Respect for Law Ceremony - May 10th

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

The Sauk County 2021 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 10 at 8:30 a.m. on the west (Broadway Street) side of the historic Sauk County Courthouse. County residents are invited to attend the outdoor observance which will include a flag and wreath ceremony, a rifle salute by the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, and brief remarks by Sauk County District Attorney Michael Albrecht and other community members.

At this year’s event, the names of 12 first responders who died in 2020 will be added to the Memorial inside the Courthouse.  We will also be adding the names of 6 first responders who died in 2019, as we were unable to properly honor their commitment last year as the ceremony was postponed.  Together, these 18 men provided over 450 years of combined service to the County’s fire, emergency medical, and law enforcement agencies. The inside wall currently memorializes 322 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 also stands outside the Courthouse that lists the names of six individuals who dedicated their lives to law enforcement and died in the line of duty.  Those honored include Baraboo Police Officer Jeremiah Buckley, Sauk County Deputy James Jantz, Sauk County Sgt. Calvin Meeks, Sauk County Sgt. Stuart Searles, Sauk County Deputy Richard Weinke, and Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Anthony Borostowski.  The outside Memorial was built in 1986 by members of the Sauk County Law Enforcement Officers Association.

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, which honors law enforcement officers who have given their lives in service to their community and National Peace Officers Day.

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

Chip Meister

Sauk County Sheriff