Wisconsin State Patrol Annual Awards Ceremony recognizes outstanding public service

25 awards presented at Wisconsin State Patrol’s annual Awards Ceremony

Release date: April 17, 2026

Extraordinary acts of public service were recognized today at the annual Wisconsin State Patrol Award Ceremony in Wisconsin Dells. The event highlights Wisconsin State Patrol troopers, inspectors and civilian staff as well traffic safety partners who have gone above and beyond to make Wisconsin’s roads and communities safer.

Governor Tony Evers joined Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) leaders and spoke at the ceremony.

“Each year, I’m amazed by the stories of public servants whose heroic and selfless actions save lives and improve services for the people of Wisconsin—and this year is no different,” said Gov. Evers. “As governor, I’ve seen firsthand the work ethic and dedication to service of the Wisconsin State Patrol as I travel all across our state. And the folks we are recognizing today exemplify the very best of that commitment and dedication.”

Serving as the public safety division of WisDOT, the Wisconsin State Patrol is a key contributor of the overall mission to build a safe and efficient transportation system. Lifesaving and Meritorious Service awards recognize those who saved lives or put themselves in physical danger to keep someone else safe. The Commendable Service, Superintendent’s Commendation, Superintendent’s Star of Recognition, Unit Citation and employee of the year categories acknowledge exceptional efforts that contribute to WisDOT’s efforts to achieve zero deaths on Wisconsin roads.

“The leadership and dedication recognized today is inspiring and critical to WisDOT’s work to move the needle on safety,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said. “Every time you answer the call to save a life, each time you go a step further to help a driver, and every opportunity you take to make our state a safer place, proves your dedication to achieving this agency’s goal.”

Award recipients are nominated by their peers and selected to receive recognition for their actions by the Wisconsin State Patrol Awards Committee.

“This event gives us an opportunity to reflect on the positive impacts State Patrol and our traffic safety partners have on communities across Wisconsin,” Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said. “The individuals and units acknowledged today for going above and beyond approach situations or projects with purpose and compassion, often putting the safety and needs of others above their own. I’m proud to highlight their work and see firsthand how their efforts save lives and improve the safety for anyone traveling Wisconsin’s roads.”

View photos of the ceremony and award recipients.

Lifesaving Award

Award Recipient
Post
Deputy Nikohl CrossmanJuneau County Sherriff's Office
Inspector Thomas DisterhaftWaukesha
Trooper Cameron DouteFond du Lac
Trooper Joseph GilltrapEau Claire
Deputy Samual GobervilleJuneau County Sherriff's Office
Trooper Jeremiah JohnsonTomah
Deputy Amber KuhlJuneau County Sherriff's Office
Warden Sean MasonWisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Lieutenant Kevin PatrenetsJuneau County Sherriff's Office
Trooper Christopher SaranieckiSpooner
Deputy Charlie SmartJuneau County Sherriff's Office
Trooper Tye SmithTomah
Trooper Trevin SzulczewskiWausau
Trooper Steven WojcikEau Claire


Special Recognition

Award
Award recipient
Post
Commendable ServiceCommunications Technician Supervisor Mark WoodyNorthwest Region
Commendable ServiceSergeant Jennifer AustinFond du Lac
Commendable ServiceSergeant Andrew JacobsFond du Lac
Commendable ServiceCaptain Luke NewmanFond du Lac
Commendable ServiceLieutenant Bryan WrychaWausau
Commendable ServiceInspector Jonathan FenrickDeForest
Meritorious ServiceOfficer Jared CoffrenVillage of DeForest Police Department
Meritorious ServiceTrooper David GibsonWausau
Meritorious ServiceInspector Tyler KoenigWaukesha
Superintendent's CommendationTrooper Joshua SasseFond du Lac
Superintendent's CommendationTrooper Steven KuhnkeFond du Lac
Superintendent's CommendationTrooper Redouan OubouhaWaukesha
Superintendent's CommendationTrooper David WellingFond du Lac
Superintendent's Star of RecognitionSergeant Todd BrehmK9 Unit


Employees of the Year

Award
Award recipient
Post
Inspector of the YearInspector Ian ThompsonEau Claire
Trooper of the YearTrooper Cody DigreK9 Unit/Tomah
Civilian Employee of the YearPolly EbbingerHeadquarters
Dispatcher of the YearJennifer VossFond du Lac

Unit Citation - Peer Support Team

Sergeant Jennifer AustinFond du Lac
Law Enforcement Dispatch Supervisor Katrice BabiaszWaukesha
Inspector Matthew ChambersTomah
Trooper Logan ChristelFond du Lac
Alcohol Toxicologist Nicole DuensingChemical Test Section
Law Enforcement Dispatcher Jessica DuncanEau Claire
Inspector Jonathan FenrickDeForest
Trooper Brandon FerrellDeForest
Trooper Cameron GarciaEau Claire
Inspector Kendi Geschrei (Retired)Wausau
Lieutenant Randy GordonTomah
Sergeant Charlotte GyllinDeForest
Sergeant Justin HansenFond du Lac
Captain Robert HartsonWausau
Law Enforcement Dispatcher Cassie HermansonEau Claire
Trooper Jordan JonesDeForest
Trooper Brandon KarlenWausau
Trooper Marah KernoskyFond du Lac
Inspector Tyler KostosK9 Unit/Waukesha
Trooper Michael LawsonWaukesha
Program Assistant Advanced Confidential Cassie LeckweeHeadquarters
Inspector Lance LoonsfootWausau
Inspector David ModicaTomah
Trooper Thomas MonroeTomah
Sergeant Matthew MooreSpecialized Services
Sergeant Brent ReiterSpecialized Services
Sergeant Brock RizzoSpooner
Trooper Carl RowanEau Claire
Trooper Scott DarinTechnical Reconstruction Unit/Waukesha
Trooper Kyle ScottWausau
Sergeant Mathew StricklandWausau
Sergeant Demitrius TannSpecialized Services
Trooper Alex TrofinK9 Unit/Fond du Lac
Sergeant James TwetWaukesha
Sergeant Robert UnruhEau Claire
Sergeant Greg VenneMotor Carrier Enforcement Section/Headquarters
Inspector Anthony WinscherDeForest
Sergeant Ben WyantFond du Lac
Investigator Sou XiongMotor Carrier Enforcement Section/Headquarters
Sergeant Brian Zaemisch (Retired)DeForest
Chaplain Mark ClementsTomah
Chaplain David BratlieEau Claire, Tomah, Wausua
Chaplain Dean CollinsWaukesha
Chaplain Lee EndrisFond du Lac
Chaplain Robert GoodsellDeForest
Chaplain Cody KargusSpooner
Chaplain Archer LeuppFond du Lac
Chaplain Christian MarkleWausau
Chaplain Kevin MorrisEau Claire, Spooner
Chaplain Stephen NilesWaukesha
Chaplain Frank O'LaughlinTomah
Chaplain George PapachristouWaukesha
Chaplain John PutnamFond du Lac
Chaplain Benjamin SeamansDeForest
Chaplain Jeffry SkinnerTomah
Chaplain Lawrence SzymanEau Claire, Spooner

For more information, contact:

WisDOT Office of Public Affairs
(608) 266-3581, opa.exec@dot.wi.gov

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