The eerie sound of a bagpiper filled the air in Milwaukee as the city mourned the death of 37-year-old Police Officer Peter Jerving.
He was laid to rest Monday.
Two lakeshore area law enforcement leaders reacted this week to the latest peace officer to die in the line of duty.
While on WOMT’s Be My Guest program, Manitowoc County Sheriff Dan Hartwig said, “We send our thoughts and prayers to his family, his friends, his coworkers, and the Milwaukee Police Department as a whole. God forbid that ever happen here, but it hits close to home. We have a strong network here in Wisconsin with our law enforcement, and anytime you see a public servant like that taken too early, it’s a sad day.”
Manitowoc Police Chief Nick Reimer was on the show a few days later and shared his unique insight.
He was on the force nearly 25 years ago when, in September of 1998, his friend and colleague Dale Ten Haken was shot and killed in the parking lot of a northeast side apartment building.
“I think there are about 6 of us officers…and other non-sworn staff still on board since ’98,” he revealed. “It brings up those memories, unfortunately. When things like this happen, we need to reach out to those people who were involved, and make sure they are ok, locally.”
Reimer added, “When we see or hear of an officer being killed, especially in Wisconsin, it hits home.”
