Slain officer recalled as tough, funny
Weiland, 40, killed after bank shootings
WESTON - Jason Weiland was the kind of friend who would respond to a call in a heartbeat and leave his buddy feeling better.
Weiland, 40, a veteran detective for the Everest Metro Police Department, died Wednesday when he was shot in the line of duty.
He leaves behind a family and a group of longtime friends, some of whom shared with USA TODAY NETWORK Wisconsin their memories of him as funny, sensitive and tough.
He was shot establishing a perimeter around Aspen Street Apartments in Weston following shootings at Marathon Savings Bank in Rothschild and the Tlusty, Kennedy & Dirks law office in Schofield.
Three civilians also died during the spree. Suspected gunman Neng my Vang, 45, was later shot by police. He survived but has been under “intense medical care,” police said.
“That police force sure lost a special guy,” said Eric Wetzel, who graduated from high school with Weiland in 1995 and now lives in Iowa. He and Weiland were in each other’s weddings.
The Everest Metro detective established a group of friends at John Muir Middle School in Wausau who stayed close through Wausau West High School and into adulthood. The friends continued to meet at least once a year to draft fantasy football teams.
Weiland had a rough and tough exterior but was very loving, Wetzel said. That’s what made him a wonderful father, Wetzel said.
“He never judged you. He was kind of that comfortable friend,” Wetzel said. “He was that guy I could always rely on, who I could pour my heart to.”
Dan Rennie and Weiland’s friendship dates back to middle school, and they were groomsmen for each other.
“He was there for the birth of my two children,” Rennie said. “I was there for the birth of his two children.”
Wetzel choked up talking about how Weiland worked to become a leader in the Everest Metro department, investing and training others in his job there.
“The Everest Metro (position) was his dream job,” Wetzel said. “He just believed in protecting people.”
Two visitations for Weiland are scheduled this week in the D.C. Everest Senior High School gym.
Weiland’s friends plan to wear Packers gear to the visitation, Wetzel said.
The three other victims of Wednesday’s shooting spree are Marathon Savings Bank employees Dianne Look, 67, and Karen Barclay, 62, as well as attorney Sara Quirt Sann, 43. Details on their visitations have not been shared yet.
A candlelight vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at Kennedy Park in Weston.