Category Archives: Police

Tuesday’s South Milwaukee City Council meeting was one of my favorite ones of the year — our chance to recognize police officers and citizens for their life-saving and heroic acts, and all-around good work and partnership.

In all, six officers, one public safety officer, two auxiliary officers, three citizens and one business were honored with awards as part of National Peace Officers Week. Here is a full list of winners, and their stories.

I congratulate and thank all of them. Among the stories …

Investigator Hill – nominated by Officer Rivamonte

On December 20, 2014 at approximately 9:44pm the South Milwaukee Police Department took a report of a suicidal subject who had slashed his wrists and left his mother’s residence on bicycle.  Officers were given the general area of Grant Park to search for the subject who was in a mental health crisis.  After searching for a significant amount of time Investigator Hill located the subject’s bicycle hidden in some bushes; after searching the area he located the subject.  The subject was unconscious and bleeding from cuts to both wrists.  Investigator Hill provided immediate medical assistance to the subject.  Officers carried the subject to Lake Drive so the South Milwaukee Fire Department could treat his injuries.  If Investigator Hill had not continued to search for the subject he would have died in Grant Park that evening (it was cold 15 degrees and the subject was not properly clothed).                     

Officer Dews, Officer Fournier, PSO Maxim and Auxiliary Officer Ceparski – nominated by Officer McLean

On February 16, 2015 at approximately 3:27am the South Milwaukee Police Department received a 911 transfer call from the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.  PSO Maxim was unable to speak with the 911 caller as the phone call ended prior to transferring.  PSO Maxim was unable to make contact with the 911 caller as calls went to voicemail.  PSO Maxim advised officers the 911 caller had reported he had fallen in the woods in Grant Park near the lagoon.  PSO Maxim looked up the 911 coordinates to assist in locating the caller.  Officers searched the area described by the 911 caller and found him lying on the snow covered ground.  The subject was unable to stand and officers carried him to the roadway where the South Milwaukee Fire Department took over and transported the man to St. Luke’s South Shore for medical treatment.  Had the officers not located the man he possibly would have died due to the cold weather conditions.

Mrs. Phylis Stoesser

Lt. Milow nominated Mrs. Stoesser for a Citizen’s Recognition Award for her actions on July 2, 2014.

On July 2, 2014 the South Milwaukee Police Department took a report of a missing elderly woman with early stage dementia/Alzheimer’s from the 1500 block of Manitowoc Avenue.  Mrs. Stoesser observed an elderly woman near her residence (1000 Block of N. Chicago) who appear confused and lost.  Mrs. Stoesser engaged the woman in conversation and then began to follow her as she continued to walk on N. Chicago.  Mrs. Stoesser notified the police department who upon arriving at the scene determine the elderly woman to be the one missing from the 1500 block of Manitowoc Avenue.  Mrs. Stoesser’s compassion and concern for the woman is commendable.

The department also honored longtime former auxiliary officer Kurt Olson for his volunteer service to the city, and Mike Wolf, manager of the South Milwaukee Walmart, for their support of the Shop with a Cop program and Community Night Out.

Yet another reason to thank you to our police officers for all they do …

From the South Milwaukee Department:

On Thursday February 26, 2015 at about 8:00pm the City of South Milwaukee Police Department was called to a home in the 3200 Block of 15^th Avenue in the City of South Milwaukee, for a report of a man making threats to his family that he was going to “Commit Suicide by Cop”.  The callers further reported that the man making these threats was in possession of an improvised firearm fashioned from a BB gun and a shotgun shell.

Upon arrival of the officers they were confronted by the man at the front door.  The man was brandishing what was later determined to be a BB gun with a live shotgun shell affixed to it.  The man ignored orders to drop the item and surrender but did eventually throw the object down and walk out of the residence toward officers, while telling the officers to shoot him.  The man did not comply with further directions to be taken safely into custody and an electronic control devise (ECD/Taser) was deployed on the subject.  The man was then forced into handcuffs and taken into custody.  The man stated that he tried to fire the weapon at the officers but threw it down when it failed to go off. 

The man continued to resist after he was taken into custody, kicking one officer in the chest. The man, a 23 year old resident of South Milwaukee, was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for medical examination.  No officers were injured to the point of seeking medical attention.  This matter will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office for possible criminal charges.