16-05-2025
La Crosse County remembers its fallen police officers
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – Each year, police departments in La Crosse County host a La Crosse County Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony as part of National Police Week. This year, the La Crosse Police Department hosted the ceremony. Police Chief Shawn Kudron says it's an honor to host an event recognizing officers who have given their lives in the area and across the county. 'It's a time for us to reflect on officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice to their communities. It's also a day to celebrate those who have chosen law enforcement as their profession and serving their communities. We come together today on Peace Officer Memorial Day, May fifteenth, to respect and honor with our communities those that have chosen law enforcement.'
La Crosse County Sheriff John Siegel says it's always important for everyone to think about those who have lost their lives while wearing the badge. 'Every year, we have law enforcement officers who lose their lives in the line of duty. Whether it be through a car crash or some other event. I think it's really important to remember the service that they provide to our community, and the service that they provided to their communities when that happens.'
Chief Kudron says it's great to see community members come out to honor officers who serve their communities. 'There's men and women out there twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year that are protecting them and serving their communities. I think it's important for a community to come together, pay their respects, and be able to honor those officers here locally and across the nation.'
Sheriff Siegel says people who see a ceremony like this will hopefully gain a sense of community. 'We have a lot of law enforcement in La Crosse County. The sheriff's office, the La Crosse City Police Department, and all the municipal agencies, everybody here in one place, honoring the service that we have. I hope that when people are here, they see that we have great men and women in our community that serve them.'
Only three City of La Crosse officers have ever lost their lives: patrolmen Joseph Donndelinger, Frank Groeschner, and T. Perry Gates.
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