Respect For Law Day Ceremony

April 30, 2015

SPECIAL NEWS RELEASE

The 2015 Respect for Law Day observance in Sauk County has been scheduled for Monday May 11, 2015 beginning at 8:30am.  The annual event will be held on the Broadway Street side of the Historic Courthouse by the Memorial area.

The Respect for Law ceremony is part of the nationwide observance each May to recognize National Police Week and to honor law enforcement officers who have given their lives in service of their communities.  Sauk County uses this time to honor all those that serve in Public Safety in Sauk County.  In addition to Law Enforcement, Fire and EMS will also be honored.

Sauk County honors those law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty with their names placed on a Memorial that is placed outside the Courthouse.  Baraboo Police Officer Jermiah Buckley who died January 7, 1931 from a broken hip sustained on duty, Deputy James Jantz shot and killed on August 21, 1961, Sauk County Sgt. Cal Meeks who died on May 6, 1978 after suffering a heart attack during a search, Sauk County Sgt. Stuart Searles who died on June 10, 1984 when his helicopter crashed on his way to Barneveld to assist tornado victims, and Deputy Rich Weinke who was killed on April 5, 1998 in a vehicle crash while responding to back up another officer.

Sauk County also honors law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel that have passed away during service or passed away following retirement after serving their communities for a minimum of 15 years.  That Memorial is inside the west doors of the Courthouse.  This year we will be adding four names to that Memorial to honor members that passed away in 2014.  Firefighter Charles Carter served with Merrimac Fire Department from 1985 – 2001, Firefighter Lester Hicks served with Sauk City Fire Department from 1956 - 1988, Assistant Chief Roger Stieve served with the Baraboo Fire Department from     1964 – 1997, and Detective Philip Niles served with the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office from 1965 – 1986.

The public is invited to participate in the year’s event, which will begin at 8:30am.  There will be brief remarks given by the Baraboo Optimist Club and law enforcement personnel, and a flag ceremony and rifle salute being performed by the Sauk County Honor Guard.

The public is also invited to join us in the County Board Room at the West Square Building where coffee and cookies will be served immediately following the event.

Chip Meister, Sheriff

Sauk County, Wisconsin