March 4, 2020 – West Bend, WI – The West Bend Common Council recognized 15 people in the community this week with Citizen Awards from the West Bend Police Department. “The citizens assisted in clearing crimes, preventing crimes, and helping their fellow citizens in need,” according to the West Bend PD.
The write ups below were provided by Captain Tim Dehring.
Nickolas J. Garbisch and Randyl A. Hestekin – On January 14, 2019 at 1:15 p.m., while working at Advanced Disposal, Nickolas and Randall observed a dumpster on fire against the north side of the Heartland Woodcraft.
The flames from the dumpster were hitting the building. Nickolas called 9-1-1 while he entered Heartland Woodcraft to alert their employees to evacuate the building. At the same time, Randall used an Advanced Disposal truck to pull the fully engulfed dumpster away from the building. Nickolas and Randall’s quick thinking and actions under pressure prevented injury to those inside the building and prevented extensive property damage to the business. We commend Nickolas and Randal for their quick actions in helping keep our citizens safe and saving a neighboring business from extensive property damage.
Carmen I. Alverio and Maxwell T. Roy – On January 24, 2019 at 4:18 p.m., Carmen and Max were working at the Boys & Girls Club when a parent came in to pick up their child.
Carmen observed the parent was intoxicated and quickly informed her supervisor, Max, who called 9-1-1. Max described the vehicle, the driver, and the direction of travel to the police dispatcher. Based on that information, officers located the vehicle and arrested the driver for second offense OWI with a passenger under 16 in the car. Due to their quick thinking and willingness to get involved, the impaired driver was taken off the road before anyone was injured. We commend Carmen and Maxwell for their quick actions in helping keep our citizens safe.
Madeline M. Sienko and Payton T. Sienko – On April 19, 2019 at 8:36 a.m., sisters Madeline and Payton were driving westbound on Decorah Road approaching the HWY 45 overpass when they saw a woman hanging from the railing on the side of the bridge.
The 20-year-old woman was attempting to jump from the bridge into the highway traffic below. Payton and Madeline stopped their vehicle, approached the female and helped her back over the railing preventing her from possible suicide. The sisters called police as they escorted the woman into their vehicle for her safety. While waiting for the police to arrive, the woman made suicidal statements indicating she wanted to jump off the bridge and attempted to exit the vehicle. Payton prevented her from leaving the car and both remained with and comforted the woman until officers arrived and took the woman into protective custody. We commend Payton and Madeline for their quick actions and willingness to get involved. They clearly helped prevent a likely suicide.
Lance C. Cromb – On June 12, 2019 at 8:20 p.m., Lance witnessed a motorcyclist skidding to a stop on the corner of Sylvan Way at Butternut Street. The operator of the motorcycle fell over while turning and slid over 20 feet before stopping with the motorcycle pinning him down.
When Lance tried to help, the man, who was injured and bleeding heavily from his face, refused. Lance was able to move the motorcycle off the injured man while another bystander called 9-1-1. The motorcyclist then tried to drive off. Lance observed the man had been drinking and would likely injure himself or others if he continued to drive. Lance removed the key from the ignition and attempted to keep the motorcyclist on scene until officers arrived. Investigating officers arrested the man for Operating While Intoxicated. Lance’s actions prevented the motorcyclist from injuring other motorists, citizens, or himself. We commend Lance for his quick actions and willingness to get involved.
Aleksandra M. Cholewa – On July 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Aleksandra went to Regner Park to pick up her grandchild who was with classmates at Regner Park after their school day. While at the park, Aleksandra saw a 6-year-old girl who had mistakenly not been picked up by her parents due to confusion caused by an altered school schedule.
Aleksandra remained with the girl for about 45 minutes and called police when it became clear she was not going to be picked up. An officer was able to make contact with the girl’s parents to arrange pick-up of their child. Aleksandra is commended for being alert and caring enough to take the time to assist the police in ensuring the safety and well-being of the young girl.
Paul J. Frank and Kevin C. Hall – On August 31, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. the Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to the West Bend High Schools for a report a 16-year-old male East Cross Country team member who had collasped during a Cross Country meet. Paul and Kevin, coaches for the Sun Prairie High School Cross Country Team, were told by a parent that a runner was laying in the grass, unresponsive. They immediately went to the area and determined the young man was not breathing and did not have a pulse. Paul and Kevin immediatley started CPR and continued until the arrival of West Bend Fire paramedics. West Bend Fire provided life saving measures, including several AED shocks and transported the student to St Joseph’s Hospital. The student was later flown to Childrens Hospital via Flight for Life, and THANKFULLY, was released several days later and is in the process of making a full recovery. Paul and Kevin are commended for their quick actions which clearly helped saved the life of the 16-year-old student-athlete.
Melissa S. Ingraham – On September 4, 2019 at 1:07 a.m., Melissa called the police to report observing a female at the Kwik Trip on Silverbrook Drive who, based on her actions, appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Melissa observed the woman get into a vehicle and drive away. Melissa contacted the police, reported her observations, and provided a detailed description of the vehicle and direction of travel. Based on Melissa’s information, officers were able to stop the vehicle, located drugs and drug paraphernalia, and determined the driver was indeed impaired. The driver was arrested for OWI-Drug Related, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and was found to have several active warrants for her arrest. Due to Melissa’s quick thinking and willingness to get involved, an impaired driver was taken off the road before anyone was injured. We commend Melissa for her quick actions in helping keep our citizens safe.
Matthew C. Myrhum – On November 18, 2019 at 4:45 p.m., Matthew observed an adult male lying on the sidewalk on Barton Avenue and Roosevelt Drive. Matthew stopped to check on the man and immediately recognized the man was suffering from a medical emergency. Matthew rolled the male onto his side and called 9-1-1. Matthew stood by with the man until police and rescue personnel arrived. Matthew’s observations, assistance and calling 9-1-1 ensured the man received the medical assistance he needed. Matthew is commended for checking on the man helping to ensure he did not sustain further injury.
Nathan J. Bonenfant – On December 7, 2019 at 11:28 p.m., Nathan was parked in the Walnut Street parking lot and observed a pickup truck back into another vehicle. The driver then drove away, driving on the wrong side of the road. Nathan immediately notified an officer in the area what happened. He was able to provide the officer with a vehicle description and direction of travel. Nathan’s actions resulted in officers being able to quickly locate the vehicle and arrest the driver for OWI and hit and run. Nathan’s assistance ensured the driver was taken off the road before causing another crash or injuring any citizens. We commend Nathan for his quick actions in helping keep our citizens safe.
Richard D. Garrison – On January 16, 2020 at 7:16 a.m. Richard observed a female in a wheelchair stuck in the snow in front of a vacant building. The temperature outside was 6 degrees with a wind chill of -5. Richard gave the woman a ride to Walmart where she was going to do some shopping. Richard then attempted to prepay for a cab ride back home for the female; however, was unable due to the taxi company policy. Richard then came into the lobby of the police department to request police check on the woman to ensure she got home safely. Richard is commended for his kindness and concern for a citizen in need of assistance and the care and compassion he showed her.
Samantha J. Unger – On February 1, 2020 at 1:34 a.m., Samantha contacted the West Bend Police Department to report an erratic driver in the area of Jackson Drive and County Road PV.
Samantha followed the vehicle as it entered the city of West Bend and provided a detailed description of the vehicle, the driver, and direction of travel. Based on Samantha’s information, officers were able to locate, stop, and ultimately arrest the driver for Operating While Under the Influence-2nd Offense. Due to the information provided by Samantha, officers were able to respond quickly, investigate the complaint, and arrest the driver before they caused a crash or injured anyone. We commend Samantha for her quick actions in helping keep our citizens safe. Samantha was at work and the award was accepted by her mom.
West Bend Crime Prevention Patrol members were also recognized for nearly 1,000 hours of volunteer time to the community which helped to ensure the safety of our community’s many special events.
