The Green Bay Packers recognized several exemplary Wisconsin law enforcement officers this week for going above and beyond the call of duty with the Packers Protect & Serve Award.
The recipients received a special award and a $2,000 grant to benefit their department or a nonprofit. They were treated to a luncheon and an award presentation, as well as speeches from Packers player Matt Orzech and Chief Davis from the Green Bay Police Department. Several award winners attended with their family members, friends, fellow officers and superiors.
Winners presented awards this spring include:
- Officer Patrick Brock from the Grafton Police Department
- Sergeant Noah Eernisse from the Grafton Police Department
- Officer Adam Kern from the Grafton Police Department
- Detective Daniel Enger from the Sun Prairie Police Department
- Deputy Matt Hassemer from the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office
- Officer Ryan Kimberley from the City of Madison Police Department
- Deputy Brad Mathwich from the Portage County Sheriff's Office
- Officer Christopher McCray from the Milwaukee Police Department
- Officer Lauren Robinson from the Superior Police Department
- Chief Deputy Andy Runice from the Bayfield County Sheriff's Office
- Corporal Michael Schmidt of the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office
- Investigator Alexis Woelfel from the Oneida Police Department
- K-9 Officer Barry and handler, Officer Jeremiah Ballew, from the Stevens Point Police Department
- School Resource Officer Ben Mieloszyk from the Mount Pleasant Police Department
- Green Bay Police Department
The awards themselves, hand-crafted wooden American flags, were made by Oneida Police Sergeant Nathan Ness through his small business HomeLee Woodworking.
The Packers Protect & Serve Award is funded by the Packers and the NFL Foundation, with each award recipient receiving a $2,000 grant to benefit his or her department or a nonprofit with which they are involved.
The Packers Protect & Serve Award is part of Green Bay Packers Give Back, the Packers' all-encompassing community outreach initiative. Combined with other Green Bay Packers charity endeavors, the awards contribute to a comprehensive Packers charity impact that was in excess of $13 million last year.
