training process is intense, both for the new officer and the trainer. In 2008, the Middleton Field Training Team trained three officers who are well on their way to successful law enforcement careers and will be training at least four new officers in 2009.
Jerry Raffel
Jerry has been a Middleton Police Officer since 1989. Jerry was the School Resource Officer for Middleton High School for 3 years, ending his assignment last June. Jerry has been a positive role model for the youth of the community, not only as an SRO, but also in his role as an Assistant Basketball coach for Middleton High School and youth football coach. Since returning to patrol, Jerry has worked proactively in the community and joined the Field Training Team.
Jill Tutaj
Jill became a Middleton Police Officer in 2001 and is currently wrapping up a successful 3 year tenure as the School Resource Officer at Kromery Middle School. Jill has worked effectively with students, teachers, administrators, staff and parents of students in the elementary schools, the middle school and the high school. Jill has truly touched many lives. Jill is also to be commended for her work in organizing and participating in Shop With a Cop, Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, and volunteers for Meals on Wheels.
Dan Jones
Dan joined the Middleton Police Department in 2002. In the summer of 2008, he was assigned to the Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force, a group of Federal, State, County and Municipal law enforcement officers assigned to investigate drug trafficking and gangs in Dane County. Webber, as he was nicknamed in the drug unit, initiated an investigation which resulted in an indictment of Donita J Thomas in US Federal Court. Thomas has been charged with six counts of distributing crack cocaine and one count of possession of 5 grams or more of crack cocaine with the intent to deliver. Thomas faces a maximum sentence of 40 years.
Although the drug unit wanted Dan to stay with them, he came back to Middleton PD and has been the lead detective on a number of significant cases since his return.
Linda Kessenich
Linda has been a Records Clerk with the Middleton Police Department since 1985. Linda’s quest for excellence has lead to a records management system that is the envy of other departments because if its accuracy and lack of repeat entries. Linda’s typing and grammatical skills make us all look good. Linda has worked closely with Global Records, the records management system used by Middleton, Fitchburg, Sun Prairie and Verona PD’s and is a member of the user group committee which advises the company on upgrades and improvements.
Linda is also a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.
Tom Adler and Gwen Ruppert
Both Tom and Gwen are part-time Dispatchers for Middleton PD. Tom has been with the department since 1985 and is a full time Lieutenant with Madison Fire Department. Gwen has been with Middleton PD since 1991 and is a full time detective with the Dane County Sheriff’s Department. Part time dispatchers have a challenging role to fill: the shifts are often short notice, odd hours, and have to somehow mesh with the full time jobs and ‘free time’ in their lives. One of the biggest challenges for a part time dispatcher is the ever changing domain of the communication center. Technology is constantly changing, personnel is added, the city is growing, the center is getting busier and often times the shifts they work are separated by days or weeks. Yet, Tom and Gwen remain steady dedicated dispatchers, and are eager to help when needed.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Jeremy Geiszler, Travis Kakuske and Matt Sherry: Jeremy was promoted to Sergeant, effective July 1. Travis was assigned to Middleton High School as the SRO and Matt to Kromery Middle School, effective next fall.
MIDDLETON GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD
Mark Kruck: On July 19, Mr. Kruck was in his yard when he observed a vehicle slow down and the driver throw something out of the car into his yard. Mark discovered that it was a purse and notified the police of his observations and a description of the car. A nearby police officer stopped the car. He discovered that the purse had recently been stolen from a woman at the Middleton Library. Mr. Kruck’s willingness to get involved, and his accurate description of the vehicle and direction of travel was most instrumental in getting the victim her purse and contents back and the charging of the person responsible for taking it.
Karen Strandt-Conroy: Karen is an Associate Principal in charge of Student Services at Middleton High School. Karen has always been a supporter of the police and School Resource Officers, an invaluable ally. Karen acts as the liaison between the police department and the schools, reserves rooms for the police department for training and meetings, has been on interview panels for new officers and promotions and was an inaugural member of the Middleton Police Department Citizen’s Academy in 2005.
LIFE SAVING AWARDS
SRO Jeremy Geiszler and MHS Nurse Lisa Foster: On January 5,Middleton High School Teachers Aid Patrick Fitzgerald collapsed in a classroom. Both SRO Jeremy Geiszler and MHS Nurse Lisa Foster were summoned to the room. Lisa arrived first and determined that Fitzgerald was not breathing and did not have a pulse. She began CPR and was then joined by SRO Geiszler. Jeremy assisted Lisa by performing chest compressions while Lisa continued rescue breathing. After approximately two minutes, Fitzgerald began breathing on his own and sustained a pulse. Fitzgerald made a full recovery and has returned to work.
Dr. Peter Karofsky and Tyson Hall: On April 18, Bob Pigorsch was playing tennis with his granddaughter at the Middleton High School tennis courts when he collapsed. His family determined that he was not breathing and did not have a pulse and called 911. Tyson Hall was in the Middleton High School parking lot, volunteering his time with the Kiwanis Service Club, collecting re-usable medical supplies. He was talking to his cousin on his cell phone. His cousin, a Middleton Firefighter, told him about the heart attack call. Tyson ran over to the tennis courts and began CPR. Dr. Peter Karofsky arrived at the tennis courts to play and saw that CPR was being performed. He assisted Tyson and they performed two person CPR until the Paramedics arrived. Mr. Pigorsch survived the heart attack with no long term effects. The emergency room doctors told the family that he would not have survived except for the quick actions of Tyson and Dr. Karofsky.
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Census Takers in Middleton
Starting Monday, April 20, 2009, the US Census Bureau will have census takers working in our community for about the next eight weeks. The census takers will be going door-to-door collecting household data, verifying addresses and asking about additional living quarters on the premises. The census takers can be identified by official Census Bureau identification badges with their names on them and Census Bureau equipment bag and they will be utilizing handheld computers to record the data. Census takers will never ask for bank or social security information.
If there are any questions or concerns regarding the census takers, citizens should contact the police department at 827-1000. For more information, visit http://2010.census.gov/
New Officer Jesse Sellek Sworn In
On April 21, Middleton Police Department’s newest police officer was sworn in at a ceremony at the Middleton City Hall. Jesse Sellek comes to us from Henderson Nevada where he served as a Patrol Officer with the Henderson Police Department. He is a graduate of Western Illinois University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. Jesse grew up in Northern Illinois and has family there and in the Madison area. The swearing in ceremony was attended by Jesse’s family, and Middleton employees and elected officials. Jesse is shown in the accompanying picture being congratulated by Chief Keil and Mayor Sonnetag.
The addition of Officer Sellek brings Middleton PD up to its authorized strength of 36 sworn officers, although Officer Ken Smith has been deployed to Iraq with the Wisconsin National Guard for the year.
New Police Department Ground Breaking Ceremony
On Tuesday, April 7 the Middleton City Council approved a contract with Ideal Builders, Inc. for construction of a new police station and municipal courthouse on Donna Drive. The $7.86 million facility is slated for completion in 2010. On Thursday, April 9, city officials met for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new station, which will be near the corner of Donna Drive and Parmenter Street.
Two New Officers join the Department
On Monday, April 6, 2009, two new officers joined the Middleton Police Department.
Kathleen Riffenburg joins the Middleton Police Department by way of the Bakersfield Police Department, where she was an officer for over six years. Prior to her employment at BPD, Kathleen was a Naval Corpsman and received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Hawaii. Kathleen has relocated to the Middleton area with her 12 year old son, Micah.
Scott Moen was born and raised in LaCrosse and is a 2005 graduate of the University of Wisconsin. Scott has worked for the Whitewater Police Department for two years prior to coming to Middleton.
Both officers are beginning their four month Field Training program and will be on probation for eighteen months.
Officers Riffenburg and Moen are shown in the accompanying photo reciting the Law Enforcement Oath of Office, administered by Chief Keil. The officers were sworn in on Tuesday, April 7 as their friends, family, co-workers and elected officials looked on.
Sgt Hellenbrand graduates from Staff and Command School
On November 14, 2008, Sergeant Troy Hellenbrand graduated from Northwestern University’s 270 th class of Police Staff and Command. The ten week school was held in Janesville, WI. The class consisted of 30 students from 26 departments from south central Wisconsin. The School of Police Staff and Command is an intensive ten-week program that prepares law enforcement managers for senior positions by uniquely combining academic principles with practical applications. Sergeant Hellenbrand’s staff study research paper was on the feasibility of setting up a traffic enforcement team for Middleton Police.
Graduation ceremonies were held at the Janesville Holiday Inn conference center and included a luncheon and key note address by Madison Police Department Chief Noble Wray. Attending the ceremony from Middleton PD were Chief Keil and Lieutenants Kakuske and Foulke. Also in attendance was Troy’s wife Lori and son Jordan.
Troy will now come back to work as the 2nd detail shift commander.
Pictured in the attachment from left to right: Chief Keil, Lt. Kakuske, Sgt. Hellenbrand and Lt. Foulke
Jessica Quamme joins the Middleton Police Department
On November 5, 2008, Jessica Quamme began employment with the Middleton Police Department. Jessica grew up in De Forest, WI and graduated from De Forest High School in 2000. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2004 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies and a Criminal Justice Certificate. Jessica has been employed by the Shorewood Hills Police Department for the last three years.
Jessica was sworn in as a police officer by Middleton City Clerk Trish Amble on November 6, 2008. Jessica is pictured receiving the Law Enforcement Oath of Honor from Chief Keil.
Officer Stroik graduates from Academy
On August 28, 2008, Nicholas Stroik graduated from the Fox Valley Technical College 13 week Police Academy in Appleton. The Middleton Police Department is proud to announce that Officer Stroik finished as the top academic achiever of his class and a close second as the best shooter in the class. Chief Keil and Lt. Kakuske attended the graduation ceremony representing the department. Officer Stroik was also joined by family members. Pictured below are Officer Stroik and Chief Keil.
Nick Stroik joins the Middleton Police Department
On May 28, 2008 Nicholas Stroik joined the Middleton Police Department. Nick grew up in Cudahay, WI and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2003 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. Chris joined the United States Marine Corp and served in Iraq in 2004 and 2005. Upon completing his Marine Corp obligation, Nick began employment as an IT consultant with Kerry Ingredients in Beloit, WI and worked there until his employment with Middleton PD.
Nick currently lives in Janesville with his wife Kelly who is a teacher and his 1 year old son Carter.
Nick will be attending the 13 week Police Academy at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, WI, then will begin the approximately 4 month Field Training Program.
Nick is pictured with City Clerk Trish Amble being sworn in as a Middleton Police Officer. Nick also recited the Police Officer Oath of Honor and received an Oath of Honor plaque from Chief Keil. The ceremony was attended by Nick's wife, son, parents, relatives, police employees, city employees and elected officials.
2008 Middleton Police Department Awards
SIGNIFICANT ANNIVERSARIES:
5 years: Dan Jones ( 8/19/2002), Jeremy Geiszler ( 11/11/2002 and Tom Wilson ( 2/26/2003).
10 years: Wendy McKnight ( 9/8/1997). Dave Haselow ( 12/10/1997) and Rich O’Connor ( 2/2/1998).
20 Years: Rob Engelhart ( 4/4/1988).
25 years: Jeff Winer ( 8/2/1982) and Craig Faga ( 9/1/1982).
MIDDLETON POLICE OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARDS
Sergeant Don Mueller: Middleton Police Department Sergeant Don Mueller was the recipient of the 2007 Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Safety “Director’s Award” for outstanding efforts in traffic policing and traffic safety. The award was presented to Sergeant Mueller by Superintendent Dave Collins of the Wisconsin State Patrol and Major Dan Lonsdorf, the Director of the Bureau of Transportation Safety, at the 2007 Governor’s Conference on Highway Safety in Stevens Point. As a recipient of this award, Sergeant Mueller was sent by WI DOT to the National Life Saver Conference in Portland, Oregon in April.
Sergeant Mueller has been a member of the Middleton Police Department since 1975. He has devoted much of his career to the area of traffic enforcement and safety and is an asset to the department and the community.
Officer Michael Ash: Mike has been a member of the Middleton Police Department since February 1, 1987. Mike has been involved in community activities, volunteering his time to Middleton EMS in years past. Mike is a CPR trainer and has trained and re-certified Middleton police officers and employees in CPR and is currently re-certifying the entire department in the new method of CPR which consists primarily of chest compressions.
Mike has always made traffic safety and traffic enforcement a personal priority. In the last 5 years, Mike has made 105 Operating While Intoxicated arrests, all the more significant given the fact that he works the 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM shift, when traditionally there are not a lot of intoxicated drivers arrested. In 2007, Mike almost doubled the amount of traffic citations and warnings he issued compared to other officers. While Middleton officers are encouraged to be well rounded in their policing activities, Mike’s dedication to traffic safety is to be commended.
Dispatcher Sue Buechner: Sue has been a Middleton police dispatcher since March 8, 2005. Sue came to us with previous dispatch experience at the Dane County 911 Center, Rock County 911 Center and in Illinois. Sue is very competent at the core responsibilities that any dispatcher has, but receives praise from the officers she works with by going the extra mile to find information for them and keeping them safe. Sue is proficient at using the varied data bases at her disposal to learn the identity of a suspect, type of vehicle they operate, addresses, work places, and associates.
Sue’s skills were put to the test on July 4, 2007 at 10:36 PM. Middleton police dispatch center received a cellular 911 call from the passenger of a vehicle which had plunged at least 75 feet over a ledge at a nearby quarry. The caller reported several people were trapped in the vehicle and were seriously injured. Dispatcher Buechner was able to use GPS technology to determine where the accident occurred, calmed and reassured the caller, and extracted information from the caller so that police, firefighters, and paramedics could find the exact location of the accident. Although one person died in the accident, Dispatcher Buechner’s actions were critical in getting aid to the other injured passengers.
Middleton Police Training Team; Sergeants Troy Hellenbrand, Steve Britt and Darrin Zimmerman, Detective Craig Faga, Officers Greg Dixon, David Kasdorf, Rich O’Connor, Jeremy Geiszler and retired Sergeant Dave Kromm:
State law mandates that every police officer in Wisconsin receive 24 hours of training a year (although most Middleton officers receive in excess of the minimum). Core areas of training are firearms, defense and arrest tactics, vehicle contacts and emergency vehicle operation. The above named officers have received extensive training on how to instruct officers in these areas, typically conducted in in-service sessions every quarter. Several years ago, Middleton police combined efforts with Sun Prairie and Fitchburg police departments to provide in-service training for their officers. The Middleton training team has consistently led the way in providing innovative, evolving and timely training to the officers. These training officers work long hours, often in unpleasant conditions with no benefits other than the self-satisfaction they receive for their role in working with well trained officers and the knowledge that they are keeping the officers and the community they serve safe.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Sergeant Darrin Zimmerman: On February 8, 2008, Chief Keil announced the promotion of Darrin Zimmerman to Sergeant. Darrin is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse. He has been with the department for 8 years, as a patrol officer, DARE officer, police school liaison officer and detective. Darrin and his wife Janelle, also a police department employee, live in Middleton with their two children.
Communication Center Supervisor Wendy McKnight: On April 6, Chief Keil announced the promotion of Dispatcher Wendy McKnight to the newly created position of Communication Center Supervisor. Wendy is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She has been with the department since 1997. Wendy and her husband Kevin, a former Middleton police dispatcher and current Dane County Deputy, live in Dane County with their 2 daughters.
MIDDLETON GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD
Van Nutt: Van is the very successful Executive Director of the Middleton Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber’s mission is to promote a strong economy and a high quality of life for the greater Middleton community. The City of Middleton, thanks in large part to efforts of the Chamber of Commerce, was recognized in 2007 by Money Magazine as America’s #1 Place to Live.
Van is an enthusiastic supporter of all things Middleton, including the police department, making the point that safety and quality of life issues are key to making Middleton a good place to live. Van is a 2006 graduate of the Middleton Police Citizen Academy and a charter member of the board of directors of the Middleton Business Watch, a collaborative crime prevention and education effort between the business community and the police department.
Tony Peterson: Tony is a long time Middleton resident who recently retired after a distinguished 25 year career with the Madison Police Department. As a police Lieutenant, Tony always reached out to area departments and improved the working relationship between his agency and the Middleton Police Department. Tony has voluntarily participated in a number of interview panels for the Middleton Police Department for dispatcher, dispatcher supervisor, police officer and police supervisors. Tony is a member of the Middleton Public Safety Committee.
The department would like to congratulate Tony on his successful career with the Madison Police Department and thank him for his contribution to our community.
Middleton Fire Department: The Middleton Fire Department fills many roles, traditional and a bit non-traditional, which are very helpful to the police department. On three occasions this year, the police department has requested assistance from the fire department in locating missing people.
These cases included a suicidal woman believed to be in the Nature Preserve, a man visiting relatives from out of town who left the residence in inclement weather without the proper clothing on, and an elderly woman suffering dementia who also left in inclement weather without warm clothes. In each case the fire department responded with a full turnout and began a grid search, on foot and ATV, using computers with GPS technology to map areas that had been covered and those where searches needed to be completed.
In each case the missing person was located. The police department wishes to recognize the efforts of the fire department in this area and other areas of mutual concern.
LIFE SAVING AWARDS
Dispatcher Tim Hoeksema, Officers Travis Kakuske, Rick Wipperfurth and Matt Sherry: On May 02, 2007 at 3:29:22 am Dispatcher Hoeksema received a 911 call in reference to a 69 year old male with no pulse and not breathing at a residence in the 6400 block of Elmwood Ave. He immediately activated the alert tones at 3:29:28 am. He was clear and concise with the information and dispatched the officers immediately allowing an extremely fast response time.
Officer Wipperfurth was first on scene arriving at 3:30:51 am and verified PNB status at 3:31:40 am. Officer Kakuske arrived at 3:31:40 am and Officer Sherry arrived at 3:31:57 am and assisted Officer Wipperfurth with administrating CPR and one AED shock prior to paramedic’s arrival at 3:35:52 am. The patient was transported to the UW hospital and recovered from his medical condition.
Preschoolers meet Indy, one of Dane County's K-9s
On March 3, 2008 Sgt. Darrin Zimmerman of the Middleton Police Department, Deputy Keith Kelly of the Dane County Sheriff's Office and his K-9 Indy, visited the Little Red Preschool in Middleton to talk to the students about police officers and police k-9s. The children were thrilled with the experience.
Detective Zimmerman Promoted to Sergeant
On February 8, 2008, Chief Brad Keil announced the promotion of Darrin Zimmerman to Sergeant. Sergeant Zimmerman will replace Dave Kromm, who retired after 22 years of service to the residents of Middleton.
Officers applying for the position of Sergeant participated in an internal promotional rating, written test, oral interview and assessment center. The Middleton Police Commission certified 3 officers and Chief Keil appointed Sgt. Zimmerman.
Sgt. Zimmerman is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse. He has been with the department for 8 years, as a patrol officer DARE officer, police school liaison officer and detective. Sgt. Zimmerman and his wife Janelle, also a police department employee, live in Middleton with their two children.
Sgt. Zimmerman will be assigned to split shift, 7:00 PM to 3:00 AM and 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
NEW OFFICER JOINS MIDDLETON POLICE
Officer Christopher Formby joined the Middleton Police Department on January 3, 2008.
Chris grew up in Dallas, Texas and graduated from the University of Texas, Austin in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. Chris then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served as an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle pilot for four years while stationed at 29 Palms, California. Upon completing his Marine Corps obligation, Chris joined the Los Angeles Police Department, where he worked for five years, assigned to the San Fernando Valley, Hollywood and Watts Divisions. Chris and his wife Heather, also a former Los Angeles Police officer, moved to the Middleton area to be closer to family and to raise their 21 month old daughter, Catriona. Chris will be in field training for four months and will be on probation for 18 months.
On January 9, 2008, Chris was formally sworn in by City of Middleton Clerk Trish Amble as his wife, daughter, family, friends and co-workers looked on. Pictured above is Chief Keil giving Chris a plaque containing the Law Enforcement Oath of Honor.
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