Menomonee Falls Honoring National Police Week With Memorial Service

In recognition of National Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day, the Waukesha County Police Chaplains Association is holding a ceremony to honor fallen officers. 

Law enforcement officers, families and the public are invited to come and join in the annual Waukesha County Police Memorial Service held on Wednesday, May 15 at 7 p.m. at the Abundant Life Apostolic Church located at 995 S. Sawyer Rd., Oconomowoc. 

The Wisconsin State Patrol Honor Guard will present the colors and the Village of Menomonee Falls Honor Guard will be doing the rifle salute. Speakers include County Executive Dan Vrakas, County DA Brad Schimel and Waukesha Police Chiefs Association President Anna Ruzinski. Food and drinks will be available after the ceremony.

May 15 is also recognized as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. 

More than 19,000 names of fallen law enforcement officers are etched into the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial — and more are added every year.

The names of 321 officers killed in the line of duty – including Wauwatosa slain police officer Jennifer Sebena and Milwaukee County deputy Sergio Aleman – are being added this year to the memorial in Washington, D.C.

A number of Waukesha County officer names have been added to the memorial throughout the years: Quin Edward O'Brien (Waukesha County Sergeant), Michael Gesvain (Waukesha County Deputy Sheriff), William John Phipps Sr. (Waukesha County Deputy Sheriff) and Charles Snover (Waukesha County Deputy Sheriff).

Menomonee Fall Patch Facebook fans show gratitude towards officers:

Becca Levine: Officer Weber, the liaison officer at MFHS is an amazing guy. He was first responder when my son had a health issue at school and he cared for him when I couldn't. THANK YOU to Officer Weber for caring so much!!!

Michele Pittman: Thanks for the hard work Officer Sanders!

Vickie Dederich: A big thank you not only to all the officers who do a great job everyday but especially to some of the police officers I know who give a lot of volunteer time also. Rick Plumley, Dave Meyer, Jon Thoma, Jack Pitrof, Anna Ruzinski, Chris Campbell, Mark Waters and anyone else I may have missed.

Kerry Kearney: I've had nothing but good experiences with our police officers -- thru health emergency responses, neighborhood crimes, safety alerts, and volunteer events. We have the BEST police department!

Here are some of the top Menomonee Falls police stories from the year:

• Wife Attacks Husband After Finding Copies of The Onion in Car
• Child Trafficking Charges Could Land Falls Man 40 Years in Prison
• Bomb Squad Called to Home of the Man Accused of Spitting on a Cop
• Police Find Hundreds of Pounds of Explosives in Germantown Home
• 6 Arrested at MFHS Following Fight Thursday

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