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
| Deputy Nikohl Crossman | Juneau County Sherriff's Office |
| Inspector Thomas Disterhaft | Waukesha |
| Trooper Cameron Doute | Fond du Lac |
| Trooper Joseph Gilltrap | Eau Claire |
| Deputy Samual Goberville | Juneau County Sherriff's Office |
| Trooper Jeremiah Johnson | Tomah |
| Deputy Amber Kuhl | Juneau County Sherriff's Office |
| Warden Sean Mason | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
| Lieutenant Kevin Patrenets | Juneau County Sherriff's Office |
| Trooper Christopher Saraniecki | Spooner |
| Deputy Charlie Smart | Juneau County Sherriff's Office |
| Trooper Tye Smith | Tomah |
| Trooper Trevin Szulczewski | Wausau |
| Trooper Steven Wojcik | Eau Claire |
Special Recognition
| Commendable Service | Communications Technician Supervisor Mark Woody | Northwest Region |
| Commendable Service | Sergeant Jennifer Austin | Fond du Lac |
| Commendable Service | Sergeant Andrew Jacobs | Fond du Lac |
| Commendable Service | Captain Luke Newman | Fond du Lac |
| Commendable Service | Lieutenant Bryan Wrycha | Wausau |
| Commendable Service | Inspector Jonathan Fenrick | DeForest |
| Meritorious Service | Officer Jared Coffren | Village of DeForest Police Department |
| Meritorious Service | Trooper David Gibson | Wausau |
| Meritorious Service | Inspector Tyler Koenig | Waukesha |
| Superintendent's Commendation | Trooper Joshua Sasse | Fond du Lac |
| Superintendent's Commendation | Trooper Steven Kuhnke | Fond du Lac |
| Superintendent's Commendation | Trooper Redouan Oubouha | Waukesha |
| Superintendent's Commendation | Trooper David Welling | Fond du Lac |
| Superintendent's Star of Recognition | Sergeant Todd Brehm | K9 Unit |
Employees of the Year
| Inspector of the Year | Inspector Ian Thompson | Eau Claire |
| Trooper of the Year | Trooper Cody Digre | K9 Unit/Tomah |
| Civilian Employee of the Year | Polly Ebbinger | Headquarters |
| Dispatcher of the Year | Jennifer Voss | Fond du Lac |
Unit Citation - Peer Support Team
| Sergeant Jennifer Austin | Fond du Lac |
| Law Enforcement Dispatch Supervisor Katrice Babiasz | Waukesha |
| Inspector Matthew Chambers | Tomah |
| Trooper Logan Christel | Fond du Lac |
| Alcohol Toxicologist Nicole Duensing | Chemical Test Section |
| Law Enforcement Dispatcher Jessica Duncan | Eau Claire |
| Inspector Jonathan Fenrick | DeForest |
| Trooper Brandon Ferrell | DeForest |
| Trooper Cameron Garcia | Eau Claire |
| Inspector Kendi Geschrei (Retired) | Wausau |
| Lieutenant Randy Gordon | Tomah |
| Sergeant Charlotte Gyllin | DeForest |
| Sergeant Justin Hansen | Fond du Lac |
| Captain Robert Hartson | Wausau |
| Law Enforcement Dispatcher Cassie Hermanson | Eau Claire |
| Trooper Jordan Jones | DeForest |
| Trooper Brandon Karlen | Wausau |
| Trooper Marah Kernosky | Fond du Lac |
| Inspector Tyler Kostos | K9 Unit/Waukesha |
| Trooper Michael Lawson | Waukesha |
| Program Assistant Advanced Confidential Cassie Leckwee | Headquarters |
| Inspector Lance Loonsfoot | Wausau |
| Inspector David Modica | Tomah |
| Trooper Thomas Monroe | Tomah |
| Sergeant Matthew Moore | Specialized Services |
| Sergeant Brent Reiter | Specialized Services |
| Sergeant Brock Rizzo | Spooner |
| Trooper Carl Rowan | Eau Claire |
| Trooper Scott Darin | Technical Reconstruction Unit/Waukesha |
| Trooper Kyle Scott | Wausau |
| Sergeant Mathew Strickland | Wausau |
| Sergeant Demitrius Tann | Specialized Services |
| Trooper Alex Trofin | K9 Unit/Fond du Lac |
| Sergeant James Twet | Waukesha |
| Sergeant Robert Unruh | Eau Claire |
| Sergeant Greg Venne | Motor Carrier Enforcement Section/Headquarters |
| Inspector Anthony Winscher | DeForest |
| Sergeant Ben Wyant | Fond du Lac |
| Investigator Sou Xiong | Motor Carrier Enforcement Section/Headquarters |
| Sergeant Brian Zaemisch (Retired) | DeForest |
| Chaplain Mark Clements | Tomah |
| Chaplain David Bratlie | Eau Claire, Tomah, Wausua |
| Chaplain Dean Collins | Waukesha |
| Chaplain Lee Endris | Fond du Lac |
| Chaplain Robert Goodsell | DeForest |
| Chaplain Cody Kargus | Spooner |
| Chaplain Archer Leupp | Fond du Lac |
| Chaplain Christian Markle | Wausau |
| Chaplain Kevin Morris | Eau Claire, Spooner |
| Chaplain Stephen Niles | Waukesha |
| Chaplain Frank O'Laughlin | Tomah |
| Chaplain George Papachristou | Waukesha |
| Chaplain John Putnam | Fond du Lac |
| Chaplain Benjamin Seamans | DeForest |
| Chaplain Jeffry Skinner | Tomah |
| Chaplain Lawrence Szyman | Eau Claire, Spooner |
For more information, contact:
WisDOT Office of Public Affairs
(608) 266-3581,
opa.exec@dot.wi.gov