2024 Milwaukee County Law Enforcement Memorial; 5 men honored

MILWAUKEE - The 2024 Greater Milwaukee Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony is being hosted on Thursday, May 9 at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center.

The ceremony commemorates law enforcement members who have died in the line of duty. A news release says honored at this year’s ceremony will be three Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) Officers, a Wisconsin DCI Agent and an MCSO Deputy Sheriff. They include the following:

Matthew Rittner, who was fatally shot by a criminal suspect on February 6, 2019, as he executed a narcotics and firearms-related search warrant at a residence. Officer Rittner, a 17-year MPD veteran was also a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Peter Jerving, who was fatally shot on February 7, 2023, while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect. Officer Jerving had served with MPD for four years. He is survived by his parents, six siblings, and a long-time girlfriend.

Michael Draeger passed away on December 28, 1974, succumbing to burns received one month earlier when his clothing caught fire, following a vehicle accident that occurred as he was responding to an "officer needs assistance" call. Officer Draeger had served with MPD for five years and was survived by his wife and two children.

DCI Special Agent Jay Balchunas died on November 5, 2004, after being shot during a robbery a week earlier, while working undercover in Milwaukee. Agent Balchunas had served with the Wisconsin Department of Justice for five years and nine years prior to that with MPD. He was also a volunteer firefighter in New Berlin and is survived by his fiancée, parents, sister and brother-in-law, brother and sister-in-law, nephews, and niece.

Deputy Sheriff Howard Grundman, who passed away on January 30, 1934, was killed in a motorcycle crash while en route to serve a court summons. He had served with MCSO for four years and was survived by his wife and three children.

The annual ceremony came just ahead of National Police Week, which begins Sunday, May 12.

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Speakers at the ceremony

"Those courageous officers put their lives and their safety on the line in service of others," said Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul. "While their lives were cut short. Their legacies are eternal. They are remembered in the lives of other officers, and we come together to remember their lives because of the impact that they had, because of the inspiration that they provide for others, because we know that they knew that doing the right thing was the way to go about doing their work and living their lives."

"We are reminded of the risks that they take every single day to keep us all safe," said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. "And so today we not only remember those brave souls and those brave individuals, but we also remember their families, their friends and their colleagues who have been left behind to carry on their legacy."

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Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson spoke directly to the families most impacted by the deaths of the law enforcement officers.

"Your loss, it's deep. It's much deeper than any one of us could ever imagine," the mayor said. "I know I've had the opportunity to speak with you over the years. I know it is. I want family members and want colleagues to know that we honor your emotions and we honor your sacrifices. We do."

"To the families who have lost loved ones, it can't be easy seeing an open spot on the table or missing someone at major events," said Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball. "But we want to say thank you for allowing your loved ones and supporting your loved ones as they became law enforcement officers. Although their lives were taken unnecessarily, it will not be forgotten. They will be in our hearts and in our minds."

"Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate you," said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman. "I see you all. And I'm not afraid to say I love you."

Complete Milwaukee County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony

A law enforcement processional preceded Thursday's ceremony. It stretched from Lake Park to the War Memorial Center.