HomeMy WebLinkAboutOPD_NewsletterPatrol Division..................27
CID...................................33
The Chief's Corner
Deyartmen,
Job Well Done! ................57
As the 2025 year comes to an end, we have seen exciting changes and great sue
the year. During the second half of the year, we celebrated the retirement u.. ..,..b �.r.....b
Detective, congratulated the promotion of 3 new Sergeants and 2 new Detectives , and welcomed
11 new Police Officers. Thank you to our recent retiree for his exceptional dedication and service
to the department and to the Oshkosh community. We look forward to the exceptional leadership of
our new supervisors and the professional development and growth of our new Detectives.
Welcome to all the new employees who joined the Oshkosh Police Department. We're happy to
have you on our team!
Like all law enforcement agencies across the state, recruitment remains both a challenge and a
priority for us. I want to acknowledge the outstanding work of our Recruitment Team and
supervisors who have worked tirelessly to recruit and mentor new candidates and Community
Service Officers to become future Police Officers. We have seen the positive results of their efforts.
I would also like to recognize and thank all of our officers and staff for stepping up their efforts in
2025 while we worked through staffing shortages. Because of their hard work, we were able to
keep our community safe. Keep up the great work!
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Once again, the summer months were extremely busy for the department, filled with special events: The
Farmer's' Market, runs and marches, National Night Out, Lemonade With A Cop, just to name a few.
Despite their busy schedules, officers still found time to iarticipate in many of the events and
activities. They even found time to sponsor events such as the 4 Annual Youth Leadership Camp and the
7`h Annual Mental Health and Wellness Family Picnic.
It has been nearly 6 months since the opening of our homeless outreach center, officially named HOME
Base (Homeless Outreach and Mental Empowerment) located at 101 Algoma Boulevard. The center
houses our Community Impact Team, which is supervised by a Sergeant and includes our Behavioral
Health Officer and therapy K9 Gema, two Co -Responders, and eventually a Community Outreach Officer.
The Community Impact Team has already made a significant difference in our community. When they are
not connecting our vulnerable citizens to resources and assistance, addressing the rapidly growing mental
health crises, providing education, or building strong community partnerships with local businesses, they
are a constant source of comfort and support to those in need. I am incredibly proud of the work this team
is doing and excited to see what their continuing outreach efforts can do for the Oshkosh community!
Congratulations to the entire department on the award of our 10`h CALEA advanced re -accreditation in
November. Specifically, I would like to thank our Professional Standards Division Lieutenant for his hard
work and dedication in the achievement of this re -accreditation. This award is a symbol of our
commitment to provide the Oshkosh community with the highest level of exceptional service.
With the Christmas season upon us, through the kindness and generosity of businesses and citizens, we
were once again able to participate in programs such as the Lights of Christmas, Shop With A Cop, Heroes
and Helpers, and Santa's Workshop. These programs provide gift cards, gifts, and heartwarming
experiences to children and families in need. A heartfelt thank you to the officers and donors who work
together to make Christmas a little merrier for others!
I would like to recognize the Criminal Investigation and Patrol Divisions for working hard to keep our
streets clean from drugs and our neighborhoods safe from crime. Thank you to the dedicated employees
who work behind the scenes to support all operations of the department. Together we are what makes the
Oshkosh Police Department an exceptional team!
While 2025 has been a great year here at OPD, I'm looking forward to an even better 2026! The new year
will bring exciting opportunities with new assignments, new promotions, and new advancements in
technology and training.
Enjoy spending quality time with family and friends throughout the holiday season.
Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
'-Chief Dean Smith
ADMINISTRATIVE BUREAU
Captain Matthew Harris
As the year comes to an end, I want to offer my sincere thanks for everyone's hard work this
year and hope all of you will find time to spend with family and friends. There is much to
report from the Administrative Bureau since the last newsletter with staff turnover, selection
processes, and work initiatives.
In November, Detective Paul Frey retired after 32 years of service. We thank him for his
service, and we wish him well in his future endeavors.
We hired several Police Cadets who began the Recruit Academy training at FVTC in Appleton.
• July —Andrew McCoy and Noah Alford
• December — Tyler Snell, Benjamin Boelter (former CSO), Evan Knaggs (former
CSO), and Alyssa Jungwirth
In August, we hired a lateral transfer Police Officer. We welcomed Jacob Mocadlo as he
started the Field Training Program as an Officer.
Also in August, we had 4 Police Cadets graduate from the FVTC Academy and start their Field
Training Program as Officers. We welcome Officers Dante Hesse, Nathan Dudzinski, Nicklas
Vey, and Jared Rivera.
In October, we had 3 Police Cadets graduate from the FVTC Academy and start their Field
Training Program as Officers. We welcome Officers Andrew Simons, Ella Purvis, and
Connor Cross.
In December, we had 2 Police Cadets graduate from the FVTC Academy, and also hired an
additional graduate from the FVTC Academy who will all start their Field Training Program as
Officers. We welcome Officers Andrew McCoy, Noah Alford, and Brenton Eliason.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUREAU
On the civilian side of the department, we hired several positions:
• Community Service Officer — Austin Ewing (former PCO)
• Parking Control Officer — Trinity Benicke, Morgan Rogstad
• Telecommunications Clerk — Abby Traxinger (former CSO)
We wish all of our new hires well and expect big things from them in the future. We are
actively working to fill additional vacancies for Police Officer and CSOs. I will have more to
report on those positions in the next newsletter.
In the second half of the year, we ran several selection processes for various special teams and
assignments. Those added to special teams and/or continuing in their special assignment were:
• Behavioral Health Officer — Scott Sopata (continuing)
• Public Affairs/Crime Prevention Officer — Kate Mann (continuing)
• Field Training Officer — Austin Wunnicke, Jason Konitzer, Austin Magedanz,
Alex Fowler, Evan Atkinson
• Sniper — Matt Christensen
• SWAT — Sam Schuldes
Several promotions also took place in the second half of the year. Those promoted were:
• Promoted to Sergeant — Cody Rukamp, Chee Yang, Jason Konitzer
• Promoted to Detective — Tyler Mentink, Zach Wilkens
The Administrative Bureau has been focusing on hosting trainings at the Oshkosh Police
Department in an effort to bring quality training to our Officers.
The Administrative Bureau also continues to focus on obtaining national accreditation through
the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA). Benefits of accreditation
are:
• Increased community advocacy
• Staunch support from government officials
• Stronger defense against civil lawsuits
• Reduced risk and liability exposure
• Greater accountability within the agency
CALEA assessments occur annually remotely over a 4 -year cycle and culminate with an
on -site visit in the 4a` year. A CALEA Assessor visited mid -August for an on -site visit and
assessed the department for continued accreditation, which was awarded in November.
* * HAPPY *
* * * *
On November 14, 2025, the Oshkosh Police Department said goodbye to Detective Paul Frey
who retired after proudly serving the Department and the City of Oshkosh for 32 years! During
his tenure with the Department, he performed the duties of a Patrol Officer before being
promoted on January 22, 2007, to the rank of Detective where he has served for nearly 19 years.
In addition to his Patrol and Detective duties, Paul served six years as a MEG Unit Investigator,
two years as a Drug Task Force Investigator, and two years as a Vice and Narcotics Unit
Investigator. Throughout his career, Paul earned a Medal of Valor in 1997, a Commendation
Medal in 2000, Commendation Letters in 2007, (2) in 2014, and (2) in 2015, Noteworthy
Performance of Duty Awards in 2017, (2) in 2018, 2021, and 2024, a Department
Commendation Award in 2022, Officer of the Quarter Award in 2022, Police Officer of the Year
Award in 2022, along with several commendation letters and Supervisor's Logs for his
commendable actions in the line of duty. Detective Frey served as a former Field Training
Officer and as a former member of the SWAT Team. Detective Frey is most notably recognized
for his exceptional leadership in organizing and investigating Human Trafficking in all forms,
including illegal massage parlors, prostitution and pandering. In his unrelenting efforts to
combat Human Trafficking, he became a valuable resource for other agencies and a unified
partner with advocacy groups that provide assistance to the victims of these crimes. We want to
sincerely thank Detective Frey for his many years of dedicated and exceptional service to the
Oshkosh Police Department and to the City of Oshkosh. Congratulations Paul and best wishes
for a happy, healthy retirement —enjoy the journey!
=06
During a Police and Fire Commission meeting on Tuesday, November 11, the Oshkosh Police
Department celebrated the promotion of Officer Tyler Mentink to the rank of Detective.
Congratulations Tyler!!
Detective Tyler Mentink has been with the Oshkosh Police Department for approximately 15
years beginning on December 12, 2010. During his tenure with the Oshkosh Police
Department, he has performed the duties of a Patrol Officer exceptionally well, earning a
Department Commendation Award in 2016, Officer of the Second Quarter Award in 2016, as
well as several letters of recognition and Supervisor Logs for his commendable actions in the
line of duty. Detective Mentink actively serves as a member of the Drone Team, Crash
Investigation Team, the Bike Patrol Unit, and serves as a Certified Search Specialist for Project
Lifesaver. Tyler also served as a former Field Training Officer.
During a Police and Fire Commission meeting on Tuesday, December 16, the Oshkosh Police
Department celebrated the promotion of Officer Zachary Wilkens to the rank of Detective.
Congratulations Zach!!
Detective Zachary Wilkens has been with the Oshkosh Police Department for nearly 9 years,
beginning on January 3, 2017. During his tenure with the Oshkosh Police Department, he has
performed the duties of a Patrol Officer exceptionally well. In November 2023, Zachary was
assigned to the Vice and Narcotics Unit as an Investigator. Throughout his career, he earned
Department Commendation Awards in 2019, two in 2024, and 2025, Police Officer of the First
Quarter Award in 2021, Noteworthy Performance of Duty Awards in 2018, 2021, and 2025,
Police Officer of the Year Award in 2024, as well as letters of recognition for his commendable
actions in the line of duty. Detective Wilkens is a Field Training Officer and actively serves as a
member of the SWAT Team and Mobile Field Force Team. Zachary also served as a former
Police Explorer Advisor.
During a Police and Fire Commission meeting on Tuesday, December 16, the Oshkosh Police
Department celebrated the promotion of Detective Chee Vang to the rank of Sergeant.
Congratulations Chee!!
Sergeant Chee Vang has been with the Oshkosh Police Department for over 18 years,
beginning on June 25, 2007. During his tenure with the Oshkosh Police Department, he has
performed the duties of a Patrol Officer exceptionally well. Chee was selected as a MEG Unit
Investigator before being promoted to Detective on January 14, 2013. From 2013 - 2015, Ser-
geant Vang served as a Drug Task Force Investigator. In 2020, he served as a School Resource
Officer until his transition back to Detective in 2022. Throughout his career, Sergeant Vang
received a Letter of Commendation in 2011, 2014 and 2015, a Commendation Medal in 2011,
Team Policing Officer of the Year Award in 2016, a Lifesaving Award in 2017, Noteworthy
Performance of Duty Awards in 2018, 2022, and 2025, Officer of the 4th Quarter Award in
2023, a Community Service Award in 2023, and a Department Commendation Award in 2025,
along with several letters and Supervisor's Logs recognizing him for his commendable actions
in the line of duty. Sergeant Vang is a member of the Crisis Negotiator Team and a former
D.A.R.E. instructor.
During a Police and Fire Commission meeting on Tuesday, December 16, the Oshkosh Police
Department celebrated the promotion of Officer Jason Konitzer to the rank of Sergeant.
Congratulations Jason!!
Sergeant Jason Konitzer has been with the Oshkosh Police Department for 5 years, beginning
on June 10, 2020. Sergeant Konitzer served in the United States Air Force from May 2012 -
May 2018 as a Security Force Specialist, completing one Tour of Duty (Afghanistan in 2014).
During his tenure with the Oshkosh Police Department, he has performed the duties of a
Patrol Officer exceptionally well. Sergeant Konitzer actively serves as a Field Training Officer
and is a member of the Bike Patrol Unit, Honor Guard Team, and Recruitment Team.
=06
During a Police and Fire Commission meeting on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the Oshkosh
Police Department celebrated the promotion of Officer Cody Rukamp to the rank of Sergeant.
Congratulations Cody!!
Sergeant Cody Rukamp has been with the Oshkosh Police Department for 9 years, beginning
on October 24, 2016. Sergeant Rukamp enlisted in the Army National Guard right out of high
school where he continues to actively serve. During his tenure with the Oshkosh Police
Department, he has performed the duties of a Patrol Officer exceptionally well, earning
Lifesaving Awards in 2020 and 2024, Department Commendation Awards in 2021 and 2024,
Police Officer of the 3rd Quarter in 2021, and a Noteworthy Performance of Duty Award in
2024 for his commendable actions in the line of duty. Sergeant Rukamp actively serves as a
Field Training Officer, a member of the K9 Unit, as well as a member of the Bike Patrol Unit
and Mobile Field Force Team. He is a former member of the Recruitment Team and served as a
former Police Explorer Advisor.
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On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, during a Police and Fire Commission meeting,
the Oshkosh Police Department celebrated the hiring of Patrol Officer Jacob
Mocadlo. Jacob Mocadlo is originally from Bancroft, Wisconsin, where he was homeschooled during high school, earning a high school diploma in
' ' J 2016. He then attended Mid -State Technical College where he completed
j his Wisconsin Law Enforcement Certification in April 2018.
Jacob was most recently employed as a Police Officer with the Fox Valley
Metro Police Department, serving for the past 3 years. Previously, Jacob
worked as a Police Officer with the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department, a part
-time Police Officer with the Red Granite Police Department, and as a part-time Boat Patrol
Officer with the Town of Rome Police Department.
II
On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, during a Police and Fire Commission meeting,
• the Oshkosh Police Department celebrated the hiring of Police Cadet
°° / Nicklas Vey to the position of Patrol Officer. Nicklas joined the Oshkosh
4 Police Department as a Cadet on March 3, 2025. He completed his
'r Wisconsin Law Enforcement Certification on August 8, 2025, through Fox
Valley Technical College.
Nicklas Vey is originally from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he graduated
from Oshkosh West High School in 2021. Nicklas is a 2025 graduate from the
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, earning a Bachelor's degree in Criminal
Justice. Nicklas has served as an active member of the United States Army
Reserves since July 2020. Nicklas Vey was previously employed as a Community
Service Officer with the Oshkosh Police Department.
12
On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, during a Police and Fire Commission meeting,
• the Oshkosh Police Department celebrated the hiring of Police Cadet
d" = Jared Rivera to the position of Patrol Officer. Jared Rivera joined the
Oshkosh Police Department as a Cadet on March 3, 2025. He completed
` his Wisconsin Law Enforcement Certification on August 8, 2025, through
Fox Valley Technical College.
Jared Rivera is originally from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he graduated
' from Oshkosh West High School in 2016. Jared then served in the U.S. Army.
After his transfer from active duty to the Army National Guard, he earned a
technical diploma in Electricity from Fox Valley Technical College in 2020. Jared
served for five years in the Army National Guard until his honorable discharge in May
2024. Jared was previously employed as a yard truck driver/fork lift operator at N & M
Transfer Company.
13
;-�+ On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, during a Police and Fire Commission meeting,
the Oshkosh Police Department celebrated the hiring of Police Cadet
Dante Hesse to the position of Patrol Officer. Dante joined the Oshkosh
Police Department as a Cadet on March 28, 2025. He completed his
Wisconsin Law Enforcement Certification on August 8, 2025, through Fox
Valley Technical College.
Dante Hesse is originally from Winneconne, Wisconsin, where he graduated
from Winneconne High School in 2018. Dante then enlisted in the U.S. Marine
Corps, serving four years until his honorable discharge in 2022. He is currently
enrolled at American Military University pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice. Dante
Hesse was previously employed as a heavy equipment operator at Zillges Materials.
On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, during a Police and Fire Commission meeting,
the Oshkosh Police Department celebrated the hiring of Police Cadet
Nathan Dudzinski to the position of Patrol Officer. Dante joined the
Oshkosh Police Department as a Cadet on March 28, 2025. He completed
his Wisconsin Law Enforcement Certification on August 8, 2025, through
Fox Valley Technical College.
Nathan Dudzinski is originally from Huntley, Illinois, where he graduated
from Huntley High School in 2021. Nathan attended McHenry County College
where he completed two Associate degrees, one in Construction Management
and the other in Criminal Justice in December 2024. Nathan Dudzinski was previously
employed as a warehouse worker with the Railway Supply Group.
On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, during a Police and Fire Commission
• meeting, the Oshkosh Police Department celebrated the hiring of Police
Cadet Ella Purvis to the position of Patrol Officer. Ella joined the Oshkosh
Police Department as a Cadet on May 5, 2025. She completed her
Wisconsin Law Enforcement Certification on October 10, 2025, through
Fox Valley Technical College.
Ella Purvis is originally from Columbus, Wisconsin, where she graduated
from Columbus High School in 2021. Ella Purvis is a 2025 graduate of
Moraine Park Technical College where she earned an Associate degree in
Criminal Justice. Ella was previously employed as a Community Service Officer with
the Oshkosh Police Department.
16
On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, during a Police and Fire Commission
• meeting, the Oshkosh Police Department celebrated the hiring of Police
Cadet Connor Cross to the position of Patrol Officer. Connor joined the
Oshkosh Police Department as a Cadet on May 12, 2025. He completed his
- Wisconsin Law Enforcement Certification on October 10, 2025, through
+ Fox Valley Technical College.
Connor Cross is originally from Appleton, Wisconsin, where he graduated
from Appleton West High School in 2023. He then attended Fox Valley
Technical College, earning an Associate degree in Criminal Justice in May 2025.
Connor Cross was previously employed as a Community Service Officer with the
Oshkosh Police Department.
17
On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, during a Police and Fire Commission
meeting, the Oshkosh Police Department celebrated the hiring of Police
L
y Cadet Andrew Simons to the position of Patrol Officer. Andrew joined the
Oshkosh Police Department as a Cadet on May 5, 2025. He completed his
' 1t Wisconsin Law Enforcement Certification on October 10, 2025, through
Fox Valley Technical College.
Andrew Simons is originally from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he graduated
from Oshkosh West High School in 2015. Andrew then enlisted in the U.S.
Marine Corps, serving five years until his honorable discharge in 2020. Andrew
Simons was previously employed as a Sales Associate at Harley Davidson of Appleton.
18
On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, during a Police and Fire Commission
meeting, the Oshkosh Police Department celebrated the hiring of Police
• Cadet Noah Alford to the position of Patrol Officer. Noah joined the
• ' Oshkosh Police Department as a Cadet on June 23, 2025. He completed his
Wisconsin Law Enforcement Certification on December 12, 2025, through
1 Fox Valley Technical College.
Noah Alford is originally from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he graduated
from Oshkosh West High School in 2020. In 2024, Noah graduated from the
University of Wisconsin —Oshkosh with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal
Justice. Noah Alford was previously employed as a landscaping laborer with
Grounds Guys Landscaping.
19
On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, during a Police and Fire Commission
meeting, the Oshkosh Police Department celebrated the hiring of Police
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Cadet Andrew McCoy to the position of Patrol Officer. Andrew joined the
Oshkosh Police Department as a Cadet on July 7, 2025. He completed his
'
Wisconsin Law Enforcement Certification on December 12, 2025, through
Fox Valley Technical College.
Andrew McCoy is originally from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he graduated
from Oshkosh West High School in 2021. Andrew is a 2025 graduate from
the University of Wisconsin —Oshkosh where he earned a Bachelor's degree in
Criminal Justice. Andrew McCoy was previously employed as a Claims intern with
Secura Insurance Company.
20
On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, during a Police and Fire Commission
meeting, the Oshkosh Police Department celebrated the hiring of Brenton
Eliason to the position of Patrol Officer. Brenton completed his
Ur - Wisconsin Law Enforcement Certification on December 12, 2025, through
Fox Valley Technical College.
Brenton Eliason is originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he
graduated from Bay Port High School in 2007. Brenton went on to earn an
Associate degree in Mechanical Design from Northeast Wisconsin Technical
College. Brenton Eliason was previously employed with The Home Depot.
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PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
DIVISION
Lieutenant Mike Hotter
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LAW ENFORCEMENT
ACCREDITATION
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Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation
On Saturday, November 15, 2025, Chief Dean Smith and Professional Standards Division
Lieutenant Mike Hotter attended a hearing with the Commission on Accreditation for Law
Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Commissioners for final review of our National
re -accreditation during a conference in Jacksonville, Florida, where the department was
granted re -accreditation. The Oshkosh Police Department earned its initial accreditation
status in November 1994. This is our tenth CALEA re -accreditation. Through this process, we
retain our Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation. This award demonstrates the
professionalism and high standards of excellence in which we serve the Oshkosh community.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT/
_ TRAINING
Sergeant Chris Romanowicz
The second half of 2025 was busy for the Professional Standards Division. We have been
planning and hosting trainings for our officers and others from around the state and the
country. We have hosted the following courses in the second half of 2025:
• September— Operation R.U.S.H and a K9 SWAT Course (SKIDDS)
• September—SKIDDS (SWAT and K9 Interacting During Deployment School
• October — Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)
• October— Taser Instructor training course
• November- Pepperball Instructor/Armorer
By hosting trainings, it helps stretch our training budget dollars further and provides high
quality training for our officers. The training has also brought in agencies from across the
state and country, which helps showcase the City of Oshkosh and makes a local economic
impact.
Our officers have attended various other trainings both locally and across the state. We have
also conducted a number of in-house training days with topics including: De -Escalation
training, SANE Exam training, ATV/UTV Enforcement training, Autism Response for Law
Enforcement, and Digital Evidence training, just to list a few.
We have many more trainings that we are scheduled to host in 2026, including several Crash
Reconstruction trainings through Northwestern University, hosted right here in Oshkosh!
23 - ..7Y1• T 27ii- - -
UW-Oshkosh Collaborates with OPD for Virtual Reality Training
Credit for photos and article content are given to Grace Lim of the UW Oshkosh Today
December 3, 2025, edition:
UW-Oshkosh Associate Professor D. Alper Camlibel began integrating use -of -force simulation
into his Criminal Justice Police Deviance course shortly after joining UWO in the fall of 2017.
Students learn about police ethics, use of force, and procedural justice in class but through
the use of simulations where they can experience how complex those decisions really are. He
stated one of the main goals of the course is to help students understand how officers make
decisions in high -stress situations, and why communication and de-escalation should always
come before the use of force. Students learn that their voice, their body language and their
ability to listen are often the most effective tools in resolving conflict.
In 2023, Professor Camlibel learned that the Oshkosh Police Department uses a more
advanced virtual -reality training system, so he reached out to the Professional Development
Training Sergeant, Christopher Romanowicz, to arrange access for his class. The OPD system
uses VR headsets, simulated duty gear and interactive environments that mirror real calls for
service. One student at a time is strapped into a backpack, VR goggles and microphone.
Another student is in the room acting as back-up. During the exercises, Officer Keith
Norkofski guides each scenario through a headset, voicing suspects and victims while his
digital avatar shifts from one scenario to the next. Officer Norkofski said he uses the same
simulator to train new probationary officers and hopes the experience helps students
understand the importance of communication in every situation.
Professor Camlibel records all the actions in the training room. Later, students will watch
these recordings, similar to how Police Officers review body camera footage, to prepare their
use of force report assignments. After each exercise, students receive immediate feedback
and debriefing with Camlibel and Lieutenant Matthew Ziegler, a department Scenario
Instructor, who reviews their decisions and discusses strategies for de-escalation and officer
safety. Thirteen UW-Oshkosh students attended the latest VR training, rotating through
realistic scenarios. The entire class will spend 3 hours in the VR training before the semester
ends.
For Professor Camlibel, the simulations are an extension of the classroom —a place where
lessons about ethics, accountability, communication, and split-second judgement comes to
life. The experience gives students a rare chance to learn directly from Oshkosh Police
Officers —using the same technology the department relies on to train its own recruits. For
the students, the lessons extend far beyond policing.
This partnership with OPD has also opened doors for recruitment and relationship -building
between students and law enforcement.
24 25
OPERATIONS BUREAU,/ : -'v
Captain Andrew Lecker
The Operations Bureau is comprised of the Criminal Investigations Division and the Patrol
Division. These men and women serve our community selflessly while promoting public
safety and enhancing the quality of life in our community through innovative policing and
community strategies.
As we approach the end of a busy year, we look forward to improvements in our staffing
through hiring and leadership development with the filling of several promotions. I want
to thank our officers, investigators, and supervisors for the exceptional job they have done
policing during these busy months.
With the new year comes new opportunities to advance our staffing, provide quality
training to our officers, and build strong partnerships with our community. We're excited to
see what 2026 brings!
6
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:1I i?'':
T
1st Shift
The second half of 2025 has been bustling for the first shift, filled with community
engagement and excellent opportunities to foster relationships with the citizens of
Oshkosh. Before we get to that, there have been some personnel changes on the shift
that I'd like to mention. We welcomed Officer Matt Pierce and Officer Ben Phillips in
September, both bringing a wealth of experience and energy to our shift. In November,
we celebrated the promotion of Officer Mentink to Detective, recognizing his
dedication and hard work. Good luck Tyler! In December, Sergeant Adam Haberland
transitioned to the Criminal Investigation Division in a new position. Good luck
Adam! Also in December, the shift welcomed newly promoted Sergeant Chee Yang
and Sergeant Aaron Achterberg who transferred from 3rd shift. We're looking forward
to great leadership from our new supervisory staff!
Our "Reading in the Park" initiative at South Park was a booming success. Hosted in
collaboration with the Kiwanis Club, this program aimed to promote literacy among
children. Officers engaged with young readers, sparking interest in books while
forming valuable community bonds. National Night Out was a highlight for
community interaction, fostering stronger relationships between law enforcement and
citizens. The event included open dialogues with residents, neighbors coming together
for block parties, and demonstrations of some police equipment. The "Touch a Truck"
event allowed residents, especially children, to explore police vehicles and equipment,
with officers explaining the use and importance of various tools we use in police work
for the community.
In October, we shared lunch with residents at Clarity Care and breakfast at the Carmel
Residence at Miravida Living. These gatherings provided an informal setting for
friendly conversation and opportunities to build even stronger support between the
department and community members. Our "Coffee with a Cop" session at Thunderbird
Bakery was successful in breaking down barriers, offering the public a chance to
address concerns and share feedback directly with our officers. These events
symbolize our ongoing commitment to community engagement and transparency. We
are proud of the bonds formed over the past months. As we look ahead, we aim to
continue building a strong, cohesive community where everyone feels safe and
supported.
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P T OL DIVIS
2nd Shift
As we look to close out 2025, we reflect on the relationships we have built within the
community, the development of our officers and supervisors, and achievements we
have made toward our department and city goals.
Officers have been out in the community making positive impacts with our youth,
businesses, neighborhood associations, and non-profit organizations. Relationship
building events include: Shop With A Cop, Coffee With A Cop, Bigs with Badges,
Kiwanis N' Cops N' Kids Program, CRASE training to businesses, different advisory
boards, National Night Out, and so much more.
We welcomed Officers Kyle Feucht and Mercedes Eichstedt to the shift. They
completed their Field Training and Evaluation Program and were assigned to the
1p-1 1p shift. Officers Keith Norkofski and Trey Johnson will be departing the shift, as
they are being reassigned to first shift. In December, Sergeant Kyle Roberts was
reassigned, heading upstairs to the Criminal Investigation Division. We thank them all
for the leadership and initiative to make our shift the best in the department! Also in
December, newly promoted Sergeant Cody Rukamp who came from 3rd shift and
Sergeant Sonny Gogo who transitioned from CID joined the shift. Welcome to our
new supervisors, and we look forward to welcoming new faces in 2026 to our officer
group.
Over the past 6 months, officers and supervisors have continued their growth and
development through internal and external training opportunities. From building
relationships at the Chamber of Oshkosh's, "Leadership Oshkosh" course, to the
following instructor courses: Taser 10; D.A.R.E.; LESB Instructor Development;
LESB Firearms Instructor have been completed. Individual training and certificates
includes: Wisconsin Public Employer Labor Relations Association; LIDAR; 40mm
less lethal; Crisis Intervention Training; Officer Involved Critical Incidents; Operation
RUSH; Human Trafficking Investigations; SWAT & K9 Interacting During
Deployment; and hundreds of hours of internal department training.
The shift added a third start time of 5 p.m. to the shift. The three start times during the
shift provide excellent overlapping coverage for the call for service demand. The early
afternoon hours continue to be our highest demand for citizen and officer initiated
calls for service. As a department, our most frequent call for service is a Traffic Stop.
Officers are frequently dedicating time to address citizen concerns regarding traffic
safety, as well as officer observations of unsafe driving behavior.
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P T1ZOL DIVISI
3rd Shift
Third shift has been very busy with responding to active incidents, addressing quality of
life concerns, working on traffic enforcement, and training. We added Officer Kelsey
Gill, Officer Gabriella Schmidt, and Officer Jacob Mocadlo to the shift after they
completed their Field Training, and they have been welcomed additions to the shift! In
December, third shift celebrated the promotion of Officer Cody Rukamp to Sergeant who
transitioned to 2nd shift Congratulations Cody! We welcomed newly promoted
Sergeant Jason Konitzer, and we're looking forward to Jason's leadership on the shift.
Officers have been diligent with continuing training to stay abreast of the best and most
current law enforcement techniques. Officer Cody Rukamp completed his Firearms
Instructor Certification, Officer Magedanz completed Emergency Vehicle Operations and
Contacts Instructor Certification. Officer Magedanz also completed Scenario Instructor
Certification. Officer Wunnicke completed Instructor Development Certification, with a
specific instructorship to be completed in the coming year. Having certified instructors
within the department, and especially on the shift, keeps officers trained on the most
current and effective techniques to be as safe as possible in everything that they do. Third
shift also had Officer Rukamp, Officer Schwartz, Officer Magedanz, and Officer
Wunnicke, as Field Training Officers that were active with instructing new hires. Officer
Krause has attended Negotiation Team Training to best prepare for attending to persons
experiencing personal crisis or active criminal incidents that may benefit from
negotiations to reach a peaceful resolution. Officer Magedanz, Officer Dahms, and
Officer Radde all attended Crisis Intervention Team Training to better respond to persons
experiencing personal crisis to be better equipped to reach peaceful resolutions to intense
situations.
Officers have stayed vigilant with their efforts in crime prevention by conducting
regular foot patrols of the City's parks, with a priority on the downtown area, and
conducting regular building security checks, especially at those sites actively under
construction. Officers have been very busy with responding to calls for service and
proactive patrols but have still made traffic enforcement a priority with over 1,000 traffic
stops since the last newsletter. These stops resulted in traffic citations, OWI arrests, illegal
narcotics seized, and numerous other arrests for illegal activities. Our K9 Handlers
Sergeant Fox (K9 Odin), Officer Rukamp (K9 Fritz), and Officer Schwartz (K9 Kyo)
were very active at detection of illegal narcotics and greatly assist the Officers with
locating this contraband on our streets. Officer Rukamp (K9 Fritz), and Officer Schwartz
(K9 Kyo) attended the WLECHA (Wisconsin Law Enforcement Canine Handler
Association) Conference where they were able to attend many valuable training sessions.
Many of the officers also have collateral duties or belong to special teams. Officer
Cody Rukamp and Officer Austin Wunnicke have instructed CHEERS bartender
training classes and worked on Alcohol Sales Enforcement details to make sure that our
community is responsibly serving its patrons. Officer Austin Wunnicke and
Officer Austin Magedanz have worked diligently on the recruitment program to help the
department locate the best candidates to become Patrol Officers for our community.
Officers conduct these duties in addition to their regular Patrol assignments. Third shift
also contributes officers to the SWAT Team, Bicycle Patrol Unit, Honor Guard Team,
and Mobil Field Force Team.
We look forward to continuing to provide the highest level of law enforcement
services that we can to the great City of Oshkosh. Rest easy, we'll keep the night watch
for you!
IAM
V. Mental Healt6&WeIIcessNews!
On Thursday, August 21, the Oshkosh Police Department held its 7th
Annual Mental Health and Wellness Family Picnic at Abe Rochlin Park.
There was plenty of fun, food, and friendship to make this year's event
another success! Yard games, a bounce house obstacle course, and
many door prizes were on hand for families to enjoy. A diverse menu
of food and giveaways was generously donated by several local
businesses. It was a great chance to kick back, relax, and enjoy a
fun -filled evening with family and friends.
The Mental Health Committee is dedicated to providing education and awareness to not
only the officers, but also to their family members, about officer mental wellness. In
addition to the Family Picnic, presentations and demonstrations focused on overall health
and wellbeing take place throughout the year for all employees of the Oshkosh Police
Department.
1cruitment am
The Oshkosh Police Department's Recruitment Team continues to find creative ways to
achieve its goal of attracting the brightest and best candidates for a successful career as an
Oshkosh Police Officer. Being competitive and staying ahead of the game led to the idea of
recruitment billboards along 141/I43 . The idea behind the billboards was to get our message
out, attract people thinking about a career in law enforcement and those who are already in
the field but looking for a better opportunity. The electronic billboards were located in 5
areas: Slinger, Sheboygan, Neenah, Kaukauna, and DePere. The recruitment campaign ran for
4 weeks, beginning on July 21.
In addition to the billboards, the Recruitment Team is staying active attending career fairs.
During the second half of the year, the team participated in the following events:
• University of Wisconsin —Oshkosh —Fall Internship & Career Fair
• Fox Valley Technical College—CSO Boot Camp
• University of Wisconsin —Madison —Fall Career Fair
• Minnesota State University —Mankato Fall Career and Internship Expo
• Northern Michigan University —Fall Semester Job Fair
• Law Enforcement Opportunities Career Fair —Brooklyn Park, MN
If you would like to know more about joining the Oshkosh Police Department Team, please
follow the link on our website: https://www.oshkoshpd.com/Employment/
30 31
ip
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION b.
The second part of 2025 has proven to be an active one for the Criminal Investigation Division.
CID falls under the responsibility of the Captain of Operations, Andy Lecker. Lieutenant Brett
Robertson currently supervises three Sergeants, six Detectives, three Vice and Narcotics
Investigators, six School Resource Officers, the Crime Prevention/Public Affairs Officer, and
the Crime Analyst. Our bureau has been kept very busy.
Many changes happened in CID in recent months. We said goodbye to Detective Paul Frey in
November when he retired and welcomed newly promoted Detective Tyler Mentink. In
December: Detective Chee Vang was promoted to Sergeant and transitioned to 1st shift Patrol,
we welcomed newly promoted Detective Zach Wilkens, welcomed Sergeant Kyle Roberts who
came from 2nd shift Patrol and is now assigned to the Vice and Narcotics Unit, Sergeant Sonny
Gogo transitioned to 2nd shift Patrol, and Sergeant Adam Haberland transferred from 1st shift
Patrol and is assigned to Special Operations/CID Sergeant supervising the School Resource
Officers. Good luck to everyone with their new assignments— we're excited to have you on the
CID Team!
CID members, along with the Vice and Narcotics Unit and Patrol, have conducted
investigations into human trafficking operations, shooting and weapons incidents, vehicle break
-ins, and significant drug investigations. As a result of these investigations, human trafficking
victims are receiving resources, a sex offender has been federally indicted for possession of
child pornography, suspects have been arrested in several of our shooting/weapons incidents,
and significant amounts of illegal drugs, guns, and cash have been seized and taken off our
streets. During the course of a VNU investigation, which led to several residential search
warrants, 1.57 pounds of methamphetamine were seized. Our bureau has worked with the U.S.
Marshals, locating and arresting wanted fugitives. We also assisted the Outagamie County
Sheriff's Department in the arrest of a bank robbery suspect. These are just some of the
examples of how our teams are working together to rid our city of illicit drugs and criminal
activities that negatively impact the quality of life for our citizens. We're working hard to make
Oshkosh a safe city to live, work, and play!
DARE Officers were busy attending events and partnering with local businesses to hold
fundraising events for the DARE program. Thank you to our partners for your positive support
of DARE!
The 4th Annual Youth Leadership Camp took place on July 7-11. Our School Resource
Officers said the camp was a huge success, with 25 kids participating. The camp has been a
great experience for youth ages 12-15. Participants learn life -enhancing skills through
fun -filled activities, team building events, community service, and personal development
Ltti�p �-oaaqtp
rSchool Resource Officers from the Oshkosh Police Department held their fourth Annual
Youth Leadership Camp from July 7-11, 2025. The Leadership Camp was offered to area
youth ages 12-15 years old. The purpose of this camp is to provide life enhancing skills
that have a strong emphasis on family and community. Twenty-five youth participated in
team building activities, physical challenges, community service, and listened to
inspirational guest speakers from within the Oshkosh community.
The first day of camp was hosted by Oshkosh Corporation where the students were given a
tour of the Oshkosh Defense plant, along with a truck demonstration. Throughout the
week, students could be seen volunteering at places such as the Oshkosh Library,
BEAMING, Inc., Oshkosh Area Community Pantry, and held a free car wash with donations
going to Damascus Road. Some of the activities that students engaged in were: a workout
competition, scavenger hunt, team challenge, and testing their skills at Urban Battlefield
Laser tag in DePere. Overall, it was a week filled with opportunities for our youth to
expand their knowledge, skills and sense of community.
We want to express our sincere appreciation to 4imprint who generously donated T-shirts
for the camp, as well as to all of our community partners who hosted and participated in
this year's Youth Leadership Camp. It is our hope that this program continues to grow and
enrich the lives of our youth who are the future of the Oshkosh community.
(pictured left to right) DARE Officers Andy Baltadano, Dellas Vandenberg and Tanner
Rasmussen worked the concession stand at the Wisconsin Herd Arena in November,
fundraising for the DARE program with a portion of the proceeds going directly to DARE.
KateIn October, Detective Chee of the and y Crime ndGirls f OshkoshOff
Mann hosted members the Boys and Club of
r
as part of their Workforce Series event. They learned about a
career in law enforcement and processed a mock crime scene
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS looking for clues.
OF AMERICA
34 35
C:�T1pIE PREVENTIeN/PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Officer Kate Mann
r IIXDD
ASSOCIATIONS
The Cnite Prevention/Public Affairs Officer Kate Mann is part of the Criminal Investigation Division. The
Crime Prevention Officer assists citizens by providing information about frauds, scams, traffic and senior
afety Officer Mann is also the Department's Public Affairs Officer and acts as a liaison between the
edi d the Oshkosh Police Department responsible for the timely and accurate dissemination of public
information to the community.
It was a busy second half of the year for Crime Prevention. Scams and Frauds are still occurring
nationwide and OPD strives to stay current on the crime trends and be proactive in educating citizens about
what to look for and how to avoid scams.
In August, Officer Mann partnered with Cherith Resources to help refugee families. They held a free
sidewalk event with clothing and other needs for families. In September, the Oshkosh Police Department
and Oshkosh Fire Department attended the Oshkosh Humane Society Fundraiser (Walk For The Animals).
It was a great event that raised a lot of money for the shelter. OPD attended the Winnebago Mental Health
Employee Safety Fair and the WRC Employee Fair and handed out Scams and Frauds information.
Officer Mann continued to meet with Banking Institutions to review False Alarm and Bank Robbery pro-
cedures.
Officer Mann attended the Future YOU Career Fair held at the Oshkosh Convention Center. Hundreds of
students attended the event and were able to try on a SWAT helmet, SWAT vest and talk about a
career in law enforcement. Thunderbird Bakery & Cafe hosted a Coffee With A Cop event which was well
attended!
The Holidays are in full swing. The Oshkosh Police Department attended the Coats For Kids ent, tl�
Police Lights of Christmas Hand Off event, Target's Heroes and Helpers shopping event and Walmart's
Shop With A Cop. OPD will also be providing gifts for the upcoming Toys for Tots event.
CITIZEN'S POLICE ACADEMY
Phursday, November 6, 2025, ten members of the community graduated
>m the 2025 Citizen's Police Academy. The official kickoff of the program
vas Thursday, September 18.
Participants learned about the policies, procedures and personnel of the
Oshkosh Police Department. They gained hands-on experience in topics
such as: K9 Unit, Investigations, Drug Information and Human Trafficking,
Drone, the Community Impact Team (Sergeant Brenden Bonnett with
Behavioral Health Officer Scott Sopata and K9 Gema), Project Lifesaver,
TWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics), DAAT (Defense And Arrest Tactics),
nd Crisis Negotiations. A highlight of the academy is the ride along with an
cer, which gives them an up close and personal look at the life of an officer
job.
The Citizen's Police Academy helps build a stronger relationship between the
Oshkosh Police Department and the citizens we serve!
38
OSHKOSH AUXILIARY POLICE
Chief Scott Footitj
As winter is now upon us, the Auxiliary Police slowly begins to wind down its 66th year of
service to the City of Oshkosh and its Police Department.
Auxiliary members were dedicated to work a number of details throughout the later part
of summer and into the fall/winter months. From EAA's AirVenture, to numerous 5K
runs, many Trick or Treat events, and numerous emergency call -in events, our members
volunteered their time to help all of these events run in a smooth and safe manner.
Our members take great pride in assisting with all of these events held here in Oshkosh. It
is really something to sit back and look at all of the activities that go on within our City.
The types of events that occur within our City are really special and we're very happy to
be one small piece of what makes them all successful!
In late fall, we pulled in our speed awareness trailers for the winter, thus wrapping up our
27th year of deployments. These speed trailers are used to spread awareness in our
school zones and other problem areas throughout the City. Thank you to the
members of our Speed Awareness Team for deploying these units from mid -March
through mid -November.
With all these special events and unit functions, it takes a large number of volunteers to be
able to staff the many special events held throughout the year, and we are always looking
for good community -minded people. If you think you might be interested in becoming a
member of our unit, please take a look at our website or Facebook page for more
information.
In closing, we want to wish everyone very safe and Happy Holidays. We are looking
forward to an amazing 2026 here in the City of Oshkosh.!
El
39
Officers enjoyed visiting with families and kids in
South Park on July 16. As part of the Kiwanis 'n Cops
`n Kids Reading program, Officers started to expand
their reach to the City parks during the summer
months. The department's motorcycle and
Community Command & Outreach Vehicle (CCOV)
were also on hand for demonstrations. Kids received
books and other fun goodies as they stopped by to
meet the Officers. It was a great day!
40 41
3�rffl,ersmark�ts
LJ
On Saturday, August 16, the Oshkosh Police Department joined with the
Oshkosh Fire Department to participate in the Saturday Farmer's Market
- Kid's Day! It was great fun and books and various other goodies were
handed out to kids who stopped by.
Neighborhood Association Meeting
On Thursday, August 21, Officer Keith Norkofski and probationary Officer Mercedes
Eichstedt attended a Sawyer Creek Neighborhood Association meeting. The meeting was
held at the Carmel Residence. The officers spoke about the Field Training process and
Officer Norkofski provided a demonstration on how the department uses its drones.
Participants were able to see a drone in action and were also given the opportunity to
talk about neighborhood issues with the officers.
MIRAVIDA
LIVING
rAw
On Thursday, September 25, the Oshkosh Police
Department was invited to participate in a breakfast
hosted by Miravida Living. Several Officers attended the
event and enjoyed starting their day with a wonderful
breakfast and great company with all the residents who
attended. Thank you to Miravida Living for the gracious
offer and the opportunity to connect with our senior
community members!
- v'l.. .- I
44 45
W74b'
On Tuesday, September 30, the Oshkosh Police
Department held a Lemonade With The Law event
at South Park Middle School. Several officers, along
with K9 Gema, enjoyed meeting all the students
who stopped by to talk with the officers and have
lemonade before staring their day. This event was
well attended and accomplished the officers' goal
of connecting and building positive relationships
with our youth, "One Cup At A Time!"
46 47
50
ri
On Tuesday, November 19, 2025, the Oshkosh Police Department ______ Phhh11' held its Coffee With A Cop event hosted by the Thunderbird
/ �� Bakery and Cafe from 10:OOA - 12:OOP. Warm drinks,
cookies and conversation was a great way to start the day.
COVJ l�l/ Participating in the event were members of the
Command Staff, Patrol Division, Criminal
Investigation Division, and Behavioral Health Officer
Scott Sopata and K9 Gema. Officers enjoyed meeting
•�� the citizens who stopped by to have coffee and chat.
•
The Oshkosh Police Department extends its sincere appreciation to the Thunderbird
Bakery and Cafe for hosting our event. Coffee With A Cop gives us a chance to build
w "J better relationships with our community "One CUD At A Time!"
E
I ' - R '
ill
y�� o
LP
FRY ANo
Officers Kate Mann and Mercedes
Eichstedt joined Menominee
Elementary for its Halloween "Boo
Bash" festivities (Above)
School Resource Officers Deana
Brandl, Dellas Vandenberg and
Tanner Rasmussen were heading
out dressed in their Halloween best
to have some "Spooktacular" fun in
the middle schools (left)
51
1
Out & About
The Oshkosh Police Department is once again participating in the 101 Annual Police Lights of
Christmas 2025 campaign. Assistant Chief Brian Schuldes and Crime Prevention Officer Kate
Mann attended this year's Hand Off Event on December 2. The event was hosted by The Barn in .f
the Village of Pulaski and included officers from over 100 departments A. received
approximately $300,000 in gift cards! The Oshkosh Police Department received $4,750 in gift
cards that will be given out throughout the holiday season to those in need in our community.
Thank you to Q90 FM Radio, Police Lights of Christmas, and all of the sponsors that make this
outreach possible. We are honored to be a part of this amazing program and to be able to bring
some extra holiday cheer to those who are less fortunate in our community!
i
- jai.
Out & About
ci#i
;q ¶ ii __ A
\\,/ J �r1
D Her Oshkosh Police rDepartment on participated in this , year's
Heroes & Helpers event on Monday, December 8, 2025,
sponsored by Target. Target seeks to build connections and
pjJbring the joy of the season to under-resourced children
v through partnerships with charity organizations and local
O first responders. More than 450 Heroes & Helpers grants
were awarded nationwide in 2025.
Lieutenant Matt Ziegler, Detective Chee Vang, Crime
heroes & helpers Prevention Officer Kate Mann, Officer Garrett Dahms, and
Oshkosh Auxiliary Police members Ron O'Bright, and Gerald
Kargus shopped with children who bought gifts for their family members and themselves.
Five children were chosen to receive $200 in gifts per family! Target staff assisted officers
in making this event extra special for the children.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to Target and staff for providing an opportunity for
officers to build positive connections with the community and to help make Christmas a
whole lot merrier for families in need during the holiday season. Heroes & Helpers warms
the hearts of the officers and lights the faces of the children!
£t' HOPl�P
A
The Oshkosh Police Department participated in this year's Shop With A Cop event at
Walmart on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Generous donations from local
organizations such as Oshkosh Walmart, TelecomPioneers Wisconsin Chapter #4, South
Side Ice Yacht Club, Pepsi Beverages, and individual citizens made this year's Shop With
A Cop possible!
Several members of the department shopped with children who bought gifts for their
family members and themselves. This year, 24 children, ranging from elementary to
high school, were all referrals who received $200 in gifts per family!
We want to sincerely thank the generosity of the donors and volunteers who not only
make this program such a success, but also provide an opportunity for the police
department and the community to come together to provide a heartwarming holiday
season for Oshkosh families.
54 / _ 55
a
e.
OPD .Anniversaries
`-
JULY
np
AUGUST
1% +I� �eana Krueger
24 Years
Kris Jahns
32 Years
Craig Johannes
20 Years
Brett Robertson
23 Years
Chris Gorte
20 Years
Nick Kawleski
23 Years
Austin Ewing
1 Year
Tony Flaig
14 Years
Brad Fox
12 Years
JitEngeli
7 Years
Kaylee Raabe
1 Year
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
Ben Phillips
9 Years
Ben Fenhouse
17 Years
Cody Rukamp
9 Years
Heather Brickham
10 Years
Trey Jcihnson
9 Years
Roberto Martinez
10 Years
Jacob Schwartz
6 Years
Tanner Rasmussen
8 Years
Cecelia Krause
5 Years
Penny Knoll
5 Years
Brayden Ewing
4 Years
Justin Mitchell
2 Years
Courtney Scoles
4'Years
Betsy Fontaine
2 Years
Jonathan Graminske
3 Years
'melody Bragdon
2 Years
Jackie Souza
2 Years
Sierra Dettman
2 Years
Daniel Rucinski
2 Years
Aaron Petkovsek
1 Year
Alexys Schneider
1 Year
b
SEPTEMBER
Brian Schuldes
30 Years
Kate Mann ,
19 Years
Joey Rebedew
6 Years
Brad Willis
. 3 Years
DECEMBER
Bonnie Sagmeister
25 Years
Tyler Mentink
15 Years
Michael McKeown
6 Years
Matthew Steinert
6 Years
Owen Braatz
2Years ..
to
CSO Abby Traxinger & CSO Mitchell
Gonnering:
Chief Smith received a letter of thanks from an
; appreciative citizen/vendor regarding the actions
of Community Service Officers Traxinger and
Gonnering:
"I am writing to extend my sincere thanks and'.
appreciation to two of your officers who provided
invaluable assistance during the conclusion of the
; Paine Art and Craft Fair on Saturday, July 13,
2025.
1 witnessed the two officers —clearly still early in'.
their careers —faced with the challenge of:
managing a crowd of vendors all wishing to leave
at the same time. What stood out was their
composure and professionalism. Rather than;
reacting with force or frustration, they employed
what I can only describe as a "velvet glove"
approach: calm, confident, and effective. Through
their teamwork, training, and natural leadership,
they took charge and ensured an orderly exit
;without ever appearing heavy-handed or;
' authoritarian.
In an era when law enforcement often finds itself
unfairly scrutinized, it is heartening to encounter
officers who embody the spirit of service with
; grace and dedication. These two young
professionals are a credit to your department and ;
a testament to the positive values it upholds.
Thank you again for your department's continued'.
commitment to your community and please let
; the young officers know their efforts did not go
unnoticed.
Sincerely,"
—Kenneth Linde, CEO
Waldwick Partners
57
CSO Charles Kolbeck:
A citizen emailed Chief Smith commending the ;
actions of Community Service Officer Kolbeck:
"Dear Chief Smith,
I just want to comment about an amazing;
experience my wife and I had with a patrol person'
; tonight. His name is Charles.
Someone had noticed a mother duck lost her
ducklings down a sewer drain. They called the
police station, and Officer Charles came out. He;
contacted Public Works to come and take off the'
sewer drain top. Officer Charles then proceeded
to extract the ducklings out using a net he had. My
wife helped put the ducklings in a bucket, and
after a short trip taking the ducklings (with the
mother close behind) to the river, mom and ;
ducklings paddled off in safety.
It was great to see the compassion and
helpfulness of one of your officers. If there is some
award or recognition that I can nominate Officer
Charles for, I would be happy to do so. He really;
did represent the Oshkosh Police Department;
remarkably."
; The Oshkosh Police Department:
; Chief Smith received an email of thanks from a very
appreciative citizen:
"Hi Chief Dean:
; Last year, the Oshkosh Police Department really
changed my life for the better. My partner and I
were going through a particularly rough patch back
then, with my partner's job loss, we were really;
struggling to make ends meet. Because of your;
team's words of encouragement, and the gift cards'.
; for gas and food, we're doing so much better. My
;partner got a job at one of the interviews, got;
promoted a few months later, and is still thriving
there! We also got engaged in March and are now;
finishing the paperwork to purchase our first ever
home.
I cannot thank you guys enough for the generosity
you gave us. I'm almost certain that alone saved us;
that day, so here is my way of saying thank you.
We got a fresh start. Thank you so very much.
' Best wishes to you and the entire PD!"
' Officer Brian Denor:
A grateful citizen spoke with a shift supervisor to
express his thanks for how Officer Denor handled
his call for service:
"I wanted to tell you how appreciative I was:
during a contact a few days ago with Officer Denor
who dealt with my 911 call for suicidal
ideations. Officer Denor was professional and.
spoke to me "on my level" and went above and;
beyond to work through a resolution to hopefully;
not have this type of incident happen again."
The Oshkosh Police Department:
Chief Smith received a letter of appreciation from
'the Outagamie County Sheriffs Office:
"Chief Smith:
On behalf of the Outagamie County Sheriffs Office, I
'wish to extend our sincere appreciation for the!
'. exceptional collaboration and support from your
agency on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The ;
professionalism and responsiveness displayed by
your staff greatly contributed to the successful:
arrest of our bank robbery suspect. The prompt
;coordination, resource sharing, on -site presence!
' and tactical support were instrumental with this
operation.
The Oshkosh Police Department's commitment to'
public safety exemplifies the highest standards of
law enforcement. This collaboration reinforces the
'vital importance of partnerships between public
'safety agencies and organizations like ours.
Please accept this letter as a token of our gratitude. '
; We look forward to continuing our relationship in
future endeavors to protect and serve our!
' community together. Thank you again for your
exemplary service and partnership.
With sincere appreciation,"
58
-'Sheriff Clint Kriewaldt
The Oshkosh Police Department:
' Chief Smith received a card of thanks from the:
Administration team at Lourdes Academy:
"Chief Smith and the Oshkosh Police Department:
Thank you for your extra efforts on September;
' 4th to keep our students and staff safe during our:
walk to the Sacred Heart worship site, mass, and'
our procession back to Lourde's Academy. Our'
Administration team surely felt your presence in
the vicinity that morning.
We really appreciate all the work that goes into:
extra duties for events such as this and even more:
so after the incident at Annunciation Parish in'
Minneapolis, MN, a week prior to our opening!
mass.
' We truly are blessed to have an outstanding;
police department. Thank you for all you do to:
keep our community safe!"
Officer Ben Phillips:
An appreciative citizen left a positive comment;
regarding the actions of Officer Phillips on the'
Department's Contact Feedback Form:
"Officer Phillips:
I wanted to personally thank you for your;
outstanding work in identifying and apprehending
the individuals responsible for the hit-and-run
involving my car. Your dedication and persistence;
made a difficult situation much easier to handle,
and I'm truly grateful for the time and effort you
put into resolving the case. It brings peace of mind ;
' knowing that officers like you are protecting our
community.
Thank you again for your professionalism and
commitment to justice."
59
Officer Roberto Martinez:
An appreciative citizen left a positive comment
regarding the actions of Officer Martinez on the;
Department's Contact Feedback Form:
"To the Officers of the Oshkosh Police Department'
and in particular, Officer Martinez:
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the
professionalism, compassion, and care you showed
my family during a very difficult situation. Your
calm presence and genuine kindness made a'
challenging moment easier to navigate, and that is
something we will never forget. It's clear that your
commitment to serving and protecting goes far!
'. beyond duty —it reflects a deep respect for the
people and community you serve. Please know that
your efforts made a meaningful difference to me:
and my family, and we are truly grateful.
' With sincere appreciation."
Officer Brayden Ewing:
; A supervisor received an email of thanks from an:
appreciative Emergency Room RN:
"I just wanted to take a moment to let you know
that the officer with the 11 yr. old Chapter 51 at
Mercy on Sunday afternoon did a fantastic job with:
;him.
I believe it was Officer Ewing that let the child read
to him while he awaited medical clearance. It
seemed like they both wanted to know what
happened next in the book and I think that was a:
great way to keep the child calm. As usual, I was
really impressed at the patience, kindness, and care'
that OPD officers give to others."
�
' r w
The mission of the Oshkosh Police Department is to promote
public safety and to enhance the quality of life in our community
through innovative policing and community partnerships.
(o
Our vision is to work as a team to accomplish excellence in our
service to the community, to achieve employee fulfillment, and
to set an example for others to follow.
Professionalism —Integrity -Teamwork -Pride