To the editor:
“Correctional officers have the difficult and often dangerous assignment of ensuring the custody, safety and well-being of the over 600,000 inmates in our nation’s prisons and jails. Their position is essential to the day-to-day operations of these institutions; without them it would be impossible to achieve the foremost institutional goals of security and control.
“Historically, correctional officers have been viewed as ‘guards,’ occupying isolated and misunderstood positions in prisons and jails. In recent years, the duties of these officers have become increasingly complex and demanding. They are called upon to fill, simultaneously, custodial, supervisory and counseling roles.
“The professionalism, dedication and courage exhibited by these officers throughout the performance of these demanding and often conflicting roles deserve our utmost respect. The important work of correctional Officers often does not receive the recognition from the public it deserves. It is appropriate that we honor the many contributions and accomplishments of these men and women who are a vital component of the field of corrections.”
The prior statement is the heart of a proclamation issued by President Ronald Reagan in May 1984 dedicating the first week of May each year as National Correctional Officers Week.
Correctional officers many times are out of sight, out of mind. The general public doesn’t comprehend the difficulties and dangers of their job. Imagine coming to work every day in an environment secure from the outside world, but inside you have daily contact with people who are awaiting trial for, or convicted of, all types of crimes, some violent, some not. No one incarcerated here wants to be here; all are here as a result of some type of court action.
Correctional officers work 24/7, 365 days a year, despite the weather, holiday or missed family celebration.
Our current roster: Lt. Greg Nelson, Lt. Jason Annis-Wild, Sgt. Marv Ninham, Sgt. Tom Kristof, Sgt. Troy Beyer, Sgt. Mike Pingel; corrections officers, Kyle Gerhard, Dan Breutzman, Patricia Ketterhagen, Lisa Boettcher, Gloria Kuhn, Sue Ponchaud, Sarah Resch, Jim Wickesberg, Blake Artis, Cory Ladwig, Jill Greser, Tim Brusewitz, Milt Marquardt III, Adam Traurig, Todd Lohrentz, Kalyn Kvaley, Sara Hodkiewicz, Mike McCoy, Deb Hoffman, Dylan Berg, Paul Minniecheske, Christopher Morter, Samantha Williams, Joel Minniecheske, Katie Severinsen, Zachary Sincoular, Misty Bloecher, Brenda Lynn, Tully Tauferner, Terry Knope, Wendy Hafner, Krystal Seay, Michelle McCauley; account clerks, Kristie Runge and Karen Peters; food service manager, Elizabeth Reissman; cooks, Rose Flessert, Jolene Daniel, Debra Hintz; jail nurse, Tyler Rich.
This year, during the week of May 3-9, I would ask that everyone take a few moments to celebrate with the dedicated men and women helping to safeguard our communities, securing the well-being of those we serve, and remember the 585 correctional officers listed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., who gave all in the line of duty.
Greg Trinko,
Jail Administrator,
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
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