As 2016 draws to a close, Lincoln County Sheriff Jeff Jaeger has recognized several of his employees for their efforts this past year. At the agency’s annual Christmas gathering this past weekend, 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.
Recognized for their efforts and receiving the Sheriff’s Recognition Award for their actions that day included:
•Lt. Ken Schneider- Schneider responded to State Rd. 64 near Range Line Road where he used a tire deflation device to disable the vehicle which was being pursued at 120 MPH. 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. Lt. Schneider’s actions resulted in the pursuit ending in a rural, less densely populated area and allowed the situation to be contained quickly, preventing injury to any civilians.
•Deputy Michael Sundquist- After the suspect’s vehicle was disabled, Sundquist took the lead position in the pursuit. The vehicles stopped three times on Hillview Road, each of those times the suspect would have been able to gain access to passing vehicles or occupied dwellings if not for Deputy Sundquist’s 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 actions protected the public and the neighbors on Hillview Road while putting himself at risk by engaging an armed suspect who had just shot at a police officer.
•Communications Officers Michael Caylor Jr and Crystal Soderlund- Both were working the morning of the incident. They were able to work with the Langlade County Sheriff’s Office to provide an immediate response of multiple units who were able to stop the vehicle and then contain it in a rural area. They then coordinated a multi-county response from a total of 12 agencies which included multiple specialty units in an effort to bring the situation to a peaceful resolution.
•Sgt. Investigator Brian Kingsley received the Combat Cross Award- Kingsley verbally negotiated with the armed and wanted fugitive for over an hour in an attempt to gain a peaceful surrender. When the suspect’s actions presented an immediate threat to law enforcement, including shooting at them, Kingsley used his training and skills to end that threat. It was through his efforts that no injury occurred to law enforcement or civilians that morning.
Sheriff Jaeger noted, “The quick response and professional actions of these employees were paramount in the protection of our community. 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.