Full Notification

On Friday, May 11, 2018, the 28th annual Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony will be held at noon at the Memorial site located on the Capitol grounds in Madison, WI. The annual ceremony, honoring and remembering Wisconsin law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, is held in correlation with National Police Week activities. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 “National Peace Officer’s Memorial Day” and National Police Week as the calendar week which encompasses May 15. National Police Week 2018 is May 13 until May 19.

There will be a squad procession involving officers from across Wisconsin that will leave Olin Park at 11:15 AM and arrive at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Olin Park is located off the Highway 12/18 beltline in Madison.

During this year’s ceremony four names will be officially added to the Memorial, bringing the total amount of Wisconsin law enforcement officers listed on the Memorial to 277. These four names are located on panel IV of the Memorial. Two of those names were discovered through historical research. On September 6, 1895, Sheboygan Police Department Special Officer Charles Freiherr was struck and killed by a switch engine as he was checking the rail yard for trespassers. On February 13, 1943, Milwaukee Police Department Lieutenant Albert Grosskopf responded, as the Incident Commander, to an apartment fire in a four story building. While on the scene, Lt. Grosskopf suddenly collapsed. He was rushed to an area hospital where he died of a heart attack.

On March 22, 2017, Everest Metropolitan Police Department Detective Jason Weiland responded to a domestic disturbance related active shooter incident where three civilians were killed. As Detective Weiland attempted to set up an outer perimeter around the suspect's apartment building, Detective Weiland was shot and fatally wounded.

On April 11, 2017, Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Anthony Borostowski was on patrol and lost control of his patrol squad. Trooper Borostowski’s patrol squad left the road and struck a tree. Trooper Borostowski was fatally injured in the crash.

Ceremony speakers include Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel and Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent J.D. Lind.

Additionally, members of the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Eau Claire Police Department, Fitchburg Police Department, Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office, Menomonee Falls Police Department, Two Rivers Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin State Patrol Honor Guards will post guards at the memorial site starting at sunrise. Similar to the military guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, two Law Enforcement Honor Guard members will continually encircle the memorial site from approximately 5:30 AM until the memorial ceremony at noon.

Any media that would like further comment, Officer Craig Kolbeck will be available today and tomorrow after 2:15 PM. Please call the media line to arrange the interview.

Additional information can be found at www.wlem.com or on Facebook @
Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial, Inc.