Police officers, citizens recognized
Saving a person shot in the head. Reviving someone in the throes of a heroin overdose. Driving to safety after getting hit by a concrete block during a riot. Taking down a dangerous street gang.
These are just a few of the reasons Milwaukee police officers received honors Tuesday evening during the department’s annual Spring Merit Awards.
“When people comport themselves in a highly competent manner under extreme stress, when they exhibit personal courage, when they reach out and serve the community in an exemplary way, I think it’s necessary that we draw attention to those actions,” Police Chief Edward Flynn said.
Dozens of officers and several residents were recognized for their lifesaving and heroic efforts, including several related to high-profile crimes. The youngest honoree was Kevin Little, a 10-year-old boy who died after trying to save his 2-year-old cousin, Tae’Najah, in an arson. The man convicted of starting the fire was sentenced to 71 years in prison.
“By alerting his grandmother, he saved her life and the lives of two younger siblings and two younger cousins,” according to the Police Department. “Then in the ultimate act of bravery, he returned to Tae’Najah’s bedroom.”
The department’s Robbery Task Force and partners were honored for their work, which resulted in a nearly 50% drop in carjackings citywide during its first month of operation.
Detectives Erik Gulbrandson and James Hutchinson received the Excellence in Police Service Award for an investigation into the “Uptown Boys” with prosecutor Grant Huebner. The case led to a double life sentence for a man convicted of killing three people and trying to kill a fourth.
Officer Evan Domine received the Medal of Valor Combat Award, among the highest honors the department gives, for his work in arresting a domestic violence homicide suspect who was armed with a gun. Officer Andrew Schnell also received a service award for taking the suspect into custody. The suspect later told detectives his intent was for officers to shoot and kill him.
Officers Jason Daering and Jesse Mattson also received Medal of Valor Combat Awards for their actions during a confrontation with an armed robbery suspect a year ago. When officers found the suspect behind a garage, he fired a gun at them and hit one officer, Shane Bishop, in his chest.
The bullet was stopped by the officer’s body armor. Bishop received the Purple Star Award. The suspect was killed in the exchange of gunfire and prosecutors determined the officers had acted in self-defense.
The only other Purple Star Award was given to Officer Jennifer Hall, who was one of many officers to respond to rioting in the Sherman Park neighborhood after a fatal police shooting. As she drove to the area, someone threw a chunk of concrete through the window of her squad car and hit her in the head, causing a concussion and a cut that required several stitches.
Hall managed to control her squad car and drove a few blocks away to meet with other officers who helped her get treatment at a hospital.