Lincoln County Sheriff’s office employees honored
STAR JOURNAL REPORT
Several members of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s staff have been recognized for their efforts in 2016. Sheriff Jeff Jaeger presented six employees with awards including five for their actions in July of this year following a police involved shooting in Antigo which resulted in a high speed chase that ended in the Town of Pine River.
Lt. Ken Schneider, Deputy Michael Sundquist, Communications Officers Michael Caylor, Jr. and Crystal Soderlund were recognized for their efforts in the incident.
Schneider responded to State Rd 64 near Range Line Rd where he used a tire deflation device to disable the vehicle which was being pursed at 120 MPH. Jaeger said Schneider’s prompt action prevented the suspect from reaching the City of Merrill or US Hwy 51 which would have allowed him access to multiple populated areas.
Sundquist took the lead position in the pursuit. The vehicles stopped three times on Hillview Rd, each of those times the suspect would have been able to gain access to passing vehicles or occupied dwellings if it not for Deputy Sundquist actions. Each time the suspect’s vehicle stopped, Sundquist immediately contained the suspect and provided cover to his fellow law enforcement officers who were catching up to the pursuit and taking tactical positions. Deputy Sundquist’s action’s protected the public and the neighbors on Hillview Rd while putting himself at risk by engaging an armed suspect who had just shot at a police officer.
Communications Officers Caylor and Soderlund were recognized for working with the Langlade County Sheriff’s Office to provide an immediate response of multiple units which were able to stop the pursuing vehicle and then contain it in a rural area.
Sgt. Investigator Brian Kingsley received the Combat Cross Award for his role of verbally negotiating with the armed and wanted fugitive for over an hour in an attempt to gain a peaceful surrender. He received the award for using his training and skills to end the threat when the suspect’s actions presented an immediate threat to law enforcement, including shooting at them. It was through Kingsley’s efforts, according to a press release, that no injury occurred to law enforcement or civilians that morning.
“The quick response and professional actions of these employees were paramount in the protection of our community,” Sheriff Jaeger noted. “The actions of the suspect resulted in the final outcome of the incident, which is something we all hoped to avoid, but it was thanks to the actions of these individuals that this wanted person was kept from the populated areas and no harm came to any civilians during the incident. The actions of these individuals exemplifies the mission and values of our Sheriff’s Office.”
Sheriff Jaeger also awarded Sgt. Investigator Tom Barker his Deputy of the Year Award. Sgt. Investigator Barker was recognized for his diligent investigations, substantial case load, and exceptional clearance ratio. Also recognized for their recent new assignments as K-9 handlers were Deputies Joel Prahl and Deputy Sam Steckbauer.
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