While the public often encounters law enforcement through headlines, court reports, and emergency calls, the stories shared during May's awards ceremony painted a larger picture of the work performed by law enforcement professionals across Monroe County.
Behind every award was a story of law enforcement professionals helping people. A deputy checking on a resident who hadn't been seen in days. Officers working tirelessly to protect victims of abuse. Dispatchers and correctional staff responding in moments when seconds mattered. Teams of deputies, troopers, detectives, and supervisors coming together to bring dangerous situations to a safe conclusion or taking dangerous criminals and substances off the streets.
Much of this work happens quietly and without fanfare. It takes place on lonely country roads, in family homes during times of crisis, inside the jail, and during countless calls for service that people in the community may never know about. Yet those moments often have a lasting impact on the lives of the people involved.
The men and women recognized during the ceremony viewed their actions as part of the job. Yet their dedication reflects more than that: a commitment to the people of Monroe County.
The awards presented in May celebrated exceptional moments. They highlighted the everyday mission of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office — protecting lives, supporting the community, and working together to make Monroe County a safer place to live, work, and raise a family.
About the Awards
The Awards Committee shall conduct a thorough review of the incident that led to the award recommendation to ensure that all deserving members or citizens are considered.
A majority vote from the Awards Committee is required to approve any award recommendation. If there is a tie, the Sheriff will be the tiebreaker. If a member of the Awards Committee is nominated for an award, they will not vote or be present during the committee's review of the nomination.
After careful review, the Awards Committee will either approve the recommended award, approve a lesser or higher award, or disapprove the award. The Awards Committee shall forward their decision to the Sheriff for his/her approval.
Level 1 Awards:
Life Saving Award
Lifesaving Award-awarded to a Department Member in appreciation for a prompt and unselfish act of rendering aid and assistance to another human being that resulted in saving a life. (1st award - medal, ribbon, and certificate. Subsequent Lifesaving awards
- certificate and oak leaf cluster)
Event date: 3-18-2026
Deputy Joe Merkel
Deputy Merkel received a welfare check call from a concerned family member who said they hadn't heard from their family member, and this was very unusual. Deputy Merkel responded to the residence and noticed that there had been recent snowfall, but did not observe fresh tracks from the individual's vehicle or fresh human or dog tracks coming from the residence. Deputy Merkel looked through the window of the residence and saw three dogs that appeared very agitated. There was also a sizable amount of dog feces and urine on the floor of the residence. Deputy Merkel continued searching the property and found two sheep that had not been given feed or water for what appeared to be more than 24 hours. One sheep was found with its head stuck in a fence, trying to reach fresh grass. Deputy Merkel also checked the mailbox and saw that the mail had not been collected recently. Putting this all together, Deputy Merkel believed that individual was in the residence and suffering from a medical emergency.
Deputy Merkel forced entry into the residence and found the individual in a bedroom located in the basement. He was very sick and near death. Deputy Merkel called for an ambulance and assisted in life saving measures. Ambulance staff stated that the individual was very weak and in need of serious medical attention. If the individual had not been located, he most likely would have died from his illness or dehydration. Deputy Merkel's prompt actions ensured that Emergency Medical Aid was provided and ultimately saved a life.
Level 2 Awards:
Award of Excellence
Award of Excellence - awarded to a department member who performs a particularly noteworthy act or service based on a determined and intelligent performance. (ribbon and certificate awarded.) "Department member" is defined as any member of the department, sworn or non-sworn, in good standing with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. In any calendar year, a member will not be eligible to receive both the award of
excellence and the exemplary officer award. Members who qualify for more than one award of excellence will be eligible for the exemplary officer award.
Deputy Joe Merkel
Event date: 2-13-2026
Deputy Merkel was made aware of a Temporary Restraining Order violation along with a domestic violence related incident. Deputy Merkel responded to the residence with other officers and made contact with the suspect, who was subsequently arrested. Deputy Merkel went beyond just the facts in front of him and took the time and energy to dig into the ongoing abuse that was occurring. The depth and quality of his report was exceptional, which led to numerous felony and misdemeanor charges being filed by the District Attorney's Office. Deputy Merkel's investigation into this incident provided the District Attorney's office with the information they needed to seek a high cash bond ($50,000) in this case to protect the victim.
Deputy Merkel's work didn't stop after his initial contact with the victim. He continued to stay in contact with the victim and gather necessary evidence in this case, as well as assisting her with a safety plan. Deputy Merkel's work on this case was not only praised by this agency, but also from the District Attorney's Office when they were speaking with the victim. The victim was very grateful for the investigative work Deputy Merkel conducted and felt like he really cared for her.
Meritorious Arrest Citation
Meritorious Arrest Citation- awarded to a Police Officer where the report and record shall be clearly indicative of outstanding and exceptional employment of trained police investigative and interrogative skill, ability and intensity in the arrest and clearance of felony category crime(s). The conduct and professionalism of such a member shall take into onsideration the complexity of the crime, not merely the nature of it; the
officer's powers of observation; prowess; knowledge of criminal activity; and/or tactical approach to a crime in progress detected to a sworn member(s) strategic field patrol mode (ribbon and certificate awarded).
Sgt. Nate Heffner
Event date: 11-16-2024
Sergeant Heffner conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 90, of a vehicle that was traveling close to 100 mph. During the course of the stop, Sergeant Heffner detected marijuana shake on the floorboard and began an interview with the driver. The driver fled from the deputies on foot, then in his vehicle, and then on foot after he crashed his vehicle. Sgt. Heffner apprehended the suspect and backtracked his trail and found 4 kilograms (8.82lbs) of cocaine.
Unit Shift Acknowledgment
Event date: 8-17-2025
Sheriff Wes Revels
Chief Deputy Chris Weaver
Sergeant Marcus Badger
Sergeant Rylan Corcoran
Detective David Heckman
Deputy Blade Weber
Deputy Nicole Ginter
Deputy Philip Puent
Telecommunicator Briar Hering
Telecommunicator Kevin Jorgensen
Deputy Hosch responded to a disturbance at a residence where a suspect was actively threatening innocent parties. Upon arrival, Deputy Hosch placed himself between the suspect and the potential victims, prioritizing their safety over his own. During the encounter, Deputy Hosch was injured by the suspect but continued to engage, successfully separating the involved parties and preventing further harm. His decisive actions, courage, and selfless commitment to protecting others directly contributed to safeguarding the lives of those present.
Deputy Mihai David, Sergeant Nathaniel Heffner, Sergeant Marcus Badger, and Chief Deputy Christopher Weaver assisted in the investigation and coordinated efforts to locate a fleeing suspect. Deputy David successfully located the suspect and initiated a vehicle pursuit. The suspect was disabled by a spike deployment and fled on foot into a wooded area. Deputy David, Sgt. Heffner, Sgt. Badger and K9 Rebel tracked the suspect through the woods. Following a successful K9 deployment, the suspect was apprehended and taken into custody without further incident.
Deputy Philip Puent provided assistance in the ongoing investigation and contributed during the latter stages of a vehicle pursuit involving a fleeing suspect. His support and coordinated actions with other responding deputies directly aided in bringing the incident to a safe resolution, resulting in the suspect being taken into custody.
Deputy Nicole Ginter remained with Deputy Hosch at the hospital following his injury to ensure his safety, wellbeing, and continued support during treatment. In addition, Deputy Ginter provided valuable assistance during the closing moments of the pursuit of the fleeing suspect, contributing to the successful resolution of the incident.
Collectively, these deputies and command staff members demonstrated exceptional commitment to public safety, selflessness in the protection of others, and the highest standards of service to the community. Their actions directly ensured the safety of innocent parties, the apprehension of a dangerous suspect, and the wellbeing of a fellow deputy.
Level 3 Award:
Unit Shift Acknowledgement
Awarded to an entire shift, unit, department or team for the same parameters as set above for individual shift acknowledgment.
Unit Shift Acknowledgment
Event date: 10-6-2025
Chief Deputy Chris Weaver
Detective John Brose
Detective David Heckman
Deputy Ethan Young
Deputy Nicole Ginter
Trooper Cody Digre
Deputy Ginter coordinated with Detective Heckman regarding a known drug dealer who was suspected of traveling from the Wisconsin Dells area. Using information obtained through the Flock camera system, the suspect's vehicle was located. Deputy Ginter observed the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop after confirming the suspect did not possess a valid driver's license.
During the initial contact, the suspect fled the scene in his vehicle. Deputy Ginter and Detective Brose established a perimeter and maintained visual awareness of the suspect's vehicle. With assistance from Deputy Young, Chief Deputy Weaver, Detective Heckman, and Trooper Digre, the vehicle was located, secured, and cleared following a K9 free air sniff, which indicated the presence of narcotics.
The suspect fled on foot into a wooded area. Deputy Ginter tracked and located the suspect, successfully taking him into custody without further incident. A search of the area revealed a discarded bag that the suspect had thrown during his flight. The bag was recovered by Deputy Ginter and found to contain approximately four pounds of methamphetamine.
Deputy Ginter's proactive work, coordination with other law enforcement personnel, and decisive actions led directly to the apprehension of a known drug dealer and the seizure of a substantial quantity of illegal narcotics.
Unit Shift Acknowledgment
Event date: 10-27-2024
Corrections Sergeant Blake Scholl
Corrections Officer Katerina Immormino
Correctional Officer Katerina Immormino was made aware that an inmate was having a severe allergic reaction. CO Immormino was the one who picked up the intercom call from another inmate and immediately responded to Pod 3 after hearing about the situation. CO Immormino responded quickly to check on the inmate. Once CO Immormino made contact, she immediately began to assess the situation and noticed his face was turning red, and he was not breathing well.
CO Immormino verified that the inmate was having an allergic reaction and what he was allergic to. She then radioed that she needed an EPI-PEN to Pod 3 and turned the inmate onto his side, so that he would not choke on his spit. CO Immormino stayed with the inmate to make sure he was okay and continued to monitor him while Emergency Medical Services were summoned.
Co Immormino delivered an EPI-Pen, and instant relief could be noticed with the inmate. CO Immormino and Sergeant Blake Scholl escorted the inmate to the bottom of Pod 3 and into a wheelchair to meet with EMS in booking. The inmate was transported to the hospital, where he received treatment for his severe allergic reaction.
Unit Shift Acknowledgment
Event date: 8-26-2025
Corrections Officer Katerina Immormino
Correctional Officer Colton Riffle was delivering items to Pod 3 when he noticed an inmate clutching his throat and bent over. CO Riffle approached the inmate and knew from previous incidents that he had a severe allergic reaction to apples. CO Riffle immediately radioed for assistance for an allergic reaction. CO Ellie Kowitz, CO Quintin Smith, and CO Katerina Immormino responded to assist with an EpiPen. CO Immormino delivered the EpiPen to the inmate while the other COs coordinated with Emergency Medical Services. The inmate was transported to booking and then to the hospital, where he received treatment for his severe allergic reaction.
Individual Shift Acknowledgment
Individual Shift Acknowledgment - awarded to a department member for performance that has gained the notice of the shift commanders through some effort that reflects skills exemplified in our mission statement, but in and of itself, could be deemed as part of the general job description of our employees. The intention of this acknowledgement is to indicate a "job well done". The actions of the recipients) will be documented on the award recommendation form.
Individual Shift Acknowledgment
Event date: 3-19-2026
Sergeant Nate Heffner
Sergeant Nate Heffner observed a traffic violation on Interstate 90 and initiated a traffic stop. Sergeant Heffner applied his knowledge of criminal interdiction and strong observational skills to identify indicators of criminal activity. He conducted a thorough investigation and interview of the suspect, ultimately advancing the investigation through effective questioning and attention to detail. Sergeant Heffner located 145.5 grams (.32lbs) of cocaine, which lead to the arrest of the driver for Possession with intent to deliver cocaine >40g, which is a Felony.
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