Local legislators are honoring their respective Districts’ First Responders of the Year.
25th District Assemblyman Paul Tittl visited with Manitowoc Police Captain Cooper Schmidt in Madison, praising his work in combating illegal drug use. Captain Schmidt is also in charge of the Detective Unit and has served on the Manitowoc County Drug Court and Lighthouse Recovery Center. Rep. Tittl noted, “(Captain) Schmidt has demonstrated his leadership abilities and his capacity to help others. Thank you for stepping up in the community.”
3rd District Assemblyman Ron Tusler’s First Responder of the Year is Deputy Dylan Olson of the Calumet County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Olson was being recognized for his consistent leadership and proactive service, in particular, his swift, life-saving actions during a June 2025 incident involving a person in crisis. Rep. Tusler specifically pointed to an incident where Deputy Olson was on patrol when he noticed a vehicle parked in the Menasha Conservancy parking lot, an unusual sight at that hour. Rep. Tusler said, “Acting on his instincts and training, he stopped to investigate and discovered a vehicle with tubes leading from the exhaust into the cabin, a clear sign of a potential suicide attempt. Deputy Olson made contact with the occupant, who was in the midst of a mental health crisis, and ensured the individual received the help they needed. His decisive action and compassionate response undoubtedly saved a life.”
26th District Assemblyman Joe Sheehan has announced that Sergeant Shannon McKay of the Sheboygan Police Department has been named the district’s First Responder of the Year. Sgt. McKay has been serving the Sheboygan community with the department for 24 years, spending 12 of those years as a shift leader. When explaining this year’s winner’s demeanor, Representative Sheehan said, “His humility and dedication to the community is immediately evident when speaking to him.” The Assemblyman finished his honorary statement by noting that Sgt McKay is “the best among the best.”
All three were honored in Madison during the annual First Responder of the Year recognition ceremony.
