FOX CROSSING, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Local law enforcement agencies are feeling a sense of loss in the wake of Detective Jason Weiland’s death.
Police say they sympathize with the Everest Metro Police Department. They say this is an especially painful month, locally.
Law enforcement officers across Wisconsin are in mourning following the death of Weiland.
And locally, many were already in mourning this week.
Fond du Lac Police Officer Craig Birkholz was killed on duty on March 20, 2011. State Trooper Trevor Casper was killed on duty in Fond du Lac on March 24, 2015.
Wisconsin State Patrol Sergeant Luke Newman spoke to WLUK.
“It’s always a difficult time of year, especially in the Fond du Lac area. Kind of brings back a lot of memories of what happened in the other two incidents as well”
Newman says Weiland’s death has added more sadness to this month.
“A lot of, kind of, melancholy feelings around, just due to the situations”
Area officers say even if the loss doesn’t come from their own departments, they still feel the pain.
“It certainly hits home and brings home that it really is a dangerous job and Lord knows what could happen during a shift,” explained Fox Crossing Police Officer Jason Weber.
So departments across the area are now reaching out to the Everest Metro Police Department.
It’s shown in phone calls and visits, in covering for officers in mourning. Support is also shown in smaller ways, with flags at half staff, condolences on social media and mourning bands on badges.
“To give honor and respect to those who have fallen…We really are one, true family”
Newman says the most important way to honor the fallen is by not forgetting their sacrifices.
“It’s important to remember the people who have given their life in the line of duty to protect and serve the people of Wisconsin”
“They are heroes in every sense of the word,” added Weber, heroes whose loss will be felt for years to come.
Both state patrol and the Village of Fox Crossing Police Department are planning to send representatives to Weiland’s funeral.
