March 20, 2021 – Dodge Co., WI – President Mary Wendel of the Dodge County Executive Law Enforcement Association and Sheriff Dale Schmidt presented awards to the following:
YOUTH OF THE YEAR AWARD:
Brooklyn Schraver (3 years old) who was outside her residence and smelled smoke and alerted her grandfather. Her grandfather was able to locate the source of the smoke coming from a neighboring residence and the early detection kept the fire from taking the entire residence and responders were able to make sure the home was not occupied.
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS:
Amanda Nickel and her children Nathan, Noah and Piper were traveling through Dodge County when she encountered a person running back and forth across the median of USHY 151. She made contact with the subject and asked if help was needed and at that moment Amanda had no idea how dire this subject’s situation was. The subject was a victim of battery from an individual who has a long history of domestic violence and who had just been released from prison. Amanda provided refuge inside of her vehicle and contact was made with the sheriff’s office. Many vehicles passed by this victim without stopping. The victim referred to Amanda Nickel as her guardian angel after they parted ways.
Toby Schreier was driving and observed a woman sitting next to her car crying. Toby stopped to check on her and she told him she wanted to harm herself. The woman walked into traffic as a semi was approaching and Toby pulled her from the roadway. She then got into her car and drove away and Toby followed her and called 911 for assistance. The woman then stopped at an intersection and Toby pulled his vehicle in front of her keeping her from driving into traffic to harm herself. He again made contact with her and stayed with her until deputies arrived.
Terry and David Lemke (no photo available) responded to a house fire near where they reside as they had observed smoke and flames coming from a neighboring house. They entered the house where they could see an elderly male who was sleeping in a chair. They were able to wake the man and get him out of the chair and out of the house. The elderly gentleman can only walk with the aid of a walker. They also were able to rescue a dog from the residence.
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR (HONORABLE MENTION)
Michael Sterr arrived at a location to pick up some cattle for auction. He observed a subject collapse in a cattle pen. Michael called 911 and began chest compressions and continued until law enforcement arrived who then deployed an AED on the patient who was blue to purple in the face, not breathing and had no pulse. By the time of transport to the hospital by EMS the patient was able to breathe on his own and was becoming responsive.
SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD
Deputy Secretary Shawn Rogers of the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office is organized, detail-oriented and persistent. She serves as secretary for all duties related to the sheriff. Shawn also reports crime statistics to the state monthly, performs website and social media management, processes incident reports and assists with the department records management software. She has a knack for locating duplication of efforts or missing information and finds ways to correct deficiencies. Shawn understands that spelling errors, missing information and improper processes impact the entire organization as well as the community we serve and she constantly strives to make us better.
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR (HONORABLE MENTION)
Deputy Scott Anderson of the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office has a passion for removing impaired drivers and illegal drug users from our streets and highways while also spending a great deal of time in traffic enforcement efforts. In 2020 Deputy Anderson removed 94 impaired drivers who were impaired at a level higher than the law permits while driving. His values in regards to highway safety and the reduction of serious and fatal crashes exemplifies the mission of the sheriff’s office.
CORPORATE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Lamar Corporation (no photo available) has donated considerable billboard space around Dodge County to promote law enforcement and public safety over the last 6 years. They help to publicize Dodge County’s Text to 911 program, our Smart 911 initiative, the Most Wanted program, Project Lifesaver, Shop with Cops and other important programs. These projects have been at no cost to Dodge County and is a total savings of approximately $20,000 since 2015.
Congratulations to all!
