APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – What seemed like a typical work day for an Appleton VA officer, turned into anything but.
Officer Cole Kantner, calls it dumb luck when he ironically left the VA office in Appleton for the one in Green Bay, earlier than usual on Dec. 12.
While driving along I-41 near Wrightstown, Officer Kantner heard a statewide “attempt to locate” alert over the Brown County radio frequency.
The alert was for an armed and dangerous person wanted for a possible kidnapping of an 18-month-old child.
“When they were giving some of the details and everything, I remember telling myself, ‘Wow, this actually sounds like an interesting incident,’” Officer Kantner said. “When I happened to look up and see the vehicle that matched the description, at the time you kind of think to yourself, no way is this going to happen to me, there’s no way I am in the right spot at the right time.”
Kantner quickly alerted authorities. Since VA officers have no law enforcement authority off VA property, he followed the vehicle until it was pulled over on University Avenue in Green Bay. The suspect was arrested and the child was safe.
Kantner says he doesn’t believe he did anything anyone else wouldn’t have done with the same information.
“I am a father myself and it kind of takes heart when you know there is a child involved and I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome,” Kantner said.
Colleges, friends and family have praised Kantner for his quick thinking, including Milwaukee VA police chief, Tim Jantz who says it was the best possible outcome of a very bad situation.
“I truly thank God that I was there at that time and able to do something about it,” Kantner said.
Kantner also applauds the work of responding law enforcement who successfully made the traffic stop and took the suspect into custody.
