By Brian L. Willison
Chair of Wisconsin Law Enforcement
Memorial, Inc.
No Wisconsin law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 1999. That makes 1999 one of the safest years of the decade. This is in sharp contrast to 1998, which was the deadliest year with five line-of-duty deaths reported. In all, 24 of our brother and sister Wisconsin law enforcement officers died during the last decade. As of this writing, March 31, no Wisconsin officers have died in 2000.
These Wisconsin law enforcement heroes will be remembered and honored at the Tenth Annual Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony scheduled for Friday, May 19, 2000, at the State Capitol in Madison. This year’s Honor Roll will contain the names of Langlade County Sheriff Edward Buchen who died in 1933, and Milwaukee County Deputy Howard F. Grundman who was killed in 1934. Their names will join those of 213 other Wisconsin law enforcement officers who have died serving their communities since 1884.
As in past years, beginning at 9:30 a.m., squads will gather in Olin Park, off John Nolen Drive. The squads will leave the park at approximately 11:30 a.m. for the Capitol Square. The ceremony itself will begin at noon and is followed by a lunch at 1:00 p.m. Please plan on attending these events to remember and honor our Wisconsin law enforcement heroes, their families, friends and co-workers. The emotions of being part of the hundreds of officers, law enforcement survivors and supporters gathered to remember and honor the supreme sacrifice is indescribable. If you have never attended this event, you are missing one of the greatest law enforcement events you will ever experience.
Light At The End Of The Tunnel
To date over $400,000 has been raised to pay the cost of constructing the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial. Several hundred of you have contributed to this effort and each of you should feel a sense of pride in knowing you played a part in putting the Memorial on the Capitol grounds. With only $30,000 to go, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it seems like an uphill grade. The WLEM Board hopes to raise the last amount needed to retire the debt yet this year. With a major effort on the part of the Wisconsin law enforcement family, we could have it done by this year’s ceremony and go into the millennium free of this debt. Those wishing to help can send their tax deductible donations to WLEM, P.O. Box 2733, Madison, Wisconsin 52701-2733. If agencies, associations and groups are interested in hosting a fund raising event, please contact WLEM at the above address. Your participation in fund raising events will also help.
Third Annual Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial Golf Outing
The Sauk County Deputy Sheriff’s Association will host the Third Annual Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial Golf Outing on Thursday, September 21, 2000, at Devils Head Resort in Merrimac, Wisconsin. Proceeds from the event are shared by the Wisconsin Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), a law enforcement survivor’s support group, and Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial, Inc. Devil’s Head is a beautiful course set in the hills near the Baraboo Bluffs. The event includes 18 holes of golf, cart, prizes, and a dinner. There is a limit to the number of teams allowed, so get your foursome together, register and make plans for a fun-filled day. For more information and registration details, contact Kevin Fults or Joe Welch at the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office, (608) 356-4895.
