Sheboygan Police Department

The Sheboygan Police Benevolent Association held their 2nd Annual Awards Ceremony on March 2, 2010, at the Sheboygan Yacht Club. The benevolent has constructed an awards committee that accepts nominations for individuals who they have felt have provided exceptional service or an extraordinary act that has benefited the community at large. The following is a listing of individuals who were award recipients and brief descriptions of these awards.

Meritorious Service Award: Presented to an officer for exceptional performance of outstanding service on behalf of the department, while carrying out an act of great responsibility, or of critical importance to law enforcement.

- Officer DeanWendlandt
- Officer Joel Kuszynski


Officer of the Year Award: Presented to an officer for exemplary service to the community, which involves performance and achievement above and beyond that which is required by an officer's basic assignment.

- Officer Brian Retzer

Civilian of the Year Award: Presented to a non-sworn employee for exemplary service to the community, which involves performance and achievement above and beyond that which is required by the employee's basic assignment.

- Mary Danen

Life Saving Award: Presented to sworn and/or non-sworn individuals for performing an act, through prompt and decisive action, under extraordinary circumstances, that saves or significantly prolongs the life of another.

- Officer Brian Inger
- Officer Ryan Schmitt
-Zachary Leschke


Citizen's Distinguished Service Award: Presented to individuals, who are not members of the police department, who through courageous acts of bravery and/or personal risk have assisted in apprehending a criminal, aiding an officer during a critical incident, or who demonstrated exceptional cooperation with the department in the accomplished of it's mission.

- Susan Lee
- Jason Downing

It should be noted that Jason Downing sustained a severe brain injury, after he was brutally attacked while attempting to catch vandals that had damaged a vehicle. Jason remains confined to a wheel chair and needs constant care. His attacker received 9 years in prison. We will continue to extend our thoughts and prayers to Jason and his family, as he and his family has very much marked an impression not only on our lives, but our hearts as well.

Congratulations to all !