MADISON – State Representative Jessie Rodriguez (R-Oak Creek) presented Detective Joel Bateman of the Oak Creek Police Department with the First Responder of the Year Award during the Assembly Floor Session on Tuesday afternoon. The Wisconsin Assembly honored Detective Bateman and the other award recipients from around the state for First Responders Appreciation Month. Detective Bateman came to Madison with his wife, Sarah, and their two sons to receive the honor.

“For 26 years Detective Bateman has put himself in harm’s way to keep members of our community safe and help people in need,” said Rep. Rodriguez. “In that time, Detective Bateman has demonstrated outstanding leadership characteristics on the tactical team at the Oak Creek Police Department, and has excelled as an instructor, training law enforcement officers and members of the community alike on safety measures.”

The First Responder of the Year Award was created in 2019 to honor first responders from around the state for their outstanding service to their communities. Along with providing each award recipient with a legislative citation recognizing their achievement, the Assembly also passed a resolution declaring October 28th ‘First Responders Appreciation Day.’

“We are so lucky to have Detective Bateman in Oak Creek and are grateful for his service. Wisconsin as a whole is better off because of his dedication to our community’s safety,” Rep. Rodriguez concluded.

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