Washington Co., Wi – The Germantown Police Department took the lead on the presentation of the 2024 Washington County Law Enforcement Memorial Service at Washington County Fair Park. Chief Mike Snow presided over the ceremony.
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2024 Law Enforcement Memorial Service Speech by Judge Michael Kenitz
“Greater love hath no man than this….that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
John, Chapter 15, verse 13.
Chief Snow…….distinguished members of law enforcement…..ladies and gentlemen. It is an honor and a privilege to be here today.
We are here today to honor . . . and remember . . . those brave and selfless members of law enforcement who paid the ultimate price in service to their friends, to their fellow citizens, and to their community.
We remember all of those who have fallen in the line of duty, while protecting and serving the innocent, their communities, and those in need.
We remember those men and women who said goodbye to their spouses, their children, or their parents before leaving for work one day, as they did any other day. . . and never came home.
We remember especially those fallen members of the Washington County Law Enforcement Community. . . Deputy John Schmitt . . . Officer Robert Backes . . . and Marshal Leonard Scherger.
Deputy John Schmitt, age 31, killed while answering a call for assistance from a fellow officer. Thirty one.
Officer Robert Backes, age 35, killed after stopping to assist a motorist with a flat tire. Thirty five.
Marshal Scherger, age 33, killed while responding to a report of suspicions individuals at a railroad freight depot. Thirty three.
Any number of things about these fallen heroes and their stories stands out. Their age, certainly. But as much as anything, what stands out to me is how these stories represent the everyday risk that law enforcement officers are prepared to encounter in serving their communities.
These officers were not assigned to transport a dangerous, violent criminal. These officers were not assigned to conduct a raid on a dangerous drug house, uncertain who, and what, they may encounter on the other side of the door. These officers were not dispatched to disburse an angry mob that was decomposing into chaos.
They were not assigned such things. Their assignment much more familiar. To assist another officer. To assist with a flat tire. To investigate a vague report of suspicions individuals. The types of assignments that can be given to any officer, on any day, at any time. These brave men accepted that assignment, and paid the ultimate price for it.
The story of these men, and the story of countless other fallen officers, tells you what it means to become a member of law enforcement.
It means putting yourself on the front line to confront the problems of society and the flawed human beings that inhabit it.
It means to be depended on by those in need.
It means being present and willing to serve to any fellow citizen, regardless of whether they deserve it.
It means to help people, whether or not they may be willing help themselves, and whether or not they will ever appreciate the help they are given.
It means that you go to work each day, knowing that any day, any shift, any call, no matter how routine it may seem, can be your last. And yet, you are willing to serve.
These sound like impossible standards. Were it not for the sacrifices of heroes like Deputy Schmitt . . . Officer Backes . . . Marshal Scherger . . . and countless other fallen officers, you would not expect human beings to be able meet them. And yet they do……….(pause)
In 2024, the duties and activities of law enforcement are more visible than ever. The proliferation of technology such as squad cameras . . . body cameras . . . cell phones . . . private security systems such as ring doorbells and similar surveillance systems . . . and nonstop coverage on cable news, streaming services, podcasts, and the like have cast an enormous microscope on the interactions between law enforcement and the citizens they serve. There are some who demand perfection in an imperfect world. Who demand flawless performance by human beings, when we are by our very nature, flawed. Yet, as amazing as these standards are for those who insist on them, in my experience what is even more amazing is how often law enforcement meets, and exceeds, these impossible standards.
Before I became a judge in 2022, I was an attorney in private practice for sixteen years. As an attorney, the types of cases I handled would often intersect with law enforcement in one fashion or another. Many times, it was representing individuals whose interests were adversarial to law enforcement. Many times, it was representing individuals whose interests were aligned with law enforcement. Many times, it was representing victims of crime who depended on the efforts of law enforcement to help them achieve justice. Now, as a judge, I of course preside over many cases that intersect, directly or indirectly, with law enforcement.
…In my experience, the microscope placed on police today has revealed the virtues of the men and women of law enforcement, not their flaws. The patience . . .. . . understanding . . . compassion . . . wisdom . . . and unmatched selflessness of so many members of law enforcement is what is on display more than ever.
And this is happening at a time where the challenges presented to law enforcement are greater than ever. The danger to law enforcement does not come only from the intentionally violent and dangerous members of our society. It can come in the form of a mental illness or mental health crises. It can come in the form of chemicals, as the mere exposure to certain substances can present dangers to law enforcement and first responders. The dangers and challenges come from so many angles, known and unknown.
Just the other day, on May 14, Tuesday, the FBI National Press Office issued a release. According to the release, from 2021 to 2023, more officers were feloniously killed than in any other consecutive three year period in the last 20 years. The rate of officers assaulted has increased each of the past three years. 2023 marked the highest officer assault rate in the past 10 years.
For most of us, such statistics are not even compiled. But for law enforcement personnel, the risk to life and limb is the nature of the job. And yet, every day, the men and women of law enforcement show up for work, to protect and serve. Ready to meet, and exceed, the unrealistic expectations placed upon them.
So many of us are asked, as young adults, why we are choosing the career we are choosing. Perhaps it’s a career in law; perhaps it’s a career in medicine; perhaps it’s a career in teaching; perhaps it’s a career in any number of areas. And so many of us, when asked why we want to be a lawyer, or a doctor, or a nurse, or a teacher, or whatever it may be, will answer: “because I want to help people.”
However, for those who choose a career in law enforcement, the answer is different. The answer is, “because I am willing to risk my life to help people.” That is a very different thing, isn’t it….
And that’s because the men and women that choose a career in law enforcement are, indeed, very different. Precious few professions in our society deserve to command respect and appreciation just by virtue of the fact that it was chosen. Law enforcement, however, is one such profession.
So when we remember those members of law enforcement who gave their lives in service to their community, we should also remember the choices and sacrifices made by the brave men and women of law enforcement. We should remember the sacrifices made by their loved ones, who know their loved one will have to miss important things to work long hours, but who DON’T know for sure if they will come home. We should remember what John Schmitt, Robert Backes, and Leonard Scherger taught us about what it means to be a law enforcement officer. We should remember. And we should be thankful. May God bless those who have laid down their lives….for their friends.
Thank you.
