Mount Pleasant Says 'Thank You' to Their Police Officers

With this week being Police Week, a number of community members have offered their heartfelt thanks to the men and women in blue this week.

The week includes area law enforcement officials honoring those who were disabled or died in the line of duty. More than 19,000 names of fallen law enforcement officers are etched into the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial — and more are added every year.

So why is Police Week important?

Mount Pleasant Police Chief Tim Zarzecki said these few days draw attention to the duty of an officer and to honor the fallen.

"This week means a lot to our officers because it gives the community a chance to reflect on the work of our department and for officers to think about their dedication to the community," he said.

It was not by coincidence that officers and their families gathered Tuesday to honor some specific examples of excellent police work. Zarzecki confirmed that after several years of not hosting an award ceremony, a committee was put together within the department to schedule the night with National Police Week.

"This was on purpose," he acknowledged. "During a week when police are being recognized for their service and sacrifice, we thought it was appropriate to recognize our own officers here in Mount Pleasant."

A total of 48 commendations were handed out; including two Citizens Awards to Diane Oswald for her vigilence in the Lake Park neighborhood and to Thomas Pietras who reported a burglary in progress so that when MPPD arrived, the suspects were still inside the residence.

While the Mount Pleasant Police Department hasn't lost any officers during the course of duty, the following officers were killed while on duty while serving the Racine County Sheriff's Department:

Deputy Sheriff Henry Denman
Racine County Sheriff's Department
EOW: Thursday, June 25, 1953
Cause: Vehicle pursuit

Deputy Sheriff George W. Hansen
Racine County Sheriff's Department
EOW: Thursday, June 18, 1953
Cause: Vehicle pursuit

Deputy Sheriff Arthur G. Herman
Racine County Sheriff's Department
EOW: Saturday, May 15, 1920
Cause: Motorcycle accident

Because members of the Mount Pleasant Police Department put their lives on the line every day, we put out a call on Facebook to give the community the opportunity to show their support for their men and women in blue.

Here's what you had to say:

Jeni Rahlf France: MPPD Officer Pat Albers ... thank you for protecting our neighborhood and our community!

Jenn Raclaw Thank you to Sturtevant PD and MPPD for keeping my firefighter husband safe at work. Keep your chins up it has been a very rough year already!

Tim Wendt MPPD K9 Officer Dale Swort.. Sturtevant officer Stuart Tencate. Awesome officers thanks for protecting our communities.