The WPPA Month in Review: March 6, 2020
During the course of the last few weeks, the following events took place:
Wauwatosa
Following a fatal officer-involved shooting by a Wauwatosa police officer, WPPA Executive Director Jim Palmer provided a law enforcement perspective in an article that appeared in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel to counter the reactions of people upset about the fact that this latest shooting was the fifth involving officers from that department in the last five years.
In pointing out how some people “rush to the podium” after a shooting, Palmer stressed how important it is to “reserve judgment until all of the facts are known.”
You can read that article below:
Community responds after fifth Wauwatosa police officer-involved shooting in five years
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, February 7.
Marshfield
Recently, the WPPA began a legal and public dispute with the police chief in Marshfield after he arbitrarily established an unreasonable physical fitness standard and then used that standard to terminate an officer that couldn’t meet it. The officer, a 21-year veteran of the department that suffered a line-of-duty knee injury several years ago, had asked for an accommodation. Several members of the WPPA staff have been contesting this on multiple fronts to stand up for the rights of all veteran officers and the many advantages and benefits that they provide to their communities as a result of their seasoned experience.
Here are some of the various media stories covering this dispute:
Marshfield police officer fighting for job back after getting fired for failing timed run
Marshfield News Herald, February 12.
Local police officer fighting to get his job back
WAOW-TV, February 13.
WPPA to meet with Marshfield Police chief Friday about officer fired for failed running test
WSAW-TV, February 13.
Parties agree to extend timelines for grievance filed after Marshfield Police Officer fired
WSAW-TV, February 14.
Law enforcement fitness standards in the spotlight as lawsuit looms for Marshfield police
WSAW-TV, February 28.
Former colleague of terminated Marshfield officer starts fundraiser for Beauchamp family
WSAW-TV, March 2.
Statewide
Palmer appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio “Central Time” afternoon program to discuss the recruiting challenges facing our state’s law enforcement community.
You can hear that appearance and read a subsequent article about it below:
Assessing Police Recruitment In Madison And Around Wisconsin
Wisconsin Public Radio, February 25.
What Are The Struggles For Recruiting Police Officers In Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Public Radio, February 28.
Palmer again appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio – this time as a guest on “The Morning Show” to talk about the new statutory rules for agencies using body-worn cameras.
You can listen to that appearance here:
New Law Addresses Police Body Camera Footage
Wisconsin Public Radio, March 6.
In Memoriam
Aaron E. Kumferman, age 47, of Plainfield, passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday morning, March 4, 2020, at UW Hospital in Madison.
Aaron was born April 7, 1972, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the son of George and Renate (Loske) Kumferman. He married the love of his life, Rachel King on April 18, 2009.
Aaron was a 1991 graduate of Eau Claire North High School. After gradation he proudly served his country in the United States Army. After serving his country he returned home and entered the police force, dedicating his life to serving his community and others. In 2001 he took a position for the Village of Plainfield; he was quickly promoted to Police Chief. He retired from his role as Police Chief in 2017 but continued to serve as a deputy until his time of death for the Waushara County Sheriff Department and the Village of Coloma.
Jennifer Jean Diener, age 48, left this world to be with her dad in heaven on February 15, 2020, following complications from an automobile accident.
Jennifer was born in Milwaukee on April 3, 1971, to her proud parents, Philip and Jean (nee: Jacobs) Jacobson. A graduate of Waterford High School “Class of 1989”, Jenny went on to earn her bachelor and master’s degrees in Criminal Justice from UW-Milwaukee and UW-Platteville, respectively. Jenny joined the Racine Police Department in 1995 and had been serving the Racine Community with honor for the past twenty-five years. Her absence will be felt throughout the entire city. On September 22, 2001, Jennifer was united in marriage to the love of her life, Brian W. Diener at Norway Lutheran Church, where she was a lifelong member. They were married for nearly nineteen years and were given the ultimate blessing when their daughter Taylor was born in 2004. Another proud moment came when Jenny escorted her father on the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in 2015. Always unassuming, Jenny will be remembered fondly for her great service to her community, her beautiful smile, her dedication to her work and coworkers, and most of all, her great love and devotion to her family.
Nicholas Ryan, age 39, of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020.
He was born on Dec. 29, 1980, in Glenwood Springs, Colo., the son of Thomas and Kathleen (Curtin) Ryan. Nick moved to Lombard, Ill. at a young age, and then to Beloit, Wis., where he attended Beloit College. After college he moved to the Madison area and went to graduate school at the UW-Madison. Nicholas married Amanda Sanders on Oct. 5, 2007, in Oak Brook, Ill. He began working for the Madison Police Department in 2007 and was promoted to detective in 2016. He was a proud member of the police hockey team and Phi Kappa Si Fraternity. Nick loved animals, enjoyed woodworking, being outdoors and golfing. Most of all, he loved his children and spending time with them. Nicholas is survived by wife, Amanda; son, Tommy Ryan; daughter, Julie Ryan; parents; sister, Lindsay Ryan; and brother, Emmett (Adam Leohr) Ryan.
The WPPA Death Benefit
The WPPA offers a $5,000 death benefit to the designated beneficiaries of all active, full-service members. In the event of a member’s death, regardless of whether it occurred in the line of duty, please contact us as soon as possible.
Also, please be sure to keep your beneficiary information up-to-date. If you wish to change the Death Benefit Beneficiary that is on file in the WPPA office, please fill out the form below and email it to Sarah Cowen. If you are unsure of whom you have listed as your beneficiary, Sarah can provide you with that information.
This Beneficiary Update Form is for beneficiary changes only.
New WPPA Members
The WPPA is thrilled to welcome the officers in Iowa County and Walworth, along with those working for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, as the latest additions to the WPPA’s proud rank-and-file membership