The annual Wisconsin State Patrol awards ceremony was held Wednesday to recognize the exemplary public service of individuals who have gone above and beyond in their job duties. This year’s event in Wisconsin Dells honored 33 state employees and one civilian responder for their lifesaving efforts and exceptional public service.
Governor Tony Evers joined Wisconsin Department of Transportation leaders and spoke at the ceremony.
“Responding to life-or-death situations, enforcing traffic laws that make our highways safer, and building the foundations of our state’s traffic safety programs – the Wisconsin State Patrol plays a vital role in the safety and security of not only our transportation system but our state,” Gov. Evers said. “We are glad to recognize their service and sacrifices – and the service and sacrifices of their loved ones and families – with these awards today.”
Lifesaving and Meritorious Service awards recognize those who saved lives or put themselves in physical danger to keep someone else safe. The Commendable Service, Superintendent’s Commendation, and employee of the year categories acknowledge accomplishments that contributed to WisDOT’s key mission to build a safe and efficient transportation system.
“The outstanding actions we recognize today raise the bar and demonstrate exceptional commitment to WisDOT’s core values,” Secretary Craig Thompson said. “Protecting our communities is one of the toughest jobs in state government, but every award recipient we’re honoring has stepped up to the challenge and worked through the stresses of the job to continue to keep us safe.”
Employees were nominated by their peers and selected to receive recognition for their actions by the State Patrol Awards Committee.
“Our daily mission, to serve the people of Wisconsin, is a familiar and constant theme in each of the award recipient’s stories. They’re stories of survival, innovation, and excellence, and each one reveals the true character of our Wisconsin State Patrol family,” Superintendent Tim Carnahan said.
More information about the awards recipients and their work is in the ceremony program and below.
Photos of the recipients are available here.
Lifesaving Effort Award
| Award recipient | Post | ||
| Trooper Cody Digre | Tomah | ||
| Trooper Nicholas Erickson | Fond du Lac | ||
| Inspector Thomas Fleming | Spooner | ||
| Trooper Jake Fricke (2) | Spooner | ||
| Inspector Joshua Lintula | Spooner | ||
| Trooper Ryan Roth | Eau Claire | ||
| Trooper Jacob Sampson | Wausau | ||
| Trooper Caleb Truax | Fond du Lac | ||
| Inspector Paul Voigt | Spooner |
Lifesaving Award
| Award recipient | Post | ||
| Trooper Gary Cowan | Retired | ||
| Inspector Jonathan Fenrick | DeForest | ||
| Trooper Nathaniel Hausman | Tomah | ||
| Jacob Hiither (civilian) | Freeway Service Team member | ||
| Trooper Brandon Jensen | Eau Claire | ||
| Trooper Michael Knowlton | Waukesha | ||
| Trooper Timothy Knutson | Eau Claire | ||
| Trooper Michael Lawson | Waukesha | ||
| Trooper Alexander Lintner | Waukesha | ||
| Trooper Justin Luangaram | DeForest | ||
| Trooper Chris Senkbeil | Waukesha | ||
| Sergeant Joseph Stephens | Waukesha | ||
| Inspector Dylan Strasburg | DeForest |
Special Recognition
| Award | Award recipient | Post | |||
| Commendable Service | Inspector Tye Howver | Retired | |||
| Commendable Service | Sgt. Mathew Strickland | Wausau | |||
| Meritorious Service | Trooper Jesus Aguilar | Waukesha | |||
| Meritorious Service | Trooper Christopher Bridges | DeForest | |||
| Meritorious Service | Trooper Megan LaFave | Wausau | |||
| Meritorious Service | Trooper Alex Medina | Waukesha | |||
| Superintendent’s Commendation | Trooper Brett Boley | Eau Claire | |||
| Superintendent’s Commendation | Trooper Christina Holtz (3) | Tomah |
Employees of the Year
| Award | Award recipient | Post | |||
| Inspector of the Year | Inspector Richard Kastner | Spooner | |||
| Trooper of the Year | Trooper Nicholas Lorenzen | Waukesha | |||
| Civilian Employee of the Year | David Malisch | Headquarters | |||
| Dispatcher of the Year | Erin McKay | Traffic Management Center |
