Wisconsin News
76 awards presented at the 2023 Wisconsin State Patrol Awards Ceremony
The annual Wisconsin State Patrol awards ceremony was held Friday, May 3, to recognize the outstanding public service of employees who exceed the expectations of their daily duties. This year, 76 awards were presented at the event in Wisconsin Dells highlighting lifesaving efforts and innovations that improve state patrol operations.
Governor Tony Evers joined Wisconsin Department of Transportation leaders and spoke at the ceremony.
“The sacrifices you and your family make are countless as you carry out your duty to public service with long hours and late nights, dangerous work conditions, missed family gatherings or kids’ events—you name it,” Gov. Evers said. “In recognition of the tremendous effort each of you brings to the job every day, today we celebrate those who go the extra mile to support our communities.”
Lifesaving and Meritorious Service awards recognize those who saved lives or put themselves in physical danger to keep someone else safe. The Commendable Service, Superintendent’s Commendation, Unit Citation and employee of the year categories acknowledge accomplishments that contribute to WisDOT’s key mission to build a safe and efficient transportation system.
“State Patrol employees lay the groundwork of a safe transportation system,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “Through enforcement, education and technological innovation, our colleagues lead the way with excellence. It takes extraordinary teamwork to accomplish these incredible achievements, and that service makes our state stronger.”
Employees were nominated by their peers and selected to receive recognition for their actions by the State Patrol Awards Committee.
“I’m proud to recognize staff across all three of our bureaus for their compassion and dedication,” Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said. “We have amazing staff, both in the field and working behind the scenes, who continually go above and beyond to save a life or improve our operations.”
More information about the awards recipients and their work is in the attached program.
Lifesaving Award
| Award recipient | Post |
| Sergeant Erica Ballweg-Larsen | Deforest |
| Trooper Kyle Cook | Fond du Lac |
| Trooper Scott Darin | Waukesha |
| Inspector Thomas Fleming | Spooner |
| Deputy Jordan Jones | Columbia County Sheriff’s Office |
| Trooper Megan LaFave | Wausau |
| Inspector Todd Monson | Spooner |
| Trooper Daniel Restrepo | Wausau |
| Trooper David Schwoerer | Deforest |
| Lieutenant Mark Smit | Columbia County Sheriff’s Office |
| Trooper Christopher Splinter | Wausau |
| Trooper Christopher Sukis | Tomah |
| Trooper Sean Wiedersheim | Waukesha |
| Trooper Dettrick Zimmerman | Deforest |
Special Recognition
| Award | Award recipient | Post |
| Commendable Service | Lieutenant Andrew Martin | Headquarters |
| Commendable Service | Christopher Smith | Deforest |
| Meritorious Service | Trooper Michael Lawson | Waukesha |
| Superintendent’s Commendation | Trooper David Arndt | Deforest |
| Superintendent’s Commendation | Trooper Brett Boley | Eau Claire |
| Superintendent’s Commendation | Trooper Christina Holtz | Tomah |
| Superintendent’s Commendation | Trooper Timothy Knutson | Eau Claire |
| Superintendent’s Commendation | Trooper Steven Kuhnke | Fond du Lac |
| Superintendent’s Commendation | Trooper Joseph Redman | Eau Claire |
| Superintendent’s Commendation | Trooper Joshua Sasse | Fond du Lac |
| Superintendent’s Commendation | Trooper Caleb Truax | Fond du Lac |
| Innovation and Excellence Award | Jordan Bergeman | Eau Claire |
Unit Citation Award – SWAT Team
| Award recipient | Post |
| Inspector Kris Anderson | Tomah |
| Trooper Colton Bahling | Wausau |
| Sergeant Sean Berkowitch | Spooner |
| Inspector Robert Borek | Waukesha |
| Trooper Joseph Desprez | Eau Claire |
| Sergeant Kyle Dudek | Wausau |
| Trooper Steven Frantal | Wausau |
| Trooper Caleb Grabow-Hohensee | Wausau |
| Lieutenant Dean Haigh | Eau Claire |
| Sergeant Michael Heffernan | Eau Claire |
| Trooper Joshua Helmer | Fond du Lac |
| Inspector Jeffrey Hill | Deforest |
| Sergeant Jeffry Hudacek | Eau Claire |
| Inspector Lewis Judge | Fond du Lac |
| Trooper Carson Konkol | Tomah |
| Trooper Mitchell Kraetke | Spooner |
| Inspector Michael Larsen | Tomah |
| Captain Craig Larson | Eau Claire |
| Inspector Joshua Lintula | Spooner |
| Sergeant Nicholas Lorenzen | Waukesha |
| Trooper Adam Lukaszewski | Deforest |
| Sergeant Bret Manke | Deforest |
| Trooper Jeremy McNulty | Eau Claire |
| Inspector Martin Messa | Spooner |
| Inspector Daniel O’Connor | Wausau |
| Trooper Anthony Olson | Spooner |
| Sergeant Jon Pedersen | Wausau |
| Trooper Kristian Perales | Waukesha |
| Trooper Aaron Poehlman | Wausau |
| Trooper Kevin Powell | Fond du Lac |
| Inspector Scott Reignier | Fond du Lac |
| Sergeant Nathan Wright | Waukesha |
Unit Citation Award – Fleet Installation Center
| Award recipient | Facility |
| Trooper Brandon Ferrell | Fleet Installation Center |
| Benjamin Hoffman | Fleet Installation Center |
| Shelly Hughes | Fleet Installation Center |
| Shawn Murphy | Fleet Installation Center |
| Cole Pulver | Fleet Installation Center |
| Brandyn Rein | Fleet Installation Center |
| Jacob Rein | Fleet Installation Center |
| John Scherbert | Fleet Installation Center |
Employees of the Year
| Award | Award recipient | Post |
| Inspector of the Year | Inspector Cory Shilts | Spooner |
| Trooper of the Year | Trooper James Fetherston Jr. | Eau Claire |
| Civilian Employee of the Year | Steven Doll | Headquarters |
| Dispatcher of the Year | Grant Moxon | Deforest |