Three officers honored for stopping bank robbery

Shawano Police Chief Bradley Rabideau presented commendations to three of his officers March 9 during the Shawano Common Council meeting for exemplary work in and out of the city.

Rabideau honored officers Brent Dilge, Jeff Buettner and Ronald Frechette for taking action on Valentine’s Day to apprehend a woman who held up the Capital Credit Union that afternoon. The chief noted the police dispatch received a call around 2:50 p.m. to report the robbery in progress, and Dilge, Buettner and Frechette arrived in time to see the suspect leaving the credit union and walking west toward Buss Motors.

She was given “verbal commands, but the subject failed to comply with the officer’s directives,” Rabideau said. “The subject did not remove her right hand from her pocket and continued to try to leave the area.”

The officers followed the suspect to the parking lot of another business nearby, according to Rabideau, and verbal commands continued to be ignored, which prompted the use of a Taser by Buettner. A struggle ensued, and Dilge and Frechette got the suspect under control. The officers located a knife in the suspect’s jacket pocket, along with a clear bag containing money from the credit union.

“Due to the quick response and the keen observation of the officers, a suspected bank robber was taken into custody without injury to citizens, officers or suspect,” Rabideau said. “These officers are commended for their service to the community.”

Buettner was also recognized for his quick actions during a snowstorm on Feb. 18. When he was returning for what Rabideau called “a special duty assignment,” he and his squad vehicle were involved in a 39-vehicle crash on state Highway 39 near Wausau.

“Officer Buettner encountered a white-out blizzard, with zero visibility,” Rabideau said. “Despite comprehensive damage to the squad (vehicle), blinding snow and high winds, Officer Buettner was able to exit his squad and begin triaging the occupants of other vehicles. This act of service to others while disregarding his safety exceeded the highest expectations of the Shawano Police Department.”

Rabideau added that Buettner’s actions show an intense desire to help others.

While the three officers went above and beyond the call of duty, they’re not necessarily the exceptions to the rule, according to Rabideau.

“It should be pointed out that every day, Shawano police officers do many things to meet the mission of the Shawano Police Department to protect and serve those who live, work and visit the city of Shawano,” Rabideau said. “Occasionally, and moreso than we recognize, officers go above and beyond and do some really heroic things.”

Alderwoman Sandy Steinke commended the officers for their actions, but she also took a moment to thank the families who were in attendance.

“They have to worry and give up their days to be behind these wonderful officers, never knowing what’s going to happen every day they walk out the door,” Steinke said.

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com