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2006 Inductees |
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"Heroes are the people who do what has to be done, when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences."
"I was just doing my job"
The above words in blue describe heroes around the world. However, for those that have chosen to serve their communities as law enforcement officers and firefighters, the words you'll hear most often are the ones in italics. You won't find someone that has saved a life or changed a community through their efforts brag about it, or even talk about it in everyday conversation. They may quietly tell close family or friends what happened, but most often the stories become public knowledge from their co-workers, community, family and friends.
On these pages, you can read a bit more about the inductees of the State of Wisconsin Fire and Police Hall of Fame. These stories were not related by the person or persons themselves, but by those that live and serve with them. As you read through their stories, please remember the countless heroes that have not yet been recognized and may never be recognized publicly. For those that believe ALL of them should be recognized, remember that they need to be nominated by those that know the story, as they'd never nominate themselves. Again, the reason why is found in those six words.
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Read their Stories
1998-1999 Inductees 2000-2001 Inductees 2002-2004 Inductees
2006 - 2008 Inductees (There was no induction banquet held in 2005)
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Leslie Boldt Wisconsin State Patrol
On July 19, 2004 Trooper Leslie Boldt was on patrol in Brown
County, WI in the area of Green Bay. Trooper Boldt heard Brown County dispatch
looking for a vehicle that a suicidal woman was driving on
Wisconsin Highway 29. The vehicle was traveling around 90 MPH and was being
followed by the woman’s husband who had called 911. Trooper Boldt located the
woman’s vehicle traveling south on Interstate 43,
going at a high rate of speed, changing lanes and passing other vehicles.
Trooper Boldt was able to catch up to the vehicle and pursued it with his lights
and sirens activated on his squad to speeds of over 100 MPH.
The woman continued driving until she got to the midway point of
the Leo Frigo Memorial Bridge in Green Bay where she pulled over to the side of
the bridge. The woman quickly exited her vehicle and walked
around the front of it and over to the guardrail of the bridge. Trooper Boldt
exited his squad and ran after the female fearing she may jump off of the
bridge. Trooper Boldt yelled out “Ma’am” as the female jumped over the wall of
the bridge towards the Fox River some 200 feet below.
Trooper Boldt moved forward and was able to grab the woman’s arm as
she jumped and he held on tightly as she went over the wall. With her momentum
pulling towards the water below Trooper Boldt temporarily lost his footing and
was pulled partially over the wall by the woman, almost pulling both he and the
woman to their deaths. Fortunately, the woman’s downward momentum was slowed by
a steel bridge support just below the bridge wall. Trooper Boldt was able
to forcibly pull the woman back against the bridge wall as she struggled to
break free of his grasp.
Within about 16 seconds Sergeant Bill Morgan and Deputy Kevin
Kinnard of the Brown County Sheriff’s Department arrived and were able to assist
Trooper Boldt in hauling the woman back across the bridge wall onto the roadway
and away from certain death. The 36-year-old woman was transported to a local
hospital for treatment. Trooper Boldt sustained some minor injuries but was
back at work the next day.
Trooper Boldt, despite his statement that his actions were “just
part of the job,” demonstrated great courage and determination as he placed his
own life in jeopardy to safe the life of this distraught woman. Trooper Boldt
was also quick to acknowledge the efforts of his fellow law enforcement officers
stating that he “wouldn’t have been able to pull the woman back on the bridge
without the help of Sergeant Morgan and Deputy Kinnard.”
David Gee
Chippewa County Sheriff's Dept.
On June 29, 1979, two boys, 12 and 14 years old, were out for an afternoon swim
at Duncan Creek below the Glen Lock Dam in Chippewa Falls. Duncan Creek was
rising more than six inches each hour because of the movement of floodwaters,
which hit Bloomer earlier that morning. The 12-year-old boy had walked along the
ledge of the dam by the rocks on the Irving Park side of the creek and then swam
about 10 feet to the second ledge of the dam, which was covered by a rock
overhang. Once out on the ledge the boy was afraid to swim back to where he
started because of the churning water caused by the increasing volume of
floodwater. The 14-year-old swam out to his friend’s location to assist him, but
once out there, neither boy was able to swim back to a safe location.
Rescue personnel were summoned by bystanders to rescue the boys. At
about 2:00 p.m. that day several rescue attempts to reach the boys were tried
but failed. Reserve Sheriff’s Deputy David Gee and a Chippewa County Deputy
cautiously made their way along the ledge of the dam and proceeded to swim to
the second ledge. Reserve Deputy Gee, wearing just a life vest and with a simple
manila rope tied around his waist, was able to get a hold of the 12-year-old
around his waist. The two then ended up in the turbulent water and were pulled
under by the undertow that had been created by the rushing flood-waters. Finally
though, other rescue personnel were able to pull them back downstream and to
shore using the rope.
Attempt after attempt was made to rescue the 14-year-old. During
one of these rescue attempts the youth plunged into the water. Initially, rescue
workers feared the youth was lost. However, the current carried the youth back
to the rocks and he was able to grab onto the ledge of the dam. Reserve Deputy
Gee again with a rope tied around him made his way along the dam’s ledge into
the cold water. The 14-year-old boy was
able to grab onto the rope and Reserve Deputy Gee was able to grab the youth.
The other rescue workers again pulled both to safety.
Reports indicate that the water was already up to the youth’s neck, and within another hour the boys most likely would have drowned. Reserve Deputy Gee, for his efforts, was left for several weeks with burn marks around his waist where the rope that had been tied to him had burned into his skin. The effort of the entire group of ambulance personnel and other emergency service workers was instrumental in saving these two youths from certain drowning. However, Reserve Deputy David Gee displayed exemplary actions of bravery that afternoon that led to the successful rescue of these two boys.
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Jon Taylor,
Jason Thom & Joe
Przybylski
Chippewa Falls Fire & Emergency Services
At 3:04 am on Sunday, December 4, 2005, Chippewa Falls 911 received a call
reporting a structure fire at 220 Badger Street. The caller, Matt Berg, 23 years
old, said he was trapped in his second story bedroom and was unable to escape
the house due to heavy fire outside his door.
Chippewa Falls Fire and Emergency Services immediately responded to
the scene. While they were on their way the 911 dispatcher stayed with Berg on
the phone trying to get him to break a window to get
some fresh air and also telling him that firefighters were on their way. Berg
repeatedly stated that he was trapped and unable to break any windows. Becoming
more frantic he also said that his bedroom was
filling up with smoke and the fire was growing. About the time that fire and
police units arrived Matt fell unconscious to the floor. Firefighters arrived
and found heavy smoke pouring out of the two-story Badger street home. Four
people had been sleeping in the home, three had made it safely outside while
their son Matt was still trapped in his room.
Firefighter/EMT's Jason Thom and Joe Przybylski climbed a ladder and broke their way in through a small 20” by 36” window. Firefighter Thom found Berg on the floor of the dark and smoke filled bedroom. The temperature in the room was rising as the growing fire was now beginning to burn in the bedroom itself.
While this was going on Battalion Chief Jon Taylor climbed the same ladder to
assist the two firefighters inside. Firefighters Thom and Przybylski
struggled to lift the unconscious, 200+ pound Berg off the floor and move him
through the crowded bedroom to the window for rescue. Reaching the window they
needed to lift Berg up and over a counter to the awaiting Battalion Chief
Taylor. As the two firefighters struggled with Berg, Taylor leaned into the
window and grabbed Berg by the shoulder. As Berg’s head and shoulders reached
the open window a blast of freezing, fresh air hit him and he became somewhat
conscious. At this point Berg was not able to comprehend what was
happening and he became very combative and fought off the rescue attempt. From
his precarious position at the top of the ladder
Battalion Chief Taylor wrestled with Berg in an attempt to get him
out through the window. Eventually Battalion Chief Taylor overcame Berg’s
resistance and pulled him through the window. Berg once again went unconscious.
At this time the low air alarms on Thom and Przybylski’s SCBA’s were going off
signaling that they only had a few short minutes of air left. The bedroom was
now extremely hot and dangerously close to flash-over. Knowing that his
firefighters had to evacuate the building immediately Battalion Chief Taylor was
forced to quickly carry Berg down the ladder, while holding him upside-down.
Once on the ground EMT’s were waiting to transport Berg to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he was treated for smoke inhalation. Firefighters Przybylski and Thom, with conditions in the room deteriorating quickly, were finally able to climb down the ladder themselves. As Thom was making his way down the ladder the room did flash-over.
The rescue of Matt Berg is credited to the heroic actions of Firefighters Jason Thom, Joe Przybylski and Battalion Chief Jon Taylor who found themselves in a very difficult and dangerous position but by using the teamwork that firefighters are taught to trust in they were able to overcome all of the obstacles that they were faced with on this cold December night.
Photos at left are, Taylor top, Thom center, and Przybylski bottom.
Bruce Williams & Chadwick Holdorf
Green Lake County Sheriff Department
October 19, 2003, a
husband and wife were arguing when the husband struck his wife. He then told her
to leave their apartment and to take their children with. Statements the man
made indicated that he was afraid of going to jail and that he was not going to
let police officers take him there. It was also known that the man had weapons
and would likely use these them to keep himself from being taken into custody.
Several law enforcement officers had answered the call and were
setting up a perimeter to provide an area of protection for themselves and to
keep any civilians out of harms way. Green Lake County Sheriffs’ deputies, Bruce
Williams and Chad Holdorf, were helping set up this perimeter by blocking
streets with their patrol cars. Deputy Williams, however, was not able to do
this and keep himself in a safe area as there was a direct line of sight between
the gunman’s apartment and himself. Although he was in a dangerous position he
felt that this was the place where he could most effectively guard the area that
he was tasked with protecting.
Suddenly, gunfire came from the second story balcony of the
gunman’s apartment. Many of the residents of the 12-unit apartment fled the
building themselves when they heard the gunfire. The remaining residents were
called and told to evacuate. SWAT team members were tasked with escorting them
out of the building. The wife of the gunman was able to leave and was putting
their children into their car to go to a safer place, when a bullet from the
enraged man’s SAR-1 assault rifle struck Deputy Williams. With the sound of
gunfire and a report that Deputy Williams, his friend and co-worker had been
shot, Deputy Holdorf took his rifle and strategically moved on foot to a ditch
near Deputy Williams’ patrol car.
He found Deputy Williams
lying on his back near the trunk of his car with a very severe gunshot wound.
Deputy Holdorf ordered citizens to take cover and then advanced to Deputy
Williams’ side to start CPR. While he was administering rescue breathing, the
suspect began to fire at Deputy Holdorf. Deputy Holdorf returned fire and got
inside Deputy Williams’ patrol car. While under fire from the gunman Deputy
Holdorf used his tactical sling to hold on to Deputy Williams as he moved the
car, with a flat tire, to a location where with the help of other officers, was
able to get Deputy Williams completely into the car. He then drove the squad a
couple of miles away to a place where he could meet the ambulance and his friend
Bruce could receive the medical attention that he desperately needed. Although
Deputy Holdorf put forth a heroic effort to protect his colleague, Deputy Bruce
Williams died of his wounds. The ensuing standoff lasted about 12 hours. Ending
only after officers from several area departments made an entry into the
apartment only to find that the gunman had taken his own life.
Deputy Bruce Williams was known as an officer who could be counted
on in any situation. On the day that Deputy Williams was killed he was in the
process of protecting many families as well as the wife and daughter of the
gunman and also the lives of his fellow officers. Deputy Williams was married
and had three daughters, ages 2, 5 and 7.
It has been written about Deputy Chadwick Holdorf that: “There are
certain individuals whose work raises the standard for professionalism and whose
character is truly inspirational. Officer Holdorf is one of these individuals.”
And this was clearly evident in the actions he took on this tragic Sunday
afternoon in an attempt to save the life of Deputy Williams.
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Robert Burtard Manitowoc Fire Department
On May 6, 1979, shortly before midnight, a call from a passer-by started the
Manitowoc Fire Department out to a fire on Chicago Street. Lieutenant Robert
Burtard was the officer in charge of Engine 1. Engine 1 was located less than a
mile from the scene of the fire.
Arriving on the scene Lt. Burtard found a two-story apartment house
with fire burning in the rear. The enclosed stairway was impassable and the fire
was quickly moving toward the front of the apartment. In
the front, 69-year-old Mayme Rodney, was screaming for help while struggling to
keep her head out of the window while heavy black smoke was pouring out around
her. The fire had already entered her room and
the temperature was rising quickly bringing with it a real possibility of
flash-over. Ms. Rodney’s life was in peril and quick action was needed in order
to try and save her. The crew of Engine 1 raised a ladder to Ms. Rodney’s window
and Lt. Burtard decided that time for her was so critical that he could not
afford to get his SCBA from the engine. Lt. Burtard climbed the ladder and as he
tried to get a hold of her she dropped to the floor. Now, Lt. Burtard, without
his mask, was forced to lean deep into the black, acrid smoke that
was pouring out of the window and try to get a hold of her. Finally, Lt. Burtard
was able to grasp the woman and pull her up and onto the ladder. And now, with
the help of Firefighter Gerald Keehan, brought Ms. Rodney down the ladder to the
ground below, where they all collapsed.
Ms. Rodney was brought by ambulance to Holy Family Memorial Medical
Center where she was treated for smoke inhalation and 2nd degree burns which
covered 15% of her body. Ms. Rodney survived her
injuries. Lt. Burtard also suffered from smoke inhalation and was taken to the
hospital. Lt. Burtard did recover and continued to work until his retirement in
1994 after an exemplary 32-year career.
Lt. Burtard knew that he could suffer serious injury and long-term
damage to his health. It was a case where a firefighter put his life on the line
to save a civilian. According to Charles Herzog, who was working at this fire
for a private ambulance service, and who was later to work for the Manitowoc
Fire Department, eventually becoming fire chief: “It took great courage,
outstanding physical ability, and utter determination to save this lady.” And in
the vernacular of the fire service he says, “I have never seen a gutsier move.”
Gregory Renz City of Milwaukee Fire Department
On December 6, 2004 at nearly 1:30 in the morning, Engine Co. 24 was dispatched
as part of a full assignment for a basement fire with children trapped at 4128
N. 67th St. As Engine 24 pulled up they
found heavy smoke coming from the house. A woman was in front of the house when
they arrived and was desperately pleading for the firefighters to rescue her two
nephews who were trapped inside. With the heavy smoke that was coming from the
home, Captain Renz knew that if the boys were to have any chance of being
rescued that he had to get to them quickly. A hoseline was being stretched but
was not ready. Yet Captain Renz, without regard for his own safety, descended
the basement stairs and began to search for the boys.
Captain Renz was counting on his fellow firefighters to bring the hoseline into
the basement soon after him.
Working below ground level is a very dangerous place for firefighters any time,
and when Captain Renz descended the stairs into the basement he did not have the
protection of a hoseline or the security of other firefighters by his side. It
was up to him alone to find the trapped boys who were somewhere in the basement.
The visibility in the basement was zero, but fortunately, next to a bed, Captain
Renz found a child, he was lying on the floor. Scooping up the unconscious boy,
Captain Renz quickly brought him upstairs and handed him off to other
firefighters. With one child still missing Captain Renz once again went back
down into the smoke and fire filled basement where, between the bed and a wall,
he found the other missing child. Captain Renz quickly brought the unconscious
boy upstairs and outside into the fresh air.
Both of the children had been put in the hands of Milwaukee Fire
Department paramedics. These paramedics revived the boys, who were 3 and 8 at
the time of the fire. They were transported to the hospital
where they did recover from their ordeal in the basement of the family home.
According to then Acting Deputy Chief Ziegler: “These rescues were
completed within 2 minutes of Engine 24’s arrival. These children are alive
today because of the quick actions of Captain Renz. I would be remiss if I did
not mention that Captain Renz was able to perform heroically because he had
confidence and trust in the other members of Engine Co. 24 and Ladder Co. 13 to
support his actions."
Blane
Neher LaCross Fire
Department
At 12:50 a.m., September 15, 2005, the La Crosse Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire with a report of trapped occupants in a home on Mississippi St. Firefighter Blane Neher was assigned to the Heavy Rescue. While going to his truck Firefighter Neher grabbed the department’s thermal imaging camera. Firefighter Neher and the other three members of his crew jumped into the Heavy Rescue and headed to the fire.
When the Rescue arrived at the house they found fire and black smoke coming from the house. Firefighter Neher and his officer went to the front door while the other two members of the Rescue set up for RIC (Rapid Intervention crew). La Crosse police officers met Neher and his officer at the front door and told them that they had already assisted some people out of the house, but there was still someone inside. The police officers had tried to get inside to rescue the last person from the burning home but worsening conditions inside the house stopped them. The officers also reported that flames were now coming out of another part of the house. Neher’s officer went to check that part of the house to see how the fire condition had changed.
Now Firefighter Neher was alone at the front door when he heard someone screaming for help from within the burning home. Fully understanding the situation, being alone, without a hose-line, but also hearing a desperate cry for help, Firefighter Neher donned his mask, the thermal imaging camera, and grabbed his Halligan bar, and went into the black, smoke filled home to search for the person who had been calling out for help.
As he entered the home, Firefighter Neher could feel tremendous heat and noticed the kitchen to his right was fully involved. He continued down the hallway and yelled to the victim, hoping to hear some response. The victim was able to yell back, urging him to hurry. Using the thermal imaging camera to see through the putrid smoke he was able to find the victim. She was lying in a hospital bed in the family’s living room. She informed Firefighter Neher that she was unable to walk and that he would have to carry her out. He reassured her and then got her out of her bed and began to drag her to safety. However, the door he had used for entry was now closed and the visibility was decreasing even more. Firefighter Neher kept a level head and was able locate a doorway that brought them outside the burning home and out to the other firefighters who then took over her care.
Although there were many firefighters working at this fire, Firefighter Neher was faced with a difficult decision: to enter a burning home alone, without a hoseline, and then have the strength and levelheaded reaction to save a woman who was unable to help herself.
Tim
McCaughy Eau
Claire Fire Department
On July 28, 1996 just before 6:00 in the evening, a structure fire was reported on Crestwood Road in Eau Claire. A husband and wife, both in their mid sixties, had been canning peaches in the kitchen when a fire started.
Engine Nine was the first company on scene and Acting Lieutenant Tim McCaughey was leading them. They found a single story house with flames and smoke pouring from the front side. A neighbor informed them that the couple was still inside and that another neighbor was in the back of the house using a garden hose to try and quell the flames.
Acting Lt. McCaughey had everyone get away from the building and to a safe place. Now they tried to make their way into the home through the front door but found the door was being held shut with great resistance. Using more force Acting Lt. McCaughey was able to batter the front door in. The resistance was the husband, who had been lying unconscious against the door, mere inches away from the safety of being outside. Tim and his partner were able to get the man outside where his care was put in the hands of Engine 2.
The conditions in the home were deteriorating rapidly and the living room was only seconds away from flash-over. Acting Lt. McCaughey radioed that a victim had been removed from the house and ordered a second alarm to bring more help. There was still one woman in the house and time was running short. McCaughey and his crew now re-entered the home to find her but had to stop searching in order to extinguish the flames that were rolling out of the living room. The fire had also spread to other rooms and the likelihood of finding her was dwindling fast.
With the flames knocked down temporarily the crew headed down the hallway, when a faint moan was heard from the semi-conscious woman, they found her lying on a bathroom floor. The crew of Engine 9 was able to drag and carry the woman back down the hallway, through the living room and out to the front porch to another crew waiting outside.
With the woman now rescued and in the hands of others, McCaughey and his crew again went back into the burning home to finish searching in case there were others that had not been accounted for. There was no one else in the home and the crew went outside for a much needed break.
As the Eau Claire Fire Dept. wrote: “Acting Lt. McCaughey displayed exemplary acts of bravery, cool thinking, courage and utter determination that day and refused to let a raging fire take the lives of two people.”
Although both of the people suffered serious injuries from the smoke and flames, both went on to recover, due largely to the heroic efforts of Acting Lt. McCaughey and other members present from Eau Claire Fire & Rescue.
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All of these people were nominated by their peers, family, or other citizens for
extraordinary acts of bravery, lifetime achievements in their field, or
exceptional service to their community.
We know there are others deserving of this honor.
David Johnson
c/o Superior Fire Department
3326 Tower Avenue
Superior, WI 54880
715-394-0227
