Leader Staff
Two Shawano police officers and a Shawano County sheriff’s deputy will be recognized as Officers of the Year at the Shawano Optimist Club’s annual Respect for Law award ceremony May 6.
The event will be held at the American Legion Post 117, 850 S. Lincoln St.
The officers were chosen for the honors by their respective departments.
This year’s recipients are sheriff’s deputy Joseph Verbrigghe and police officers Noah Bunt and Ryan Atkinson.
“Noah and Ryan were selected from their efforts in meeting our mission and working hard with others to make this a better city in which to work and live,” Police Chief Mark Kohl said.
Bunt has been an officer since May 2006.
“Noah has been instrumental in strengthening the partnerships we have with landlords and property owners,” Kohl said. “Noah has become the liaison between the police and landlords in providing valuable training in landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities. He has become the P.D.’s point of contact on tenant/landlord and city ordinance issues.”
Atkinson has been an officer since May 2002.
“Ryan works with a team of dedicated police officers in investigating crimes involving drugs and other victim-witnessed crimes,” Kohl said. “Ryan has spent many hours working in partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigations on drug and cold case investigations.
“Even though we’re in our beginning stages of many drug investigations, Ryan’s work has made a big dent into drug activity in Shawano. Ryan’s hard work is making this a safer community for all.”
Kohl said selecting officers of the year from the department wasn’t an easy choice, given the team effort of so many others.
“Along with Noah, Lt. Dan Conradt’s involvement in helping with landlord issues is not overlooked,” Kohl said. “Along with Ryan, officers Dan Conradt’s and Jeff Lenzner’s strong investigative work in drug investigations made our achievements united. I believe Noah and Ryan would recognize their successes as a team recognition.”
In making his selection, Sheriff Adam Bieber noted that the Optimists place particular emphasis on activities that are beneficial to area youth.
“Over the past several years Deputy Verbrigghe has been a tireless volunteer at The Well, a local meeting place for area youth; operated and maintained by the River Valley Community Church,” Bieber said. “The Well provides a safe and secure environment for young people to gather, participate in group activities, and simply have a great time without worrying about being surrounded by negative influences.”
Verbrigghe provides supervision and security at the Well, assists with upkeep and is available to serve as a mentor for the youth, Bieber said.
“Deputy Verbrigghe provides an excellent example of the community caretaking element of policing, both on and off duty,” Bieber said.
Verbrigghe has been with the sheriff’s department for 27 years and was previously a U.S. Army MP serving overseas.