Members of the Wisconsin State Patrol receive awards for courageous actions and exceptional service

September 9, 2009

Awardees from Belleville, Monroe, Wisconsin Dells, Madison, Stevens Point, New London, River Falls, Eau Claire, Bloomer, Amery, Tomahawk, Edgar, Rothschild, Muskego, Oconomowoc, West Bend, Kenosha, Racine and Franksville honored at Sept. 9 ceremony

Twenty-one members of the Wisconsin State Patrol received special awards for saving lives and other exemplary service at a ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the State Capitol in Madison.

A posthumous Purple Heart Award was presented to the family of Trooper Jorge Dimas, who died on June 14 of injuries he sustained in a traffic crash while patrolling on WIS 35 in Polk County on May 9. He was only 23 years old when he died. A resident of Amery, Trooper Dimas started his career with the State Patrol in July 2008. He is one of five State Patrol officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and the first since 1993.

State Patrol Superintendent David Collins said, “All members of the State Patrol lost a valued colleague and friend with Trooper Dimas’ death. Although he is no longer with us physically, he is with us in spirit and will always be in our hearts and minds.” 

The following members of the State Patrol were honored with special awards for achievements above and beyond their normal duties:

• Trooper Gary V. Czlapinski of Stevens Point—Three teenagers were shot and killed while swimming near the Wisconsin-Michigan border on Aug. 1, 2008. To help find the suspected murderer who had retreated into the woods, the State Patrol provided officers to establish a tight perimeter, and an aircraft for surveillance. Trooper Gary Czlapinski observed a male subject coming out of the woods carrying a rifle and other items. After tactically closing the distance, Trooper Czlapinski ordered the suspect to drop the items, which he did. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.  Trooper Czlapinski put his life at risk while apprehending an armed murderer.  For his courage and professionalism in performance of his duties, Trooper Czlapinski earned the Meritorious Service Award.

• Inspector Kirk L. Danielson of River Falls—Upon arriving at a crash scene on I-94 in Dunn County on April 9, 2009, Inspector Kirk Danielson was informed that a pick-up truck was in a ravine next to the highway. A bystander told him that that there was an injured person inside the pick-up. As Inspector Danielson descended the ravine toward the truck, he saw flames and smoke coming from the engine compartment. At great personal risk, Inspector Danielson climbed into the cab to cut the seat belt and remove the driver. The driver’s foot then got stuck on the shift lever in the cab. Inspector Danielson got into the cab again and freed the driver’s foot. He moved the driver away from the truck, which was engulfed in flames, and began administering CPR. When medical personnel arrived, they indicated the driver was not alive and CPR was stopped. Inspector Danielson risked his life during his sustained and successful efforts to remove the driver from the burning vehicle. In recognition of his brave efforts, he was presented the Meritorious Service Award.

• Inspector Teresa Ann Burchard of Belleville and Trooper Jeffrey A. Hill of Monroe—Inspector Teresa Ann Burchard and Trooper Jeffrey Hill responded to a report of shots fired in Blanchardville on March 13, 2009. The two officers arrived at the scene and attempted to communicate with an apparently suicidal subject, who was outside his residence with a handgun. While yelling at the officers, the subject fired a shot and fell on his side. Although the subject was motionless, his physical condition was not clear. Trooper Hill and Inspector Burchard approached the subject with their weapons drawn not knowing if he was capable of firing more shots. Exposing themselves to great risk, the officers continued their approach until they were able to ascertain that the subject had committed suicide with a gunshot wound to his head. They secured the scene and then compassionately informed the subject’s family. The two officers took great risks to their safety in an attempt to prevent a tragedy. For their compassion and professionalism, they earned the Meritorious Service Award.

• Trooper James A. Binder of New London—While responding to an erratic driving complaint on April 26, 2009, Trooper James Binder located the vehicle in question parked in a cemetery near Waupaca. An intoxicated female subject was consuming a drink outside the vehicle. Trooper Binder took the drink from her and started a conversation to determine her identity. When he returned to his cruiser for a brief moment, he saw the subject go into the vehicle and retrieve a container. Trooper Binder immediately ran to her and saw that she was trying to swallow pills. She said that she wanted to commit suicide. Trooper Binder had no choice but to physically force her to spit out the pills. He then took her into protective custody. It was later determined that her high alcohol level combined with the pills could have been fatal. Therefore, Trooper Binder’s decisive response prevented a possible suicide and for his actions he received the Lifesaving Award.

• Trooper Shari A. Kalk of Eau Claire—Trooper Shari Kalk responded to an emergency medical services call of a non-breathing individual at a restaurant on Nov. 23, 2008. Upon arrival, Trooper Kalk and a waitress began CPR on the individual. A responding county sheriff’s deputy used his automated external defibrillator (AED) to administer one shock to the individual. Trooper Kalk continued CPR but the individual still was not breathing and had no pulse. The Menomonie Fire Department responded and administered two more AED shocks while Trooper Kalk continued CPR. The subject then regained a pulse. Because Trooper Kalk’s quick actions helped saved the individual’s life, she received the Lifesaving Award.

• Trooper Matthew S. Kneisler of Muskego—Trooper Matthew Kneisler located a vehicle that left the roadway and crashed through a fence in Waukesha County on Jan. 1, 2009. The driver was not in the vehicle. Trooper Kneisler saw fresh footprints in the snow and followed them. The tracks left the roadway and entered a wooded marshy area. Trooper Kneisler followed the tracks on foot in frigid temperatures before he located the driver passed out and lying in the snow. While helping the driver out of the woods, Trooper Kneisler noticed that the driver’s hands were freezing. He gave the driver his gloves to wear.  Without Trooper Kneisler’s concern and extraordinary efforts, the driver may have suffered serious injuries or died from exposure to the cold. For his exemplary actions, Trooper Kneisler received the Lifesaving Award.

• Trooper Steven R. Lindemann of Oconomowoc—While assisting what he thought was a disabled vehicle on the Interstate on Nov. 7, 2008, Trooper Steven Lindemann saw the driver leave the vehicle and walk into traffic, where he was nearly hit.  Risking his own safety, Trooper Lindemann ran into traffic and pushed the driver onto the median shoulder. Trooper Lindemann observed that the vehicle had sustained damage indicative of a severe crash. After placing the incoherent driver into his cruiser, Trooper Lindemann saw a potential witness and began walking toward the witness’ vehicle. The witness warned Trooper Lindemann that the driver had exited the cruiser and was walking into highway traffic. Trooper Lindemann again ran and grabbed the driver just as he stepped into the path of oncoming vehicles.  Trooper Lindemann then restrained the driver until rescue personnel arrived. Because Trooper Lindemann’s actions prevented what appeared to be a suicide attempt, he received the Lifesaving Award.

• Trooper Kristian P. Perales of West Bend—A man collapsed on a golf course in Washington County on June 7, 2009.  Trooper Kristian Perales responded and found the man on the ground. He did not have a pulse and was not breathing. A Washington County sheriff’s deputy and Kewaskum police officer also arrived. The deputy used an automated external defibrillator on the man to obtain a faint pulse. Trooper Perales administered CPR breaths while the Kewaskum officer performed chest compressions. They continued CPR until an ambulance arrived. The man was transported to a hospital where he received surgery for an arterial blockage. For quick actions that helped save the man’s life, Trooper Perales’ received the Lifesaving Award.  This is Trooper Perales’ third Lifesaving Award in his nine-year career with the State Patrol.

• Trooper Jennifer A. Wasielewski of Kenosha, Trooper Deborah M. Reis of Racine, Inspector Mark E. Barlar of Racine and Inspector Nakia M. Guyton of Franksville—Trooper Jennifer Wasielewski observed a truck drift across lanes of traffic and go into a ditch on Nov. 14, 2008. When she reached the truck she found that the driver was unconscious. Inspectors Mark Barlar and Nakia Guyton arrived at the scene to assist. The doors of the vehicle were locked. After breaking the passenger window, Inspector Barlar detected that the driver did not have a pulse. The driver was taken out of the vehicle and officers began CPR. Trooper Wasielewski began chest compressions while Inspector Guyton provided breaths with an air mask and bag. Trooper Deborah Reis arrived on the scene and directed that Inspector Guyton use his marked patrol vehicle to block traffic to assist the arrival of an ambulance. Trooper Reis also took over performing chest compressions and continued CPR along with Inspector Barlar.  When emergency medical technicians arrived, Trooper Reis continued chest compressions while the EMTs used an automated external defibrillator and provided oxygen before taking the driver to a hospital. The incident was caused by the driver’s reaction to medication.  For their decisive actions, the four officers involved in the response each received a Lifesaving Award.

• Trooper Bryan E. Wrycha of Tomahawk—A man collapsed in Oneida County on Feb. 6, 2009, and Trooper Bryan Wrycha responded to the call. Upon arrival, he observed that the man’s wife, who was a nurse, and his son were performing CPR.  She requested an oral airway from the trooper’s medical kit. She inserted the airway while Trooper Wrycha took over CPR from the son.  An ambulance arrived and the emergency medical crew shocked the victim with an automated external defibrillator while Trooper Wrycha continued CPR.  Trooper Wrycha was instrumental in the overall effort that saved the man’s life. For his actions, he received a Lifesaving Award.

• Inspector Randy C. Yeakey of Bloomer—While on motor carrier enforcement patrol on April 20, 2009, Inspector Randy Yeakey found a truck that had rolled over near Boyceville. The driver was trapped inside the truck and appeared lifeless. Inspector Yeakey used a pry bar to break the windshield. The driver had a faint pulse but was in a position that obstructed his breathing.  Inspector Yeakey obtained assistance from others in the area to cut the safety belt and remove the driver from the truck. A Dunn County sheriff’s deputy administered CPR with the assistance of Boyceville firefighters. The following morning, Inspector Yeakey visited the driver in the hospital. The driver said he had no recollection of the rollover crash and its aftermath. For his exemplary effort, Inspector Yeakey received a Lifesaving Award.

• Trooper Adam M. Zahn of Wisconsin Dells—Trooper Adam Zahn responded to a residence where a female was choking on Sept. 4, 2008. When he arrived, the female victim was sitting on the ground while a male subject was attempting the Heimlich maneuver.  She started to panic and went limp. Trooper Zahn laid the victim on her back, checked for vital signs, and looked for obstructions in her airway. She was not breathing and her pulse was fading. After the trooper provided CPR breaths, she began breathing. When an ambulance arrived, Trooper Zahn helped treat the victim until she was transported to a hospital. For using his professional training and skills effectively in a stressful incident, Trooper Zahn received a Lifesaving Award.

• Database Administrator William C. Delaney of Madison, Sgt. Michael C. Klingenberg of Edgar, Sgt. Steven G. Krueger of Tigerton and Inspector David A. Harvey of Madison—The State Patrol successfully completed its implementation of a new statewide electronic criminal incident reporting system in 2009. The system provides centralized electronic collection of criminal arrest and other incident information that allows timely and more efficient access to data, which can be shared with other agencies.  Timely, accurate and complete data are critical components of effective law enforcement and homeland security efforts. For their teamwork and individual efforts in developing this important capability, Database Administrator William C. Delaney, Sgt. Michael C. Klingenberg, Sgt. Steven G. Krueger and Inspector David A. Harvey each received a Commendable Service Award.

• Office Operations Associate Pamela Ziemer of Rothschild—Office Operations Associate Pamela Ziemer was integrally involved in planning the 2008 FBI National Academy Associates Conference in Milwaukee, one of the largest law enforcement conferences of its kind in the world. The State Patrol had a key role in hosting the event. Her exceptional skills in organization, editing and software applications were instrumental in making the conference a success that reflected well on the State Patrol and the state of Wisconsin. For her work ethic, professionalism and skill, she received a Commendable Service Award.

NOTE TO MEDIA: A jpg photo of Trooper Jorge Dimas can be e-mailed to you by contacting the WisDOT Office of Public Affairs.

For more information, contact:
Sgt. Paul Wolfe, Division of State Patrol
(608) 267-4590, paul.wolfe@dot.wi.gov

Steve Olson, WisDOT Office of Public Affairs
(608) 261-5896, steven.olson@dot.wi.gov