‘No Greater Love’: Families, colleagues remembering fallen officers in Madison, D.C.

The impact of the loss of two Barron County police officers slain in the line of duty last year continues to resonate in their communities as family, friends and colleagues journeyed to Madison and Washington, D.C., to participate in memorial ceremonies.

Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial Day, held Friday in Madison, commemorated Chetek Police Officer Emily Breidenbach and Cameron Police Officer Hunter Scheel, who gave their lives to protect the public during a traffic stop on April 8, 2023.

Members of the Chetek Police Department, Cameron Police Department and family members had traveled to Wisconsin’s capitol, where the names of Breidenbach and Scheel were added to the Law Enforcement Memorial. St. Croix County Sheriff’s Deputy Kaitlin Leising and Milwaukee Police Officer Peter Jerving similarly were honored.

The Chetek-Weyerhaeuser High School Band and Cameron High School Band performed an original piece, “No Greater Love,” during the ceremony.

“This musical piece was written just for [Friday’s] service and was played beautifully in front of the capital,” stated a Chetek Police Department Facebook post.

As well as attending the memorial ceremony in Madison, local law enforcement officers and family members of Breidenbach and Scheel traveled to Washington, D.C., for Police Officers Memorial Week.

Five women — administrative assistant Ashlea Olson and Lt. Jessica Larson of the Chetek Police Department, along with Jen Blatz of the Chetek Chamber, and Beth Siem and Brianna Olson of local businesses — raised more than $50,000 to help the officers and family travel to D.C.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to be in Washington, D.C., with Emily’s and Hunter’s families for this memorial,” Larson said. “We couldn’t have made this possible without the support we have been receiving.”

Rice Lake Police Department Chaplain Cody Kargus likewise expressed gratitude to the communities for funding travel for everyone to get to Washington, D.C., for the national observation.

“We are humbled and honored to be a part of honoring our two officers,” Kargus said. “Every day so far has been full of tears, hugs, laughter, and great memories of Hunter and Emily. It is truly a blessing to have both departments represented here.”

Kargus also stated as the families of the two officers were present it was great to have support from C.O.P.S. — Concerns of Police Survivors.

“They are a great emotional support for us during this time,” the chaplain said.

Police Officers Memorial Week events included two different bicycle rides, with one being the police unity tour, in which officers rode 300 miles to the memorial.

“Many of them were wearing Hunter and Emily‘s numbers and names on their bikes and clothing,” Kargus said. “It is also great to connect with the Milwaukee Police Department with their fallen Officer Peter and St. Croix Falls Sheriff’s Department’s Deputy Katie. Last year Wisconsin had four officers killed in the line of duty within 88 days.”

Monday evening a candlelight vigil was held in D.C., and on Tuesday several breakout sessions were scheduled to help survivors cope with the grief. The main memorial service is slated for Wednesday at the capitol building.

President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week, according to National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Special recognition is paid to officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.