Safe Haven ball honors first responders

First responders packed the pavilion at Shawano Lake County Park on Oct. 22, but there was no fire or emergency to speak of. Rather, the gathering was an opportunity for Safe Haven to honor police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and their supporters at the Ball of the Badges.

Safe Haven announced that its big award, the Behind the Badge honor, would hereafter be named for retired Shawano police officer Jody Johnson, who has been a part of the organization in some form since the current shelter was built 20 years ago. Stacy Cicero, who recently stepped down as executive director, said Johnson exemplifies all of the qualifications of the award, which includes providing support and aid to victims of domestic violence.

“One of her many passions includes helping victims of domestic violence, especially the children,” Cicero said. “Jody always stops off at Safe Haven, just to see if we need anything. She routinely referred victims to Safe Haven and was always available to answer questions. She quickly became our go-to person.”

In accepting the award, Johnson noted that first responders are part of a bigger family, beyond the one created at home. She noted that, even though she’s no longer an active police officer, she’s not ready to step back from helping people find a way out of violent homes.

“No one can quite understand the sacrifices and commitment that it takes to answer that fire call, get on that ambulance, put on your uniform and go to work every day,” Johnson said. “It is such an honor to be able to do that, and I miss it greatly.”

Johnson added that there were plenty of people in the audience who are equally deserving of such an award.

“I don’t sit much. I just go, go, go,” Johnson said, noting that her husband, Mike Wizner, retired from law enforcement two years earlier and had some peace and quiet before “Hurricane Jody” came home to roost.

Supporters like Johnson are needed, not only in Shawano County, but everywhere. Jennifer Laude Bisterfeldt, the new Safe Haven executive director, noted that it was important to have events like the Ball of the Badges to show gratitude for those people who often save lives at the expense of family time, holidays, weekends and, oftentimes, their own health.

“Domestic violence and sexual abuse remain a hidden problem in our society,” Bisterfeldt said. “Every nine seconds, a person is beaten by their intimate partner. Last year in Wisconsin, 68 people were killed as a result of domestic violence incidents; 11 of these were children. We hear these difficult stories in the news, through friends, and many of us know someone who is a survivor.”

Locally, law enforcement completed 185 domestic violence assessments, and 55% of them were deemed high danger, according to Bisterfeldt, which means a potential homicide risk.

“Safe Haven sees firsthand the impact first responders have and the vital role they play in being the first to arrive and help people with domestic violence,” she said. “Your jobs are far from easy, as you rush toward danger while everyone else is running away. You do so for complete strangers but never question it.”

George Lenzner, chief deputy for the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department, said the county is a good place for first responders. There are not many who want to do the job of law enforcement or emergency services, he said, so it was important to recognize those who answered the call of duty.

“We get so much support from the community, compared to other places around the state,” Lenzner said. “We’re all one big team of first responders, and we need each other to make it work.”

However, it’s not just the first responders who deserve kudos, according to Cal Kanowitz, who was presenting awards for EMS and fire departments. As he presented an award to Jane Gehm, wife of the late Shawano Assistant Fire Chief Larry Gehm, Kanowitz said spouses and other family members are waiting at home, not completely certain whether their loved ones will be coming through the door again.

“When the call comes in the middle of the night, the wives are often sitting up, not being able to get back to sleep because they’re thinking of their loved ones,” Gehm said. “One of their most important jobs is being a sounding board for their loved one because the death and devastation that you experience and encounter every day can often be emotional.”

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com

AT A GLANCE

The awards for the 2021 Ball of the Badges:

• Jody Johnson: Behind the Badge

• Dana Ritchie: Support Staff of the Year

• Jane Gehm: Volunteer Firefighters’ Wife of the Year

• Rodney Hoppe: EMS Person of the Year

• Angelica Tourtillott: Correctional Officer of the Year

• Stephanie Hintz: Telecommunicator of the Year

• Eric Chernetski: Deputy of the Year