JANESVILLE — More than 100 people sat still, saluting or holding their hands over their hearts, as Janesville Police Chief Chad Pearson’s 12-year-old daughter, Elle Pearson, sang the National Anthem during a somber Rock County Law Enforcement Memorial Service Wednesday night at Rotary Botanical Gardens.
“A career in law enforcement has an impact on the officers, their families and their friends. There are those missed family events, the holidays, the working weekends, to call out the orderings and the shear stress put on the family each day their loved one heads off to work to address the unknown in society,” Pearson said in his welcome address. “Our brave men and women wear the uniform with pride, honor and courage every day to serve and protect others.”
In honor of National Police Week, May 12-18, Rock County law enforcement officers were recognized for their sacrifices and service, as respect was paid to fallen Wisconsin officers.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc., a nonprofit that maintains a list of American law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty, there were 138 deaths in 2023, Pearson said. Four of those were in Wisconsin. There have been no line of duty deaths in Wisconsin in 2024.
Wisconsin officers’ end of watch in 2023 include: Peter E. C. Jerving, Milwaukee Police Department on Feb. 7, Emily A. Breidenbach, Chetek Police Department on April 8, Hunter T. Scheel, Cameron Police Department; and Kaitie R. Leisin, St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office on May 6.
Wednesday night’s ceremony began with the posting of the colors as Aaron Kerr played the bagpipes. Officers marched in cadence, their synchronized steps creating a powerful display of unity and respect for officers who have fallen.
Pearson also recognized officers who died as a result of suicide associated with the stress of the job.
“Officer suicides that are linked to official duties and exposure to trauma are not recognized as the line of duty death. Either way, it’s still tragic for those officers and their families and they deserve every bit of respect and recognition,” Pearson said.
Janesville Police Chaplain Jack Fish led the opening prayer, while chaplain Tim Hartley read a selected reading and chaplain David Bergelin led the closing prayer.
Keynote speaker, Jeff Watts, director of continued service and disaster response of Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, came from Arkansas for the event.
“Behind every badge, every uniform, there beats a heart of a son or daughter,” Watts said. “If they’re a sister, a mother or a father, they are more than just law enforcement personnel, they’re beloved family members, cherished friends and pillars of our community. For the fallen officers, while you are no longer with us, your spirit lives on in the hearts of those you’ve touched, the communities you’ve served and the lives you’ve saved.” Sheep Dog is a nonprofit that helps service heroes find opportunities to continue serving, which helps prevent suicides in veteran and first responder communities.
Officers marched down the aisle, one by one, to place single red roses in a vase to represent fallen officers from Rock County.
Recognized were Fredrick T Samp of Beloit Police Department who died on May 8, 1935, Peter A. Larsen of the Beloit Police Department who died on Nov. 15, 1998, John D. Conger of the Milton Police Department who died on Oct. 20, 2013, Bradley J. Kaderly, of the Rock County Sheriff’s Office who died on Nov. 11, 2021, and Daniel J. Daly of the Beloit Police Department who died on Nov. 15, 2021. Yellow roses were also provided to represent Rock County officers lost to suicide, such as John Conger.
A firing party was performed outside in the Gardens, by a combination of Honor Guard units, for the fallen four officers in Wisconsin last year.
“Taps,” a bugle call for fallen officers, was performed by Janesville retired Sgt. Dean Sukus. Rock County Sheriff’s Office deputies wore white gloves and marched to the front with a large American flag, before delicately folding it and placing it next to the vase of roses.
After the ceremony, officers and their families took a stroll outside in the gardens, remembering their colleagues.
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