Police honor heroic acts, commitment to community

It was 1:14 a.m. Jan. 28 when South Milwaukee police officers Francis Rotter and Edward Hallett were sent after a man who had threatened to throw himself into Lake Michigan.

The man was drunk and not dressed for the 10-degree winter weather.

Officers Carol Olson, Kathryn Klipfel and Craig Perkowski joined the effort to find the man. The officers followed footprints into Grant Park, where they saw a figure standing on an ice formation in the lake. Klipfel, Perkowski and Hallett carefully approached the man on the ice and brought him to safety.

Police Chief Ann Wellens said the officers put their lives at risk to save the resident.

"They put themselves in a potentially hazardous situation," Wellens said, adding, "The actions taken by the officers prevented the subject from dying or suffering serious injury."

For their efforts, the officers were awarded a Life Saving Commendation from the South Milwaukee Police Department on May 5.

In addition, awards were given to seven other officers and two civilians at the May 5 Common Council meeting. Auxiliary officer Don O'Kray received a Supervisory Recognition Award for 13 years of service to the department.

The awards were part of a celebration of National Police Week, May 11 to 16. Friday, May 15, is National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Traffic stop leads to drug bust

On Jan. 1, 2008, police officer Jonathan Rivamonte conducted a traffic stop, assisted by officer Steven Streicher.

The vehicle in question had been parked in front of a known drug house, and its driver was arrested for several violations. When Rivamonte and Streicher searched the car, they found more than 80 fraudulent prescriptions. The evidence later helped uncover a prescription drug ring spanning the metro Milwaukee area.

The officers worked with 12 law enforcement agencies for 10 months to develop cases against 16 people who were charged with drug crimes.

Wellens said the officers deserved a Merit Award for an excellent arrest of a felon who was endangering the lives and property of the community.

"Their professionalism and intuition highlights the commitment to the department and to the citizens of South Milwaukee," she said.

Quick thinking saves life

In August, South Milwaukee police officers Michael Hill and Daniel Fournier saved a man's life.

The officers were dispatched when a caller reported a man had collapsed while cutting the grass. When Hill and Fournier arrived, the man was not breathing and had no pulse. An ambulance was on the way.

The officers performed CPR until paramedics got to the scene and took over. The man was resuscitated and taken to the hospital.

The man died a few days later, but, Wellens said, the quick actions of Hill and Fournier allowed the man's family members a few more days to spend with their loved one.

"The family members were able to be with this individual," Wellens said. "He wasn't alone, laying in a yard."

For their efforts, the two officers received a Life Saving Commendation.

Citizens' roles in stopping crimes

Two citizens also received awards.

Jesse Rumpel awoke in the early morning of Sept. 29, 2008, to see someone breaking into vehicles outside his house. In only his boxer shorts, Rumpel left his home and held the suspect until police could arrive. It was later discovered that the suspect had been trying to pull a knife on Rumpel while police were en route.

On March 26, Dale Grenda helped officers find the gun used in a string of robberies earlier this year. Grenda found the gun hidden under some yard waste, where it was easily accessible to the young children living nearby. The gun was loaded and there was a bullet in its chamber.

Isral DeBruin can be reached at (262) 446-6608.