Respect for Law Ceremony

SAUK COUNTY RESPECT FOR LAW DAY CEREMONY HONORS AREA PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL

Five Names to be added to the Memorial at the May 14 observance

Baraboo, WI (May 10, 2018) – The Sauk County 2018 Respect for Law Day observance, an annual event that honors both current and past area Public Safety personnel including law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services, will be held on Monday, May 14 at 8:30 a.m. on the west side (Broadway Street) of the historic Sauk County Courthouse. County residents are invited to attend the observance which will include a flag and wreath ceremony, a rifle salute by the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, brief remarks by John Stransky, retired Dean of the School of Human and Protective Services at Madison College, and the addition of five local names to the “Wall of Honor” Memorial located inside the Courthouse.

The wall currently memorializes 313 Sauk County men and women who served in law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services. Dedicated in May 2001, the “Wall of Honor” was placed inside the Courthouse by the Baraboo Optimist Club, a group who continues to partner with the area’s public safety teams. 

In addition, a Memorial stands outside of the Courthouse that lists the names of five individuals who dedicated their lives to law enforcement and died in the line of duty including  Baraboo Police Officer Jeremiah Buckley, Sauk County Deputy James Jantz, Sauk County Sgt. Calvin Meeks, Sauk County Sgt. Stuart Searles and Sauk County Deputy Richard Weinke.  The Memorial outside was built in 1986 by members of the Sauk County Law Enforcement Officers Association.

According to Sauk County Sheriff’s Office Detective Lieutenant Chris Zunker, the memorial event provides area public safety officials with the opportunity to honor their own and for the community to recognize and support their local teams.   “We encourage the public to attend to remember those officers that gave the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.  “Plus it’s a great time to thank the brave men and women who continue to serve and help to make us all stronger and safer every day.”

The names of the five local public safety officers that will be added this year to the memorial wall inside the courthouse include Sauk County Sheriff’s Office Captain Bernie Statz; Reedsburg Police Department Officer John Trago; Lake Delton Fire Department Assistant Chief Don Grieves; Lake Delton Fire Department Firefighter Larry Volkey and Baraboo Police Department Dispatcher/Secretary Ardene Voll.

Also in attendance to place wreaths honoring their own will be representatives from the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office, Baraboo Police Department, Reedsburg Police Department, Lake Delton Police Department, Spring Green and Plain Police Departments, Town of Lavalle Police Department, Sauk Prairie Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

The Sauk County Respect for Law Day ceremony is held each year in conjunction with National Police Week, a nationwide observance signed into law in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy, that honors law enforcement officers who have given their lives in service to their community and National Peace Officers Day. 

Following the ceremony, all attendees are invited to the County Board Room in the Sauk County West Square Building for light refreshments. 

Chip Meister

Sauk County Sheriff