Category Archives: Police

June 5, 2013 · 11:12 pm

More South Milwaukee Citizen Heroes

Giving a shoutout to the final three citizen award winners from the May ceremony by the South Milwaukee Police Department …

Be sure to check out parts one and two for more inspirational stories.

CITIZEN RECOGNITION AWARD

Whenever any officer believes that behavior coming to the attention personally or through a third party is deserving of recognition by the Department, an officer should indicate the circumstances of the incident in writing and should forward same to the Awards Committee.  Upon Committee approval, the Chief will affix their stamp of approval.

Mrs. Gail Krug, Mr. Kyle Krug & Justin Ukasick

Officer Bill Dews recommended Mrs. Krug, Mr. Krug & Mr. Ukasick for a Citizen Recognition Award for their action on June 7, 2012.

In the early morning hours on June 7, 2012 Mr. Krug & Mr. Ukasick smelled and saw a large amount of smoke coming from a residence in the 500 block of Madison Ave.  When they investigated they found the upper back porch of a residence on fire.  Mr. Krug notified his mother and requested she contact emergency responders.  Mr. Krug & Mr. Ukasick went to the residence and began pounding on the upper unit’s door in an attempt to wake the residents.  The gentlemen were successful in their attempt and were able to safely evacuate the residents.  Their concern for the safety of the residents should be recognized.  

Mr.Thomas Hoover

Officer Mick Olson recommended Mr. Hoover for a Citizen Recognition Award for his action on September 14, 2012.  Mr. Hoover’s Aunt MaryJo Bodie will be accepting the award on his behalf as he is currently completing basic training with the US Army.

On September 14, 2012 Mr. Hoover was present when his Aunt MaryJo Bodie collapsed in the family residence.  Mr. Hoover evaluated his Aunt’s condition and upon not finding a pulse or breathing he immediately began CPR.  Mr. Hoover continued CPR until relieved by personnel from the SMFD.  Because of his actions his Aunt was transported to the hospital and began a successful recovery.  Mr. Hoover’s concern for his Aunt and her welfare should be commended.  His quick action likely saved her life and prevented oxygen deprivation to her brain and organs. 

Ms. Nicole Inkmann & Mr. Jonathan Meus

Officer Dan Doering recommended Ms. Inkmann & Mr. Meus for a Citizen Recognition Award for their actions on January 17, 2013.

 On January 17, 2013 the SMPD had a tactical situation at a residence in the 2400 block of 3rd Avenue.  During the tactical situation several residents were evacuated from their residences.  Mr. Meus generously welcomed these neighbors into his residence and provided them with a safe location for the duration of this incident.

Ms. Inkmann assisted the police department by providing two sets of written floor plans for the residence the incident was occurring at.  This information was very beneficial to the tactical officers for their approach, entry and clearing of the residence. 

The humanitarianism and cooperation of these two individuals was noted by members of the Police Department.

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May 10, 2013 · 10:00 pm

Heroes Of The Day: Celebrating The 2013 Police Award Winners

One of my favorite city council meetings each year is when we honor the South Milwaukee Police Department’s annual award winners. That meeting was Tuesday, during National Peace Officers Week.

Below are a couple of the winners’ stories. I’ll share others in the weeks ahead. They are all inspiring — reminders of the dangers our police officers face, and of the courage and selflessness ordinary citizens display in difficult situations, every day.

LIFE-SAVING COMMENDATION

Awarded to an officer whose action directly contributed to the saving or significant prolonging of human life.

Officer Hoeppner, Officer Hallett & Officer Rotter

Nominated by Officer Rotter/Lt. Walker

 On October 21, 2012 Officers Hoeppner, Hallett and Rotter responded to a house fire in the 700 block of Madison Avenue.  When officers arrived, flames were observed coming through the roof and the third story windows at the back of the residence.  The building had separate apartments on each floor.  Officers entered the burning building and went to the apartments and evacuated 7 people including a baby and two senior citizens prior to SMFD arriving on scene.  As a result of the officer’s actions no one was killed or injured and all residents were safely evacuated. 

MERIT AWARD

Awarded for excellent arrest by any officer directly involved in the capture and arrest of a felon who was endangering the lives and/or property of the community.

Officer Hoeppner, Officer Rotter, Officer Wentz & Officer Doering

Nominated by Lt. Chad Milow

On January 5, 2013 officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at a residence in the 800 block of Lakeview Avenue.  These officers investigated the complaint and located the suspect vehicle.  After a traffic stop, in which two of the occupants fled on foot, three suspects were taken into custody and a weapon was located at the scene.  The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office charged the suspect with Robbery While Armed.  Without the officer’s quick actions this crime may have not been cleared by arrest.

Thanks to South Milwaukee Chief Ann Wellens for the providing the information.

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May 6, 2013 · 9:04 am

South Milwaukee Liquor Store Robbed

South Milwaukee police say there was an armed robbery Sunday night at the King’s Row liquor store at 1202 Milwaukee Ave.

Here is the press release …

Please be advised that the SMPD responded to an armed robbery which had occurred at about 8:30pm on May 5, 2013 at King’s Row Liquor in the 1200blk of Milwaukee Avenue.  A lone, masked gunman entered the store armed with a handgun demanding cash. No persons were injured during the robbery. The case remains under investigation.

Check out coverage from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Fox 6 and CBS 58.

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January 25, 2013 · 3:25 pm

Alert: “Spoofing” Scammer Posing As South Milwaukee Police Demands Money

Just got this from South Milwaukee Police … scary stuff.

South Milwaukee Police have received a report from an elderly citizen that they had received several phone calls from a company trying to solicit money.  The caller identified them self as being from the “Martinez Law Firm” in Lawrence Kansas with a phone number of 785-371-3081.   The caller told the citizen if she did not pay $250.00 by 2pm today that an arrest warrant would be issued for her. 

A short time later she received another call from a person giving the name of an officer who works for the South Milwaukee Police Department.  The caller ID also showed that the call had originated from the South Milwaukee Police Department.  The caller at this time threatened to arrest her on the warrant if she did not pay by 2pm.    The citizen then came to the police department to find out what was happening.

Investigation revealed that this is a scam that has been running and that the suspect caller had “spoofed” the number to make it appear that the call had come from the South Milwaukee Police Department.  The first call was also determined to not have come from a law firm in Kansas.   The call actually was found to have originated  somewhere in Pakistan.   The caller confessed to running a scam to try to get money from people by saying they were the police. 

Due to the international nature of this incident, enforcement actions will be  difficult.  The best protection is for citizens to be aware of this scam and report these issues to their local police.

Citizens should know that the South Milwaukee Police Department will not call people on the phone regarding these types of issues.

If you receive a phone call of this nature, please contact your local police department. 

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January 7, 2013 · 9:18 pm

More On The Recent Tire Slashings

The new NOW police blotter has details (like approximate location) on many of the recent tire slashing incidents.

Check out the story here.

I count more than 20 incidents primarily in and around downtown, give or take a few blocks, and it wasn’t just tires being slashed. Other vandalism like broken car mirrors were reported.

If you have any information on the incidents, please contact the South Milwaukee Police Department at 768-8060. And I’ll keep you posted.

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January 7, 2013 · 5:27 pm

Armed Robbery Reported In South Milwaukee; Gun Found In Oak Creek Sikh Temple Parking Lot

Here are details from the South Milwaukee Police Department …

On the evening of January 5th, 2013, SMPD received a call of an armed robbery  in the 800 block of Lakeview Ave.  A suspect vehicle was later observed by SMPD officers, and the vehicle was stopped in the 7500 block of Howell Ave. in Oak Creek.  A foot chase with two subjects that fled the vehicle resulted in their apprehension.  A firearm believed to have been used in the robbery was later recovered in the parking lot of the Sikh Temple.  This case remains under investigation.  It is believed all suspects have been taken into custody.

Here is coverage from Oak Creek Patch. I’ll keep you posted.

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December 15, 2012 · 10:27 pm

More On The Man Killed In Thursday’s Crash

Here is the obituary of John Janick — the Caledonia man killed when his car crashed into a house in South Milwaukee on Thursday — from Max A. Sass & Sons. From it:

Beloved husband of Julie (nee Scherrer) for 14 years. Bestest dad of Ryan. Loving son of Linda and Donald. Dear brother of Jason. Dear son-in-law of Judeen and Kenneth Scherrer. Brother-in-law of Michael (Erica) Scherrer. Uncle of Kasia Scherrer. Special nephew of Eugene Dalton. John is further survived by other relatives and friends. He is now reunited with Grandma and Grandpa Dalton and Uncle Otis.

John was an alumni of the Thomas More High School Class of 1990 and a proud Army veteran.

Services are Monday and Tuesday.

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December 14, 2012 · 8:49 am

Man Killed In Thursday’s Crash Was From Caledonia

South Milwaukee police have identified the man killed in Thursday morning’s crash near 9th and Edgewood Avenues as 40-year-old John Janick of Caledonia.

Here is my previous post on this, and check out coverage in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Fox 6.

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December 13, 2012 · 8:05 am

Updated: Man Dies After Car Crashes Into South Milwaukee Home, Catches Fire

Update: Check out coverage from TMJ4, WISN and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

There was a scary — and tragic — incident early Thursday morning near 9th and Edgewood, as a car crashed into a house and caught fire, killing the driver and setting the home on fire.

Everyone in the house got out safely.

Check out an updated press release from the South Milwaukee Police Department, noting that police “were not actively pursuing the vehicle at the time of the crash.” From it:

On Thursday 12/13/12 at about 0151hrs, an SMPD officer, while running stationary radar, observed a vehicle pass him at approximately 25mph over the posted speed limit. The vehicle failed to stop for both audible and visual signals and subsequently crashed.

The fleeing vehicle had accelerated to a point that the officer could no longer see the vehicle.  The officer was not actively pursuing the vehicle at the time of the crash.  After traveling approximately 11 blocks, the officer discovered a vehicle which had crashed in the 700 block of Edgewood.  This vehicle is believed to have been the fleeing vehicle.

The vehicle was on fire and the fire spread to a nearby house.  The residents of the house were safely evacuated.  SMPD is still working to identify the driver, and lone occupant, who was deceased.   The Wisconsin State Patrol assisted in the accident investigation.  Investigation is ongoing.  No further information is available at this time.

Here is coverage, including video, from Fox 6.

I’ll keep you posted if I learn more.

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November 30, 2012 · 9:20 pm

Reminder: Winter Parking Restrictions Start This Weekend

So, what does that mean? Here is information from the South Milwaukee Police Department’s website …

During the period from December 1st to March 31st, no person shall park a vehicle on any street in the City of South Milwaukee between the hours of 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM.

However, vehicles may be parked during such hours if a permit is obtained from the Police Department after the filing of an application and the payment of $25.00 per month permit fee, $22.00 if obtained after the 15th of the month, or $80.00 for a 4-month permit.

Keep in mind the new “Holiday Permit” this year which runs from Dec. 15th  to January 15th….this is for college students or extended family visits (more than 7 days) over the holidays.  They are $25.00.

Any vehicle parked (with a permit) shall only be permitted to park on the EVEN numbered side of the street on those nights whose calendar date before midnight is even (N and W sides of the street are even).

Here is the city ordinance. See Chapter 28-10.

In other words, if you want to park overnight on city streets between now and March 31, get a permit. And, once you do get that permit, remember the alternate parking restrictions.

You can buy a permit at the South Milwaukee Police Department. Learn more here.

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November 10, 2012 · 4:58 pm

Winter Parking Permits On Sale

This from the South Milwauke Police Department … a reminder about the sale of winter parking permits.

Winter parking restrictions run from December 1 to March 31. Learn more here.

Winter parking permits will be for sale beginning November 1.

Permits can be purchased from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Police Department.

Permits are $25 per month or $80 for a permit that covers the entire season.

Buy your permits early — there will be no permits sold on weekends or holidays.

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October 16, 2012 · 10:23 pm

South Milwaukee Pedestrian Killed In Crash Identified

An earlier version of this post (and a WTMJ story) misidentified the victim. My apologies. Here is Mr. Budge’s obituary.

The 54-year-old South Milwaukee man who died Monday after being struck by a car on Loomis Road in Greenfield has been identified as David Budge.

Here is the WTMJ story. From it:

Former Greenfield Alderman Richard Eaton was saddened when he heard a man died while walking along that busy stretch of Loomis Road Monday afternoon.

“Safety is supposed to be the number one issue,” says former Alderman Eaton.  “Sidewalks are a safety issue.”

David Bulge (sic) was walking on the road, facing traffic, when a Cadillac Escalade drifted close to the curb and hit Bulge.

“When I saw someone was killed on a main road like this, you just get sick to your stomach,” says Eaton.  “You wonder what is holding people up.”

Eaton argued ten years ago that sidewalks should be put in along all busy roads in Greenfield.  He was recalled and lost his seat, and claims neighbors didn’t want to pay for, or shovel the sidewalks.

“I wish that ten years ago when I said someone is going to get run over and killed, that I was wrong,” says Eaton.

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October 15, 2012 · 10:25 pm

Reports: South Milwaukee Man Killed In Greenfield Crash

A 54-year-old South Milwaukee man was struck by an SUV and killed in Greenfield on Monday, multiple media outlets are reporting. Check out coverage from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WISN, WTMJ and Fox 6.

From the Journal Sentinel story:

The man was walking south on the east side of the roadway in the 4500 block about 3 p.m., police said. He was struck by a 2004 Cadillac Escalade driven by a 31-year-old Greendale woman who northbound on Loomis, but veered into the southbound lane, police said. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

I’ll keep you posted.

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September 26, 2012 · 11:13 am

More On The South Milwaukee Shooting

A 50-year-old woman is under arrest following Wednesday morning’s shooting of a 56-year-old man at the South Towne Apartments in South Milwaukee.

Check out out coverage in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Fox 6, WISN and WTMJ. Here is the press release ….

On September 26, 2012, at 1:37am, The South Milwaukee Police Department received a call of a 56 year old male who was shot at a residence on Southtowne Place in South Milwaukee.

The male was transported to Fredoert Hospital, where he is being treated.  The extent of his injuries is unknown at this time.

A 50 year old woman is in custody.

The South Milwaukee Police Department is seeking no other victims or suspects as a result of this incident.

More details will be available in the near future.

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September 26, 2012 · 6:35 am

Report: Shooting, Standoff In South Milwaukee

WTMJ is reporting there was a shooting and brief standoff early Wednesday morning near Southtowne Drive and College Avenue.

Here are details from the TV station. From the story:

The shooting and standoff happened at about 1:35 a.m. Wednesday near South Southtowne Drive and College Avenue. 

The victim was a 56-year-old man.  He was treated at Froedtert Hospital, and reportedly was able to assist police with information.

The arrested woman is 45 years old.

Reports have come in to Newsradio 620 WTMJ that someone was shot inside what was described as a large apartment complex, and the shooter was involved in a brief standoff with officers.

The standoff eventually ended.  Authorities evacuated neighbors from their apartments.

I’ll post more updates when I get them.

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