MIDDLETON — As part of the annual State Patrol awards ceremony today, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers recognized 59 people, including law enforcement officers, other government employees and residents for lifesaving efforts and exemplary public service.
“Every day, Wisconsin’s emergency responders go above and beyond the call of duty to serve and protect our communities and folks across our state,” Evers said in a news release. “These annual awards provide an important opportunity to recognize their extraordinary dedication and professionalism, and to thank them for their service.”
Along with enforcing traffic laws, assisting stranded motorists and inspecting commercial motor vehicles, State Patrol officers serve in many roles including K-9 handlers, drone and aircraft pilots and crash reconstruction experts.
Lifesaving Awards (Efforts that maintained or saved a life.)
| Award recipient | Agency | Hometown |
| Sgt. Clarissa Justmann | North Fond du Lac PD | |
| Andrew Radovan | Civilian | |
| Sgt. Clint Beck | State Patrol | Eden, WI |
| Sgt. Luke Newman | State Patrol | Fond du Lac, WI |
| Trooper Jordan Matuseski | State Patrol | Beaver Dam, WI |
| Trooper Coady Schiltz | State Patrol | |
| Inspector Mark Barlar | State Patrol | |
| Sgt. Clarissa Justmann | North Fond du Lac PD | |
| Trooper Brock Rizzo | State Patrol | Spooner, WI |
| Trooper Jeff Zuzunaga | State Patrol | |
| Trooper Darrick Lorbecki | State Patrol | |
| Trooper Timothy Westphal | State Patrol | Minocqua, WI |
| Inspector Creighton Schwark | State Patrol | Brown Deer, WI |
| Trooper Jeff Splinter | State Patrol | |
| Trooper Ryan Rattunde | State Patrol | Necedah, WI |
| Trooper Todd Carl | State Patrol | |
| Sgt. Jennifer Austin | State Patrol | Sturgeon Bay, WI |
| Carmen D. McVane | Civilian | |
| Trooper Michael Knowlton | State Patrol | Rochester, MN |
| Inspector Jerrick Krueger | State Patrol | Ozaukee County |
Lifesaving Effort Awards (Recognizes significant or prolonged lifesaving efforts.)
| Award recipient | Agency | Hometown | |||
| Trooper Jon Kersten | State Patrol | ||||
| Trooper Dave Meredith | State Patrol | ||||
| Officer John White | Brookfield Police Dept. | ||||
| Trooper David Gibson | State Patrol | Fond du Lac, WI | |||
| Trooper Mark Samborski | State Patrol | ||||
| Trooper Logan Christel | State Patrol | ||||
| Brian Payne | Law enforcement dispatcher | ||||
| Inspector Creighton Schwark | State Patrol | ||||
| Inspector Dylan Strasburg | State Patrol | Lake Mills, WI | |||
| Trooper Anna Waterman | State Patrol | Amery, WI | |||
| Trooper Troy Stage | State Patrol |
Commendable Service Awards (Highly creditable acts that are above and beyond normal job expectations/accomplishments that enhance efficiency/effectiveness.)
| Award recipient | Agency | Hometown |
| John Scherbert | State Patrol | Endeavor, WI |
| Inspector Mark Barlar | State Patrol | Racine, WI |
| Inspector Karl Kronau | State Patrol | |
| Robert Stein | State Patrol |
Meritorious Service Awards (Efforts that exceed duty expectations and place officers at risk.)
| Award recipient | Agency | Hometown |
| Trooper Anthony Olson | State Patrol | Bloomer, WI |
| Trooper Jacob Edwards | State Patrol | Sparta, WI |
| Inspector Travis Lauer | State Patrol | Edgerton, WI |
| Trooper Brandon Ferrell | State Patrol | |
| Capt. Andrew Lyga | WI Dept. of Corrections | Edgerton, WI |
Trooper of the Year
| Award recipient | Agency | Hometown |
| Trooper Jamie Kahkola | State Patrol | Green Bay, WI |
Inspector of the Year
| Award recipient | Agency | Hometown |
| Inspector Ryan Schultz | State Patrol | Kronenwetter, WI |
Dispatcher of the Year
| Award recipient | Agency | Hometown |
| Carol Walsh | Law enforcement dispatcher | Sand Creek, WI |
Civilian Employee of the Year
| Award recipient | Agency | Hometown |
| Paul Burkard | State Patrol | Madison, WI |
Unit Citation – State Patrol K-9 Unit (Recognizes a work unit that has exhibited a significant degree of team effort.)
| Award recipient | Agency | Hometown |
| Sgt. Todd Brehm | State Patrol | Janesville, WI |
| Trooper Alex Trofin | State Patrol | |
| Trooper Justin Glasener | State Patrol | |
| Trooper Christopher Reyna | State Patrol | |
| Trooper Dillon Larson | State Patrol | |
| Trooper Evan Fox | State Patrol | |
| Trooper David McCarthy | State Patrol | |
| Trooper Derek Bergum | State Patrol | |
| Trooper Darrick Lorbecki | State Patrol |
Superintendent Commendation Awards (Recognizes employees who have achieved a superior level of proficiency in law enforcement activities.)
Speed Enforcement
| Award recipient | Agency | Hometown |
| Trooper David Arras | State Patrol | Eau Claire, WI |
Seat Belt Enforcement
| Award recipient | Agency | Hometown |
| Trooper Ron Zenk | State Patrol |
Impaired Driving Enforcement
| Award recipient | Agency | Hometown |
| Trooper Brett Boley | State Patrol | Chippewa Falls, WI |
| Melissa Kimball | State Patrol Chem Test | Oconomowoc, WI |
Highway Criminal Interdiction Enforcement
| Award recipient | Agency | Hometown |
| Trooper Zach Sincoular | State Patrol |
Superintendent’s Commendation
| Award recipient | Agency | Hometown |
| Inspector Dan Slick | State Patrol | Superior, WI |
State Patrol recruiting
The next State Patrol recruitment cycle – when men and women can apply to serve as troopers or inspectors – begins Nov. 11 and ends Jan. 12, 2020. More information can be found at wistatepatroljobs.wi.gov.
