I.U.P.A. Local Milwaukee Police Association, #21 officers were recognized by the Milwaukee Police Department and the International Union of Police Associations for their heroism through Merit Awards as well as letters and certificates from President Cabral and Secretary-Treasurer Crivello.
- Police Officer Bradley M. Livingston – Click here to view certificate from I.U.P.A.
- Police Officer Brandi L. Poort – Click here to view certificate from I.U.P.A.
- Police Officer Brian J. Baker – Click here to view certificate from I.U.P.A.
- Police Officer Jennifer M. Knox – Click here to view certificate from I.U.P.A.
- Police Officer Matthew C. Wagner – Click here to view certificate from I.U.P.A.
- Police Officer Matthew J. Terpstra – Click here to view certificate from I.U.P.A.
- Police Officer Mohammad M. Abdulghani – Click here to view certificate from I.U.P.A.
- Police Officer Zachary J. Kwiatkowski – Click here to view certificate from I.U.P.A.
- Police Officer Zachary J. Szalacinski – Click here to view certificate from I.U.P.A.
President Cabral and Secretary-Treasurer Crivello sent them each a certificate from the I.U.P.A. and in the letter accompanying those certificates, President Cabral stated, “On behalf of the whole of the I.U.P.A., you have our thanks and commendation for your exemplary service. You are a true hero and a reminder of why officers put on their uniforms each and every day.”
The department posted on social media about the officers’ awards and their bravery:
- On Monday, March 20, 2023, District Seven squads responded to a shooting on the 6600 block of W. Fond du Lac Avenue. Officers Baker and Livingston discovered the unconscious victim had been shot in the head and shoulder and was struggling to breathe. The officers immediately worked together to provide first aid to the shooting victim. As Officers Baker and Livingston worked to stop the bleeding, they noticed that the victim had stopped breathing and was without a pulse. Officers Baker and Livingston immediately began CPR, continuing chest compressions until the victim regained a pulse. Medical personnel transported the victim to Froedtert Hospital for treatment. The Milwaukee Police Department honors Police Officers Brian J. Baker and Bradley M. Livingston with this Lifesaving Award for their quick action, excellent teamwork, and high regard for human life.”
- On Monday, March 06, 2023, Officer Wagner was working at a Walmart in the 3300 block of South 27th Street. Employees notifified Officer Wagner that a subject needed to be removed from the store. When Officer Wagner took control of the man’s arm, he pulled away, so Officer Wagner directed him to the floor to cuff him. But the fight had just begun. The man produced two knives and attacked, but Officer Wagner knocked the knives away. The suspect kept fighting to get away as Officer Wagner held him and radioed for backup. The suspect continued to fight, biting Officer Wagner on the stomach, severely injuring him. Officer Wagner maintained his composure and control of the suspect until officers arrived and assisted in taking the suspect into custody. In an encounter which could have easily turned into a deadly force situation, Police Officer Matthew C. Wagner showed remarkable restraint, steadfast courage,and extraordinary dedication. The Milwaukee Police Department is pleased to recognize him with the department’s Meritorious Service Award.
- On Saturday, March 18, 2023, Officers Kwiatkowski and Terpstra were about to go back into service after an unsuccessful search for a shooting suspect in the 1000 block of N. 10th Street. The department chaplain put out a call for help over the radio; he was a block away and had just found a man with multiple compound bone fractures to his arms and legs, screaming for help. Officer Kwiatkowski and Terpstra raced to the scene and found the injured man.The injuries were serious, and the officers saw that the man was losing blood at a rapid pace, especially from a gunshot wound to his leg. While Officer Terpstra applied a tourniquet to the terrible wound, Officer Kwiatkowski repositioned the man, re-established an airway and provided first aid until paramedics took overlifesaving procedures. Officers later learned the man they saved was the shooting suspect they were looking for. He had leapt out of an apartment window to a concrete slab 50 feet below to evade police. The Milwaukee Police Department is pleased to honor Police Officers Zachary J. Kwiatkowski and Matthew J. Terpstra with this Lifesaving Award for their quick action, excellent teamwork, and high regard for human life.
- On March 27, 2023, Officers Abdulghani and Szalacinski were in the 5000 block of W. Clark Street when they spied a vehicle that had been stolen with an unsecured firearm inside. The suspect ignored the attempted traffic stop and drove away recklessly from the officers, running stoplights and stop signs, threatening public safety. One minute into the pursuit the suspect fired at the officers, who calmly continued the chase. Even as the suspect exceeded 105 miles per hour, the officers continued a clear, professional broadcast. Three minutes later, the suspect made several sharpturns, then ambushed the officers, striking their squad with gunfire. The officers maneuvered their squad, returned fire through the windshield, and forced the suspect to stop his rampage. The officers took the suspect into custody and recovered the stolen firearm, which the suspect had used in his assault against them. For their extraordinary bravery, dogged pursuit of a dangerous suspect, and calm restraint under fire, the Milwaukee Police Department is pleased to honor Police Officers Mohammad M. Abdulghani and Zachary J. Szalacinski with the Medal of Valor – Combat Award.
- On Sunday, June 11, 2023, Officers Poort and Knox investigated a battery complaint, made an arrest, then transported the female suspect to District Four for processing. During the booking process, the woman started to move slowly and her speech became erratic. The partners monitored the woman throughout the booking process, concerned there might be a medical issue. Suddenly, the woman fell backwards. Officers Poort and Knox caught the woman and controlled her descent to the ground, preventing a head injury. Clearly, something was very wrong. The woman was unresponsive and the officers could not find a pulse. Officer Poort began chest compressions while Officer Knox created an airway and monitored the effectiveness of the CPR. Paramedics arrived moments later, took over lifesaving measures, and transported the woman to Froedtert Hospital. According to the treating physician, the rapid response by Officers Knox and Poort saved the woman from brain damage or death. The Milwaukee Police Department is pleased to honor Police Officers Jennifer M. Knox and Brandi L. Poort with this Lifesaving Award for their quick action, excellent teamwork, and high regard for human life.
The I.U.P.A. and LEORF Hero Spotlight shines a light on LEOs whose heroism, quick thinking, and dedication are examples to those in our profession and remind us all why we put on the uniform every day. Previous Hero Spotlights have included:
- Hero Spotlight: Yonkers Police Officers
- Hero Spotlight: DEEP Conservation Enforcement Officer Jordan Jacquo
- School Resource Officer David Singer
- Hero Spotlight: Police Officer Dylan Coffman
- Hero Spotlight: Patrolman Jacob K. Vorce and Patrolman Tristan L. Sanders
- Hero Spotlight: WACOPS Officers Protecting And Serving On The Ground And In The Sky
- Hero Spotlight: Deputy Eric Blake
- Hero Spotlight: School Resource Officer Roy
- Hero Spotlight: Detective Monique Gilstrap
- Hero Spotlight: Officer Evan Barone
- Hero Spotlight: Clermont Police Officers
- Hero Spotlight: Dispatcher Trish Geiman
- Hero Spotlight: Officer Nick Jones
- Hero Spotlight: Officer VanArsdale And K9 Anthony
- Hero Spotlight: Melinda Kendall
- Hero Spotlight: Daniel Thompson
