MADISON – Today, State Representative Joan Fitzgerald (D-Fort Atkinson) awarded Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff William Dandoy with the 2025 First Responder of the Year Award during this morning’s Assembly floor session.
Every year, each state representative nominates a first responder in their Assembly district to be honored with this award. Nominees typically include police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. The Assembly then conducts a ceremony to honor each individual.
Deputy Dandoy has held roles as Jefferson County DARE Officer, Community Oriented Policing Officer, Internship Coordinator, Citizens Police Academy Coordinator, School Safety and Active Threat Training Coordinator, and a Crisis Negotiator. He has also dedicated over 25 years of service to the Patrol Division, and was awarded the 2024 Crisis Intervention Training Officer of the Year award by the Jefferson County Human Services Department.
Following the ceremony, Rep. Fitzgerald released the following statement:
“I am so honored to recognize Deputy Dandoy for his extraordinary contributions to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office over the last three decades. His selfless dedication to public safety and the well-being of our communities exemplifies what it means to be a first responder.
“Deputy Dandoy has exhibited remarkable leadership through the multitude of roles he has held in the Sheriff’s Office. He serves the citizens of Jefferson County with a commitment to open communication, level-headedness, and sincere understanding. Ahead of his retirement, I am proud to bestow this honor upon him for his heroic service and sacrifice.”
