Full Notification

Wednesday, September 19, 2018 was the day we have prepared and trained for, but a day we dreaded and hoped would never happen.

An active shooter, in an unprovoked attack, fired on his work colleagues. He shot several and forever affected the lives of many. The employees of WTS Paradigm and other nearby businesses survived. They survived because they took affirmative action. Some fled, some sheltered in place and some barricaded themselves in safe places. They all survived and they are all heroes.

You can imagine that I am proud of the public safety response. Everyone from the dispatchers in the Middleton Police Communication Center and the Dane County 911 Center, civilian staff, responding law enforcement from Federal, State, County and Municipal agencies and our public safety partners in the Fire and EMS Services performed professionally, bravely and decisively, which limited the loss of life and injuries. You should be proud of your Public Safety Agencies.

The outpouring of public support has been awe inspiring. Businesses and roads have been closed, with no complaints. Several hotels have turned over their facilities to us, disrupting their business, but without complaint. The community has been generous with food donations and kind words. I cannot tell you how those kind words and expressions of concerns for the well-being of the shooting victims, affected citizens and the welfare of our public safety staffs buoys our spirits. Our elected officials, on a national, state, county and local level have been tremendously supportive.

On behalf of the Middleton Police Department, I thank each and every one of you.

While I have much to feel positive about, I cannot help but grieve that this happened in our community and continues to happen in our country.

We cannot accept this as the new normal.

Chief Foulke