2025 UWPD Awards

Nominated by: Former Sgt. Peter Grimyser

I recommend PO Kenan Goyette for an Excellent Service Award for two detailed investigations.

In September 2024,  PO Goyette conducted a long, thorough investigation into six theft cases using a number of resources to apprehend two suspects, who were each charged on 01/22/25 with seven counts of theft (party to a crime) and one count each of resisting/obstructing an officer.

PO Goyette coordinated with the police officers who had taken the initial reports and reviewed hours of surveillance video. In a few of the cases, Digital Forensics Investigator Nicole Odom also assisted him with reviewing
video surveillance footage. P.O. Goyette linked the two suspects to six theft cases. PO Goyette shared the information about the thefts with other law enforcement agencies and the public via social media to aid him in identifying the two suspects.PO Goyette reviewed multiple tips to help him identify the two suspects, whom he was able to positively identify using multiple law enforcement databases.

In October 2024, PO Goyette contacted one of the two suspects at a Wisconsin Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Office in Madison, WI, and he conducted an interview with him. The suspect confessed to stealing various property that did not belong to him. The suspect also stated the other suspect had fled to Milwaukee, WI, after seeing images of them on social media to avoid arrest by law enforcement. The first suspect was arrested.
In January 2025, PO Goyette received a tip that the second suspect had returned to Madison, WI, and he was presently in the area of E. Washington Avenue and Blair Street. PO Goyette immediately responded to the area, and he observed the second suspect, who also saw him. The second suspect initially hid from PO Goyette, but due to his perseverance. PO Goyette located the second suspect hiding a short distance away, and he apprehended him without incident.

On March 12, 2025, PO Goyette led a recovery operation for bicycles and e-scooters stolen from the University of Wisconsin that were purportedly being stored in an unsanctioned improvised encampment in a remote field on City of
Madison property.

PO Goyette had previously developed this information from a confidential source, from the many other similar investigations he had conducted. PO Goyette worked with a member of the UWPD’s Drone Unit to surveil the
improvised encampment on two occasions prior to the recovery operation to confirm the confidential source’s information. PO Goyette worked with the Burglary Crimes Unit from the City of Madison Police Department to develop the recovery operation, including writing an extensive Incident Action Plan (IAP).

With assistance from 12 UWPD personnel, including the UWPD’s Drone Unit and five members of MPD’s Burglary Crimes Unit, a search was conducted. Multiple people were contacted and identified. At least three were known bicycle thieves from previous UWPD cases. Multiple bicycles and bicycle parts were located; however, none were reported as stolen.

Over the past three years, PO Goyette’s persistence in investigating bicycle and e-scooter thefts has resulted in the identification and accountability of numerous suspects. His efforts in this recovery operation further showcased his
dedication to these investigations and his determination to recover stolen property for the victims.

Nominated by: Sgt. Ian Shaw

Security Supervisor Barnaba and Security Officer Carter responded with police to the Humanities building in response to a report of a wallet theft, in which the victim had an AirTag in her property, and the tracker was still showing as inside the Humanities building. Due to the size of the building and the locked doors, security officers assisted police in searching the property and granting access to locked areas. For nearly an hour, police and security staff searched the building for the suspect and for the property to no avail. All LEO resources cleared from the scene to respond to other calls — however, SO Carter and Supervisor Barnaba continued their search undeterred, finally locating the missing property in an unlocked locker inside Humanities.

Supervisor Barnaba and SO Carter truly went above and beyond their job duties by searching a massive, complex building for nearly two hours to reunite a victim with their property. They should be commended for their
tenacity and compassion in taking on a tedious and frustrating task and succeeding so that a member of our community could be reunited with their property.

Nominated by: SO Paula Schenning

On April 13, 2025, Basri was dispatched to SMI at around 12 p.m. regarding a two-year-old child who was stuck in a small locker. Tom heard the call and went to assist. After contacting the family, it was discovered they were actually in MSC. Barring necessary keys or codes, a PO was requested. Ryan responded and brought his set of pry tools. These were insufficient, so MFR was contacted. Within 30 minutes of being dispatched to the building, the child was out without injury. All three showed quick thinking and calm in a very stressful situation that could have gone very differently. This call, in general, was above and beyond what Security is expected to do every day, but the quick actions of all three, along with MFR, show exemplary service to our community.

SO Basri was the primary unit until PO was dispatched; he contacted the family, obtained additional information, including that they were in MSC, not SMI, briefed SO Collier when he arrived, and then escorted MFR from the University Ave entrance to the correct area of the basement in the building. SO Collier was an assisting unit; updated dispatch on the correct building, requested that PO bring pry tools if available, spoke with family to keep them calm, provided knowledge of possible keys to open the locker, and brought PO Bridges up to speed upon arrival. PO Bridges was the primary officer once dispatched; provided pry tools and spoke with the family (dad, mom, and sibling) and the child in the locker to keep them calm and gather more information, while actively working to open the locker.

Nominated by: SO Tom Collier

I was sent to Rennebohm Hall for report of ducklings down a storm drain. As I didn’t have a vehicle (due to Commencement operations), I asked Byron for help. He quickly found improvised materials (old, used T-posts from
Grounds) and came up with a method to safely and easily pull up and replace a square storm drain grate, a task that could be fairly risky in the wrong hands, so that the ducklings could be quickly extracted. I think his willingness to help,
attention to worker safety, and resourcefulness are worthy of recognition.

Nominated by: Det. Andy Nielsen

Nicole Odom came to UWPD in 2023 and has been an integral part of the Investigations Unit since day one. Odom has helped in countless investigations by providing investigative leads to detectives and identifying suspects in multiple cases. Odom continually goes out of her way to do extra work for the investigation unit, and without her assistance and enthusiasm, many cases would have remained closed or unsolved.

Odom has been a strong proponent of implementing an LPR camera system for UWPD. Odom worked on the policy group for the vendor and has been managing the LPR system for UWPD. Odom has completed countless queries using the LPR software to solve and provide investigative leads for UWPD detectives and outside agencies. Although the UWPD LPR cameras were not installed at the time of this submission, without Odom’s persistence and desire to make LPR successful at UWPD, this would have been a project that never amounted to anything.

Nominated by: Sgt. Hayden Kilcoyne

On August 30, 2025, both Officer Ferree and Officer Kaufman encountered, at separate times, the same suicidal individual at the UW Health Emergency Department. This individual had checked themselves into the ER for mental health treatment and was expressing suicidal ideations and wishes for suicide-by-cop. At two separate times in the night, the individual attempted to disarm PO Ferree’s Taser from his vest and later PO Kaufman’s firearm from his belt. The subject first approached Officer Ferree and grabbed onto the taser on his vest. Officer Ferree recognized the individual’s suicidal ideation, safely de-escalated, and separated himself from the individual. He later communicated with Hospital staff and learned of the subject’s ongoing mental health concerns and diminished mental capacity. Officer Ferree then relayed this information to the rest of the department.

Later in the evening, when Officer Kaufman saw the individual approaching him, he recognized the individual from Officer Ferree and recognized the mental health crisis the subject was experiencing. The subject reached for Officer Kaufman’s firearm on his belt. Officer Kaufman safely directed the individual away from his firearm and de-escalated the subject again. Although the subject was ultimately booked into the Dane County Jail, both officers advocated for crisis resources to help the individual find alternatives to jail.

Both Officer Ferree and Officer Kaufman encountered a suicidal subject who made attempts to disarm them in an attempt to provoke a dangerous response from the officers. Both Officer Kaufman and Officer Ferree recognized that
the individual was experiencing a mental health crisis. Neither officer overreacted and escalated an alarming encounter. They did not allow the subject to force them into a dangerous situation. Both officers de-escalated the
individual and then showed him compassion and advocated for connecting him to more appropriate mental health resources.

Both Officer Kaufman and Officer Ferree acted in an exceptionally calm, safe, and professional manner that prevented what could have easily escalated into a dangerous altercation.

Nominated by: Sgt. Jake Lepper

On the evening of Sept. 8, 2025, Sgts. Prescott and Mulvey were off duty and driving to dinner. They came upon a single-vehicle motor vehicle accident with two individuals attempting to gain access to the vehicle, unsuccessfully. The vehicle had struck a fence and a telephone pole. Sgts. Prescott and Mulvey quickly retrieved a medical kit and a window-breaking tool from Sgt. Prescott’s vehicle. Sgt Prescott observed a female who was slumped over and appeared to be unconscious and possibly overdosing. They gained access to the passenger side while Sgt Mulvey assisted with the driver’s side by moving the telephone wire away from the door. Upon entering the vehicle, the female became alert and began to fight with the people attempting to assist her. At this point, on-duty police and EMS arrived. Sgt’s Prescott and Mulvey assisted responders with removing the female from the vehicle and stabilizing her for medical attention. She was ultimately arrested for OWI and resisting.

The sergeants’ actions are commendable and go above and beyond what would be expected of officers who are not on duty. They put themselves at risk to help an individual who was potentially experiencing a medical emergency.

Nominated by: Sgt. Ian Shaw

SO Murseli was on vehicle patrol in the area of Langdon St and N Lake St when he observed a male subject riding a bicycle outbound on Langdon St. The individual lost control of his bicycle and crashed into a nearby utility box, striking
his forehead on the box. The individual then fell onto the roadway, striking his head again. The male subject had suffered a significant head injury and was in need of emergency medical intervention.

SO Murseli calmly and accurately reported the necessary information over the security radio channel, requesting EMS and officers to respond to the scene. Upon arrival, officers and EMS personnel stabilized the subject, who was then transported to UW Hospital for care. SO Murseli displayed vigilant observational skills during his patrol, immediately spotting the incident and recognizing it as emergent and needing immediate intervention. He utilized his training to calmly request resources and expedite the response of officers to the scene. SO Murseli also had to contend with an agitated group of onlookers who interfered during his radio transmissions.

SO Murseli was able to act calm and collected during an extremely stressful incident, displaying poise and professionalism deserving of recognition.

Nominated by: SS Theresa Waage

Security Officer Stephanie Kovach demonstrated exceptional awareness and sound judgment while on duty at the Chazen Art Museum.

Officer Kovach observed an individual entering the museum carrying a cased rifle, which is a violation of University Policy and state statute prohibiting firearms in campus facilities. Unaware of the policy, the museum staff had initially accommodated the individual. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Officer Kovach took immediate and appropriate action. She promptly contacted Supervisor Waage for guidance on next steps and ensured the appropriate notifications and procedures were followed.

A UWPD officer was dispatched to the scene, and the situation was handled calmly and professionally. The individual was educated on policy and law and departed without incident. Officer Kovach’s actions reflect a high level of vigilance, professionalism, and adherence to the University safety protocols. Her calm demeanor, quick thinking, and clear communication helped prevent a potentially high-risk situation. Her initiative ensured the safety of the museum visitors and staff, and upheld both campus and state regulations. In recognition of her attentiveness, sound decision-making, and commitment to campus safety, I respectfully recommend Security Officer Stephanie Kovach for this award.

Nominated by: Sgt. Meg Hamilton

PO Barrett Erwin hosted a full-capacity International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) course in September 2025. His efforts were truly above and beyond, including finding a site for the week-long course, preparing bicycles and ordering items, studying the curriculum, hauling equipment to the site, and then instructing for 40 hours. I had the privilege of attending this course and observing PO Erwin’s remarkable ability to teach a rigorous course daily and adapt his support/teaching/coaching style to the diverse array of personalities taking part. I heard praise all week from other attendees about PO Erwin’s ability to make new and challenging skills achievable through his patient, knowledgeable instruction.

I was incredibly proud to be part of this IPMBA course and to see our own trainer set the gold standard for teaching. All ten attendees passed IPMBA and became bike certified, which is an extraordinary success rate and speaks
volumes not only to PO Erwin’s preparation for the course but also his ability to deliver results. His efforts merit formal commendation.

Nominated by: PO Devan Arbay

During a special event detail and assigned to bicycle patrol, Officer Pierce Kaufman demonstrated exceptional initiative, courage, and professionalism. While patrolling the target area during ‘First 45’, Officer Kaufman observed a wanted and violent individual. Recognizing the danger this suspect posed and considering that they were actively wanted, Officer Kaufman immediately took action.

Remaining on his bicycle, Officer Kaufman followed the suspect and attempted to engage in conversation. When the suspect fled on his own bicycle, Officer Kaufman initiated a solo bicycle pursuit through several city blocks. Despite the challenge of navigating dense urban terrain, traffic conditions, and off-campus geography, Officer Kaufman maintained composure and situational awareness throughout, providing critical updates to incoming officers.

After issuing multiple clear and professional commands to stop that were ignored, Officer Kaufman successfully apprehended the suspect without injury to the suspect or bystanders. His quick decision-making, physical endurance,
and commitment to duty led directly to the safe capture of a dangerous, wanted individual.

Officer Kaufman’s actions exemplify the highest standards of UWPD. His dedication and proactive policing have made him a tremendous asset to patrol and the bike unit. For his exceptional initiative, courage, and professionalism while
performing his duties, Officer Kaufman is highly deserving of this award.

Nominated by: Sgt. Amanda Buckley & Sgt. Jake Lepper

In July 2025, a complex case began with a report that a missing bundle of copper, valued at over $34,000, had been stolen from a campus building. The initial information provided to police was minimal, with few initial investigative leads. Despite these challenges, Detective Andy Nielsen demonstrated exceptional initiative, persistence, and investigative skill in developing the case from its earliest stages to its successful conclusion.

Detective Nielsen immediately took ownership of the investigation, first obtaining a detailed description and photograph of the missing copper bundle. He conducted methodical follow-up with metal recycling facilities in Madison and also collaborated with the Madison Police Department to review Leads Online scrap records. Although these initial steps did not yield promising results, Detective Nielsen remained committed and continued to investigate and develop new leads.

Recognizing the need to fully understand access to the site of the theft, Detective Nielsen contacted numerous UW employees, including building managers, custodial supervisors, maintenance mechanics, and steamfitters. An initial
request for work orders for everyone who had worked in the affected room in 2025 yielded no results. After further refining the timeline and the pool of suspects, evidence was discovered. By September, Detective Nielsen had identified the possibility of an internal theft. He proactively gathered evidence and again coordinated with Madison Police to review scrap records.

Through this diligent review, Detective Nielsen identified an employee who had been regularly scrapping copper since the start of his employment at UW in 2019, resulting in over $80,000 in losses. Based on these findings, he developed a detailed incident action plan for surveillance. Detective Nielsen selected Officer Derek Johnson to carry out this plan and entrusted him with a demanding, important assignment.

Officer Johnson exemplified extraordinary dedication during the surveillance operation. He conducted prolonged, covert observation from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., often concealed in wooded terrain and at times lying prone in a thicket to remain undetected. His patience resulted in critical photographic evidence of the suspect transferring copper from a UW work truck into his personal vehicle, moving other UW property of value into his personal vehicle, and even cutting some of the stolen copper on-site in a parking lot before placing it into his personal vehicle. Officer Johnson’s work assisted Detective Nielsen with moving the case forward.

Throughout the investigation, Detective Nielsen maintained consistent coordination with campus partners and leadership. On October 8, after nearly three months of sustained investigative effort, Detective Nielsen successfully arrested and interviewed the primary suspect for thefts related to the surveillance operation. During this interview, he obtained additional information identifying a second employee involved in copper thefts. As a result, Detective Nielsen prepared and forwarded additional charges to the District Attorney’s Office for the second suspect for the original theft report.

Detective Andy Nielsen and Officer Derek Johnson’s exceptional performance and teamwork resulted in the solving of a complex theft investigation, the prevention of further losses, and the accountability of these two employees.
For their outstanding initiative, professionalism, and dedication, Detective Andy Nielsen and Officer Derek Johnson are highly deserving of the UWPD Excellent Service Award.

Nominated by: Sgt. Amanda Buckley

I am honored to nominate Digital Forensics Investigator Odom for the Excellent Service Award in recognition of her exemplary performance and technical expertise during a complex and sensitive child exploitation investigation for a partner police department. Her meticulous work directly identified critical evidence, uncovered previously unknown victimization, and significantly advanced a case now being prosecuted both locally and federally—potentially setting national precedent related to AI-generated child sexual exploitation material (CSAM).

Between June 2 and September 18, 2024, Investigator Odom undertook a demanding digital forensic workload involving seven mobile devices and one suspect iCloud extraction, consisting of material from two suspects and five child victims. Her responsibilities included data acquisition, in-depth forensic analysis, report generation, legal coordination, and continuous communication with investigators, victim advocates, and prosecutors.

While performing complete data acquisition and full forensic analysis of these devices, she identified 91 confirmed “Identified Child” CSAM files from known child victims, and detected extensive evidence of inappropriate communications with children at a local school, hidden media content, and uncovered AI-generated explicit material.

DFI Odom’s expertise guided investigators through complex digital evidence issues and ensured proper handling and interpretation of sensitive material. She was able to provide detailed reports outlining her findings to assist in the
investigation.

For her exceptional investigative work, coordination with another law enforcement agency, and role in a case of national legal significance affecting children, I recommend Digital Forensics Investigator Odom for the Excellent Service Award.

Nominated by: LEDS Dawn Veirs

Upon review of the call notes, the City of Madison Police Department received a report from a person saying they were attacked. Per the dispo, the victim and suspect had been arguing on a metro bus prior to the attack.

Due to the camera work of LED’s Smith and Linssen the suspect was located and arrested.

I received the following email:

“Chris and Jason did an outstanding job working cameras and wrangling officers for this AOA. We would have never located the suspect without their direction. This is by far not the first time this dynamic duo has saved the day. I appreciate them a ton and they deserve a big kudos.”

Nominated by: Rachel Laubmeier

I am proud to nominate Cathryn Mosher for an Excellent Service Award. She consistently delivers exceptional service with professionalism, care, and a quiet confidence that makes a meaningful difference every day.

She is a logistics wizard who expertly manages events and complex details, even when unexpected circumstances arise. No matter the challenge, she handles everything with ease and grace, never letting the behind-the-scenes work show. Her calm presence is the steady force that ensures success.

As a building manager, she is proactive and relentless in moving projects forward. A clear example is her work on the garage door upgrade project — a process laced with red tape and constant delays. Despite these obstacles, she kept her foot on the gas pedal, navigating challenges and maintaining momentum until progress was achieved. Her persistence and follow-through made a meaningful impact.

Her behind-the-scenes leadership, reliability, and dedication do not go unnoticed by those who work closely with her. I am grateful for her contributions and proud to nominate her for this well-deserved recognition.

Cathryn’s exceptional daily work to support the departments events and building manager duties.

Nominated by: SS Mark Barnaba

I received an email from Dispatch Supervisor Dawn Veirs regarding a call Security Officer Jordan Harrison was dispatched to on October 12, 2025. The call was for the report of water gushing at the intersection of Elm Street and Observatory Drive causing the area to flood. Upon his initial inspection of the immediate area, SO Harrison could not find the source of the water leak and requested to have dispatch send a plumber. However, Harrison went back to the scene to take a further look and discovered the source of the flooding was from two sprinkled heads from the nearby athletic fields that had become detached.

On his own accord, SO Harrison reattached the sprinklers back to the water line they had broken off from thus stopping the flooding and resolving the issue. For going above and beyond his normal responsibilities to resolve this issue, I am recommending Jordan Harrison for an Excellent Service Commendation.

Nominated by: Capt. Cherise Caradine

What began as a graffiti case in 2024 grew to 8 linked graffiti cases for UWPD over a 13-month period. Some reports of the graffiti were less destructive and others escalated to cause over $10,000 in damage. The graffiti touched all parts of campus and shared the same messages and undertones. Many graffiti cases go unsolved as they happen during hours of darkness, out of view of cameras and witnesses. With the determination of this team, these cases had a different outcome.

This team of investigators started looking at similarities in these cases to find each incident involved 2-5 people and they would arrive on bike, foot or roller blades. These cases all happened between the hours of 2am and 4am on different days of the week and at random intervals. Search warrants were written for cell tower information, hours of video were reviewed. While reviewing stills from video evidence, it was recognized that one of the suspects was wearing a hat that was familiar from a photo of an arrestee. That recognition led to puzzle pieces being put together. The team was certain they had identified 4 of the suspects but now had to build their separate cases.

Under the direction of Sgt Buckley, the team summarized and organized their cases. Bringing together the facts identifying the suspects and where they could be found. They strategically drew the 8 separate cases into one case to
present to the DAs office. It included pictures, power points, spread sheets, pages of summaries, and most importantly, the suspects. After hours of team meetings, meetings with the DA, the team developed Probable Cause and set to
execute search warrants for the suspects.

Nominated by: Sgt. Meg Hamilton

I had the honor of working alongside PO Bailey throughout 2025; we both moved from night shift to day shift, so we worked in hours of darkness and light together. I frequently tell PO Bailey that he is an “Officer of the People” – by which I mean, the community steps forward to talk to Rich when UWPD arrives on scene.

I want to reflect on that for a moment, acknowledging that we continue to police in fractured times. The community steps toward PO Bailey to talk. Rich is a powerful example of what good stewardship looks like. He embodies our core values, and is an emissary of trust and decency.

Here are a few examples of the myriad ways PO Bailey reflects our core values:

Integrity – PO Bailey is legendary for falling into significant investigations at the end of an already-lengthy shift (for example, while working a 15-hour patrol workday). He then types for as many hours as it takes to finish the report, and to submit it flawlessly. PO Bailey’s integrity as a person, and in the role of police officer, elevates us all to a higher level of trust and cohesion with the community we serve.

Trust & Respect – PO Bailey embodies compassionate, person-centered investigations. I have never seen him interrupt a person, and he gives his full attention to any human being speaking to him, regardless of the conditions. He shows every community member that he is listening, fully present, and paying attention to the details they want to share.

Empathy & Compassion – In addition to the guardianship, patience, and kindness Rich shows to the community and all of UWPD’s stakeholder partners, he also practices those virtues within the walls of the station. If your car is making a weird noise, you have probably asked Rich about it. If you are doing a home repair, you have probably run the project by Rich. If you had a frustrating day and could use an empathetic
listener, Rich is there.

Summary – if my family member, or me, needed to have police respond for any type of problem, I would be well served to have PO Bailey respond to the call. He represents the best of UWPD and embodies our core values, within the walls of the station and on every call for service he responds to.

Nominated by: Capt. Mark Silbernagel

Even though it was his first year in the position of Special Events Lieutenant and Director of Security for UW Athletics, he hit the ground running and rose to the challenge. He did a great job incorporating and building upon many of the solid practices, processes, and relationships there were in place. He further implemented new ideas and left his own mark even while continuing to learn and improve.

Here are just a few examples of the many accomplishments Juan achieved in 2025:

• In conjunction with the UWPD AVIS team, he helped usher in security improvements including bio-metric readers and stand-alone card readers at Athletic Department facilities
• In collaboration with the UWPD IT team and finance teams, implemented an electronic tracking system for Kohl Center and other special events to improve timely, efficient, and accurate reporting
• He worked with dispatch leadership to promote career development opportunities for staff working at the Kohl Center
• In support of the Athletic Department, he planned and coordinated police operations during the return of concerts (3 in one summer) to Camp Randall Stadium
• He planned for and was well prepared to execute the safety plans for football field rushes which occurred twice in 2025
• He collaborated with campus stakeholders to be well prepared to ensure safety and the protection of the rights of everyone involved at the many other planned and unplanned events that occurred on and around campus
• He led the recruitment, selection, and training of two new Athletic Department Liaison Officers and two new Personal Protection Team Members, while providing leadership experience to senior members of those teams

Juan also went above and beyond with his dedication of time and effort coaching, training, and mentoring his team and all other internal and external staff who worked special events. Routinely, Juan was the first to arrive the last leave for special events.

Nominated by: SS Evangelos Kostas

Melody consistently demonstrates an exceptional level of dedication, professionalism and initiative in her role as a Security Officer. She is thorough in her work and attentive to detail, routinely bringing forward ideas, observations and concerns that contribute positively to the safety and effectiveness of the Security Unit.

Melody is not hesitant to engage with others — whether addressing issues directly, communicating with staff or assisting the public- and she does so with confidence, respect and professionalism. Although she does not hold a lead position, Melody naturally takes on a mentorship role among her peers. She is always willing to step in to assist, help train newer officers and share her knowledge in a supportive and educational manner. She regularly volunteers to stay late or cover additional responsibilities when needed, demonstrating her strong work ethic and commitment to the team.

Melody’s personable demeanor, combined with her consistently professional conduct makes her a trusted and respected presence. Her positive attitude, reliability and dedication make her highly deserving of recognition.

On May 23, 2025, LED’s Aitchison and Ryan both processed calls reporting a male subject wielding a knife on East Campus Mall. The information was quickly dispatched to responding units by LED Aitchison, including an excellent description. Officers arrived and confirmed the male was brandishing a knife. The subject refused to comply with the officer’s orders and then fled on foot. LED Torgerson continued to relay information from responding units as promptly as it was given. LED continued to assist while processing other incoming calls.

Their coordinated effort and teamwork led to a safe apprehension within three minutes of the first call. 

Nominated by: Sgt. Ian Shaw & Former LED Kyleah Carruthers

On 02/18/2025, a male staff member at the Kohl Center suffered a heart attack, which resulted in them being pulseless and non-breathing for an extended period of time. CSC employee Paul N Staufiger was a co-worker of the patient and was notified of the incident shortly after it happened. Staufiger arrived at the scene and used his prior medical training as a nurse to begin delivering high-quality CCR to the patient, moving the subject off a seat onto the floor, allowing him to continue delivering compressions until he was relieved by PO Derek Austin and PO Ryan Conbear. Staufiger delivered compressions for approximately 3 minutes — Austin and Conybear took over until paramedics arrived.

The patient in this case regained a pulse while on-scene and was transported to the hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition. Based on my training and experience, I know that the timely delivery of high-quality chest compressions to a subject who suffers cardiac arrest drastically improves the chances that the subject will survive. I have no doubt that Staufiger’s timely delivery of CCR in this case directly contributed to him regaining a pulse and surviving this incident.

Nominated by: PO Barrett Erwin

A UW staff member was experiencing a mental health crisis and was seen climbing out of their 4th floor windown. Tina Nielson, Denise Patricia Hickey, and Lisa Tew all played a critical role in physically stopping them, de-escalating the situation, and giving the individual short, supportive, and repeated statements they could understand while in crisis. Their approach, demeanor, and use of short, supportive, and repetitive statements were exactly what the subject needed in the moment. I have rarely seen someone so perfect for the moment.

Nominated by: Sgt. Jake Lepper

I participated in the 2025 Cohort for the New Blue policing fellowship. As part of this project, we integrate a community partner throughout the process to assist us in developing and implementing our initiative, which must strive to improve our agency or the profession as a whole. After an exhaustive search for a LGBTQ+ focused partner who was willing to work with a police organization, Kez stepped up to the plate. Kez was involved with the Southeast WI LGBT Resource Center and has since been volunteering their time outside of any formal organization. They were involved in every level of the fellowship, from attending meetings to brainstorming solutions to participating in a final presentation. Kez assisted in drafting materials and in the creation of our solution.

In 2026, as a result of this partnership, all new police officers across the state of Wisconsin will be trained in LGBTQ+ issues and respectful interactions with people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. This will be the first such curriculum for police officers in the state. In addition, Kez and I will be hosting a webinar through the Wisconsin DOJ for police leaders and other stakeholders on how to foster an inclusive and progressive organization for queer community members. Kez’s efforts have undoubtedly had an impact that will carry forward statewide for an entire generation of police officers, and this effort is to be commended. This effort will make significant progress in improving the often-strained relationships between the police and the LGBTQ+ community.

Nominated by: Sgt. Amanda Buckley

I respectfully submit this recommendation for UW Athletics Operations Staff, Michael Crawford, for a UWPD Chief’s Award in recognition of his assistance and critical role he played during a complex homicide investigation.

His actions aided in the immediate notification and coordination of the response to this incident. His efforts assisted UWPD in swiftly securing the chaotic scene, allowed UWPD personnel to begin rendering aid to the victim, and aided the investigation that led to the suspect’s apprehension.

For the reasons I will list below, I strongly and proudly recommend Michael Crawford for the UWPD Chief’s Award. As the initial reporter of this incident, Mr. Crawford prompted an immediate response from UWPD. Mr. Crawford,
while working his overnight duties in Camp Randall Stadium Command, noticed the altercation between the suspect and the victim occurring at the AO Lot gate. Mr. Crawford called UWPD and provided crucial initial information to
UWPD Dispatch. Mr. Crawford was also the first individual to adjust security cameras in the area to provide a real-time update of the incident and created some of the clearest video evidence collected in this investigation.

After observing the altercation on video and calling UWPD for help, Mr. Crawford notified BEST security personnel and the supervisor for additional assistance. As the suspect fled from approaching officers, Mr. Crawford relayed
directions of travel to UWPD Dispatch, which was then used to begin to set a perimeter and begin a search. Mr. Crawford’s prompt actions and assistance in this investigation undoubtedly aided in the successful apprehension of
this suspect.

Nominated by: Dir. Brett Van Ess

In December 2024, around final exams, a national law enforcement entity notified UWPD about a threatening social media post, with an image of a student inside a UW classroom from that same day. After UWPD determined
there was no immediate danger, over the next several months, Dean Schmidt and her Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards worked with the student to provide options for non-criminal case resolution. In coordination with multiple university offices, Dean Schmidt led in-person sessions and a committee hearing to balance maintaining campus safety standards with safeguarding student rights.

This case reflected Dean Schmidt’s broader commitment to safety, accountability, and student support for university community members. In addition to her multiple responsibilities in Student Affairs, Dean Schmidt joined the university’s Threat Assessment Team in January 2020. During the next four-and-a-half years, she led efforts to resolve disputes and supported over 200 cases that the team considered to enhance campus safety. Throughout many challenging issues, Dean Schmidt maintained her commitment to safety while also upholding student rights. Considering this specific case and larger contributions, I nominate Dean of Students Tonya Schmidt for the UWPD Chief’s Award for Exceptional Performance of Duty.

Nominated by: AC Jason Whitney & Capt. Mark Silbernagel

Jessica is an employee at the Occupational Health office through FPM. Jessica was asked to assist us with researching ways to improve our hearing protection on the range. Jessica worked with Lt. Lopez, PO Grudzinski, and PO Bridges to research, evaluate, and successfully propose short-barreled rifles with suppressors that are proven to reduce hearing damage and increase accuracy by improving stabilization and shock absorption. Saving additional trauma. Jessica and our staff attended range days, collected data, and spoke with our officers about this issue. Jessica provided us with several options for hearing protection and the best ways to move forward, and encouraged employees to get their hearing tested.

Jessica was also instrumental in assisting with the research for UWPD to purchase suppressors for our rifles. Again, attending multiple range days, testing and reporting on the results, and creating a very extensive report that helped UWPD decide how best to move forward.

Lt. Lopez coordinated the pricing and purchasing process for all weapons and additional equipment while concurrently overseeing the decommissioning of all old equipment. This required a great deal of organization, attention to detail, financial trustworthiness, and integrity. In addition, Lt. Lopez, PO Grudzinski, and PO Bridges all helped with the training required for the successful deployment, qualification, and maintenance of this equipment for all sworn staff.

Nominated by: AC Jason Whitney

Julie is a member of the central campus records department and routinely assists UWPD records unit with open records requests. Julie brings years of experience and expertise to the team and regularly assists UWPD. Many of our high-profile or complex cases she has assisted with. Without Julie, our team would not run as smoothly as it does. Julie was also instrumental in working with UWPD staff to create a records training for law enforcement and hosted a class in 2025.

Nominated by: Dir. Kevin Sopha & AC Jason Whitney 

Kevin Sopha and Ian Hundt, working with contractor Reed Miller, were instrumental in completing project 1829. Project 1829 was the mass camera replacement project for the UW-Madison campus.

The day-to-day coordination with the contractor, the shipment of cameras to UWPD, and programming were a monumental task. Kevin and Ian did not take time off and worked every day to make sure we stayed on track.

The project timeline was estimated at two years. Through hard work and dedication, the team completed the project in just nine months. Not only did this save our department a great deal of time, but it also saved roughly $1 million — funds that could be redirected elsewhere. This could not have been done without this group’s extensive knowledge of UW-Madison’s campus and UWPD’s security camera locations.

Nominated by: Dir. Brett Van Ess

During late 2024 and early 2025, UWPD received multiple reports from a subject who made illogical claims about colleagues, suggesting deeper issues. During this period, staff from the Office of Human Resources (OHR)-Workforce Relations, including Employment Relations Director Megan Prost, Employment Relations Manager Kathleen Smith, and Employment Relations Investigator Kelley Steiner, provided support to numerous impacted employees. They also worked with UWPD to coordinate off-campus support for the subject.

Unfortunately, the subject’s behavior escalated and arrived at a staffer’s home, leading to their arrest. Around this time, the subject also made comments on social media, which made staffers fearful of possible violence.

Subsequently, Megan, Kelley, and Kathleen delivered workplace support and assisted UWPD threat intervention efforts. They led the review of over 500 emails, 150 videos, and 40 audio recordings—some of which were more than 30 minutes long. The team’s efforts supported processes related to court orders, criminal charges, state and federal regulations, university administrative procedures, grievances, appeals, HR investigations, and—critically—numerous actions to support and maintain the subject’s rights. The subject eventually concluded the court process and is no longer affiliated with the university.

Overall, OHR-Workforce Relations collaborated with UWPD on this matter for over 14 months, as part of a broader effort to support community safety, workplace relations, and employee rights.

Nominated by: Capt. Cherise Caradine

On April 26, 2025, during the 43rd annual Crazylegs run on campus, a participant suffered a medical emergency on Observatory Drive at Babcock Dr. Fellow runners James Gentry, Breanna Lee, and Caitlin Crandall were all on scene immediately, started chest compressions, and ensured the individual had an open airway.

Det Van Haren was on his nearby traffic assignment when he was told a runner had fallen to the ground. He immediately began assessing the patient, radioed for assistance, and continued CPR with help from other runners.

Sgt Brown was mobile on the west end of the course and drove swiftly to the intersection where the down patient was now pulseless and not breathing. Sgt Brown grabbed his AED, attached it to the patient, and advised to shock the patient. Det Van Haren and Sgt Brown took control of the scene and the patient and communicated with responding paramedics. Paramedics advised that the patient had a pulse prior to being transported to the UW Emergency Room.

Nominated by: Reed Erickson

The UWPD Emergency Management Unit nominates the awarding of the UWPD Chief’s Award to Tammy Starr for her exemplary assistance and support to guarantee the success of the annual Wisconsin Collegiate Conference on Emergency Management. The conference is attended by people from many organizations including the Universities of Wisconsin and other institutes of higher education, local and state officials, and non-governmental and private sector organizations. Tammy’s support is critical in establishing the registration website, tracking registrant reservation statuses, and managing registration funds. Her responsiveness is exceptional. She created the registration website in less than 24 hours and immediately responded to emails and phone calls, providing timely recommendations and support.

Tammy hosted the conference registration website, collected payments, and sent payment reminders as required. This allowed the EM unit to focus on the planning, coordination, and execution of the conference. She performed beyond expectations with her superb customer service. The registration website works best with UW-Madison registrants, and guest registrants sometimes experience challenges with logon and registration. The registration window closed 14 days prior to the conference start date, and we received a late registration request one day prior to the conference. Tammy made sure that was accomplished. She quickly responded to assist with all issues and ensured they were successful. She answered all questions politely and with respect.

Tammy collected payments and cancelled payments as required to ensure the EM unit had the most accurate information, and she coordinated directly with the UWPD Financial Manager to transfer the funds. This year provided an additional challenge with the transition to Workday processes, and Tammy was instrumental in ensuring funds were reconciled and transferred successfully.

Tammy Starr is well deserving of the UWPD Chief’s Award. Her exceptional service and dedication have guaranteed the success of the Wisconsin Collegiate Conference on Emergency Management for many years. There were 54 attendees and 11 cancellations for the most recent conference, and all were satisfied with the registration process due to Tammy’s assistance. Tammy has supported other UWPD events with similarly exceptional performance.

Nominated by: MEDM LeAnn Krieg

​On Jan. 22nd, shortly before 11pm, Dane County Communications received a 911 call from someone who fell through the ice into Lake Mendota. LEDs Linssen and Salvador heard the dispatched call on the radio and immediately went to the cameras to see if they could locate anything. They spotted what appeared to be someone’s head just above the water line off Picnic Point. LED Linssen made phone contact with the dispatchers at Dane County Communications and updated them with the location and distance from the shoreline.

The responders from MFR advised that had it not been for the camera work, he would not have been found in time. He was in the water for approximately 19 minutes.

Nominated by: Sgt. Jake Lepper

​On the evening of November 22, 2025, dispatch received a call that a suicidal male subject had stated he was going to attempt to die by suicide by walking into Lake Mendota. On this particular evening, it was approximately 40 degrees. While searching the area, officers located the subject approximately waist-deep in the water near the Porter Boat House. Officers attempted to engage in dialogue. The subject continued to go deeper into the water, placing himself at risk of hypothermia and drowning.

The subject eventually was up to his chest in the water. UWPD officers removed their equipment and entered the cold water to return the subject safely to shore. By taking lifesaving initiative, officers prevented an individual in crisis from potentially drowning due to cold lake conditions and suicidal ideology. They were able to transport this individual to a hospital for medical and mental health support. They acted knowingly and directly to save a life by entering the water and deserve a Life Saving Award for their efforts.

Nominated by: PO Jeff Kirchman (Lt. Boardman added PO Kirchman to this nomination)

​Lt Boardman & PO Kirchman responded to a critical incident involving a patient who had left University Hospital against medical advice following a suicide attempt. When the individual was contacted by UWPD, they expressed intent to jump from the north ledge of Parking Lot 63 — a 25-foot drop to pavement below and the site of at least one previous fatality. PO Kirchman was with the individual as they walked through the parking garage, intending to reach the edge of the ledge. PO Kirchman kept a dialog going with the individual, while Lt. Boardman was responding up the ramp from another direction, the patient did not see.

As the subject reached the waist-high wall and leaned over the edge, Lt Boardman made immediate physical contact, pulling the individual back from the ledge and moving him to a safe location.

Both responding officers’ actions likely saved a life that day and deserve recognition with the UWPD Lifesaving Award.

Nominated by: Former Lt. Adam Boardman

​Sgt. Shaw and PO Feree responded to the Lot 75 elevator lobby for a report of a pulseless non-breathing patient. Officers worked with medical staff to apply an AED, deliver compressions, and deliver a single shock. The patient regained consciousness while being moved to the ED.

PO Bond brought the AED, Sgt. Shaw applied the AED pads and delivered a shock when advised, and PO Ferree delivered compressions.

Nominated by: Sgt. Meg Hamilton

​On March 17, 2025, at 5:14am on a busy Sunday, Officer Pierce Kaufman was at UW Hospital when security alerted him to a potential suicidal person on the American Family Children’s Hospital ramp. He sprinted to Lot 63 and found the person with one leg over the ledge. Officer Kaufman introduced himself by first name and calmly said, “I care about you,” asking permission to step closer.

Through active, compassionate listening, he built trust with this person, asking about their interests like gaming and cooking, and allowing them to speak freely about their suicidal thoughts in an open dialogue. Officer Kaufman responded to this person with empathy, compassion, and encouragement, gaining their trust, letting them know they deserve the help, let’s get you help, reassuring them, and the person voluntarily stepped away from the ledge. Officer Kaufman then walked with this person down to the ER to help get them the help they so rightfully deserved.

Meanwhile, LED Emily Salvador was the sole dispatcher, calmly locating the person on camera, coordinating fire and police response, and managing several high-priority calls—including from the family of a gunshot victim—all without missing a beat.

Nominated by: Former Lt. Adam Boardman

​Officer Kirchman has been working to get as many staff and residents as possible trained in CPR, including staff at Eagle’s Wing. Eagle’s Wing provides child care and educational programs for the University Apartment’s community. This has required significant effort, and he is making amazing progress. While working in his community in February 2025, the staff was able to put these skills to use when an infant began choking and stopped breathing. Staff started life-saving efforts, and Officer Kirchman took over moments later.

Using the same skills he has been teaching, Officer Kirchman delivered back-blows to the infant, and the infant resumed breathing. This was an amazing team save, with staff from Eagle’s Wing working alongside Officer Kirchman to save the infant’s life.

Nominated by: Sup. Patrick Bucci

Andy Schwartz and Ian Hundt collaborated to develop a new mapping system within Milestone for use during gamedays, concerts, and other events. The map continues to be used in day-to-day operations.

The previous method of camera operation required that operators have a baseline level of knowledge on camera placement and coverage areas. This restricted the number of available camera operators and slowed down the process
of adjusting camera views quickly and accurately mid-event.

The map built by Ian and Andy does not require any campus knowledge to access cameras or a range of camera options. Users can navigate an intuitive map that uses POIs, such as high-traffic intersections and buildings, allowing an operator to jump between cameras on campus without manual control. This has allowed a wider range of camera operators with significantly less overhead in training, and an easier experience for all operators during the event.

Nominated by: Dir. Tracey Berman (Awards Committee added Berman to the nomination)

Over the past year, the UWPD Finance and HR team has demonstrated outstanding professionalism and resilience while leading the successful implementation of Workday for UWPD.

This complex transition required not only technical expertise but also an unwavering commitment to ensuring financial and HR stability for our department. The teams worked diligently to navigate the challenges of a new system, troubleshoot issues, and develop innovative solutions that keep our operations running smoothly.

Beyond implementation, the Finance Team continues to improve and optimize the system daily. They proactively identify and report issues—often before Workday officials on campus are even aware of them—demonstrating their
deep knowledge and vigilance. Their ability to catch discrepancies, such as payments that appear to have been processed but have not actually been completed, safeguards UWPD’s financial integrity and prevents operational disruptions.

On the HR side of the house, the team’s quick learning and strong problem-solving skills were essential in resolving complex timesheet questions and addressing urgent hiring needs. Their ability to troubleshoot and implement effective solutions enabled the HR team to hire more than 100 external crowd-control officers shortly after the Workday transition, supporting UWPD special-events operations during a critical period. Their initiative, resilience, and commitment to service excellence not only ensured a smooth transition but also strengthened our HR operations for the future.

Nominated by: LEDS Dawn Veirs

LED’s Salvador, Aitchison, and Ryan have been working to enhance and expand our 911 Public Education program within our community. Each of the LEDs has established contacts with university partners, developed and coordinated presentations, and received excellent feedback after each. This has resulted in them being invited to speak to Transportation Services staff meeting, Union Building Managers meeting, and coordinating Safety Day at Eagle’s Wing child care. They have adjusted their sleep schedules, come in on their days off, and modified their personal time to make these events happen. Most recently, LED Ryan presented to the FP&M night crew. This Pub Ed team is working hard to build bridges and connections within our UW community, which I believe is at the heart of community service.

Nominated by: LEDM LeAnn Krieg

In late spring we were given the go-ahead to purchase new portable radios for the Department. Our current radios were end-of-life, and we had the funding in that fiscal year to make the purchase. This was a large, complex project that
needed to be done quickly. LEDS Gonring set out putting together spreadsheets of current equipment (we not only needed to replace radios, but speaker mics, antennas, holsters, programming cables, multiple types of earpieces, rack
chargers, and desk chargers as well) and what we would need to replace everything. He worked with the vendor on costs and set up the spreadsheet to automatically update as we changed quantities and costs, making it easier to track
where we were and what we could purchase to stay in our budget. He also coordinated a test group to work out any questions or concerns prior to going “live”.

We met regularly to discuss what accessories were a priority and what we could hold off on, along with creating a transition plan and other aspects of the project. LEDS Gonring worked on acquiring and managing storage, training, and
programming (the radios have additional options for programming that we were able to take advantage of). LEDS Gonring programmed the radios when they arrived and a distribution and training plan was created., ensuring everyone
had opportunities to get an overview of how the new radios worked. LEDS Gonring continues to follow-up as needed to problem solve issues and work with the vendor as needed.

Nominated by: AC Jason Whitney

PO Bridges and PO have taken the initiative to revamp much of the logistics within our firearms division. From outdated paperwork to outdated firearms and equipment, they worked to streamline our processes and clean up our
inventory. This is work that is above and beyond their normal day-to-day activities. But without their dedication, this work doesn’t get done, leaving UWPD vulnerable in a high-risk area. They created new documents, processes for
purchases, approvals, and inspections, and communicated with the department on how to follow the new guidelines.

Nominated by: Sgt. Ian Shaw

For years, Officer Grudzinski has served as Training Unit Police Officer, and during that time, he has elevated and reimagined the role and the quality of training received by UWPD personnel.  PO Grudzinski is a seasoned firearms and defensive tactics instructor and has contributed his invaluable expertise when instructing. He brings practical understanding and real-world applications to his lesson plans.

Officer Grudzinski also coordinates the planning and logistics on the back end, which includes the detailed upkeep of training records, shuttling equipment and personnel to numerous trainings, coming in after hours to coordinate nighttime qualifications, and more.

He has mentored and given one-on-one time to countless new officers, understanding that his contributions in the training role extend beyond planning lessons and running drills.
In addition, Officer Grudzinski is consistently the first person to raise a hand to assist with unplanned special operations and events, including protest response both on campus and alongside outside agency partners.

In my time as a police officer, I have served alongside many talented, intelligent, empathetic public servants. Officer Grudzinski is the rare officer who is as driven as he is kind, as skilled as he is humble, and as joyful to be around as he is committed to the safety and betterment of his fellow officers. The UWPD training unit would not be the high-functioning unit that it is without his consistent commitment to his fellow personnel, and I am extremely thankful to have served with him.

Nominated by: Sup. Mark Barnaba

Security Officer Johnson has been an extremely valuable member on second shift and as a security training officer. He has taken on the majority of the training hours in the previous two training cycles, amassing more than 500 hours.

Security Officer Johnson was called upon numerous times to train additional security officer trainees when no other training officers were available – he never complained about those additional assignments. He was also tasked multiple times to provide additional instruction to trainees who needed extra attention – and with his mentorship and work, he was able to turn the situation around to a positive outcome.

Security Officer Johnson consistently receives positive feedback from his trainees, and his experience that he has passed on to new security officers has been invaluable. He continues to be a positive role model and an example of how to be a team player – all while maintaining the highest professional standards set by the department.

Security Officer Johnson is my “go-to” member on second shift, and I have 100% confidence in his ability to handle any type of call for service, as well as his ability to assume the role of a leader in the absence of a supervisor.

Nominated by: Law Enforcement Dispatch Supervisor Dawn Veirs

I’m fortunate to lead an incredible team of dispatchers—truly the best group I’ve worked with in my career. This year, I wanted to recognize someone whose growth and contributions stand out.

If you’ve worked with Chris Linssen, you know you’re likely to be greeted with sarcasm and a joke. But behind that humor is someone who, when it’s time to work, flips a switch—and becomes an exceptional first responder.

Chris is known for going above and beyond, especially with his camera work. In one case, his initiative helped officers quickly identify and arrest a suspect in a felony theft. In another, he played a key role in helping locate a victim who may not have survived otherwise.

This year, I challenged Chris to step into the GDOC Communicator role—an environment that demands professionalism and precision. He delivered.

Chris also demonstrates outstanding composure under pressure. During a major incident at Memorial Union, he was working alone—managing multiple calls, coordinating with officers, securing the building, and documenting everything. He handled it seamlessly.

Beyond his technical skills, Chris brings something equally important—compassion. He has a genuine ability to connect with people – treating them with respect, patience, and care. That’s not something you can teach—it comes from who he is.

Chris’s skill, professionalism, and heart make him an outstanding dispatcher and an invaluable member of our team.

Nominated by: Dir. Tracey Berman

Petra has become a trusted advisor and strategic leader within our organization. She took ownership of the challenges associated with Workday—leading training across all three shifts to ensure every employee had access to critical resources in our 24/7 environment.

When she identified a gap in scheduling functionality, Petra didn’t wait for a solution—she created one. She developed a process and personally ensured schedules were entered, preventing any impact on staff. That level of ownership is what sets her apart.

Petra leads with empathy and integrity. She is a steady, trusted resource for employees and plays a key role in conflict resolution, helping foster a more respectful and collaborative workplace.

Her leadership is especially evident in her work as our Division Disability Representative, where she has managed more than 100 complex cases this year alone—balancing policy, professionalism, and compassion in every interaction.

Petra is also a strong collaborator and a driver of continuous improvement. She brings people together, identifies solutions, and consistently raises the bar for our organization.