May 14, 20214 min read

Walworth County Sheriff Annual Awards

The yearly awards distributed to the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office from Sheriff Kurt Picknell have been revealed during the annual Sheriff’s Office Awards Ceremony. The public awards ceremony was unable to be held because of the pandemic, but some of the awards handed out include: the distinguished service award for Deputy Jesse Smith for leadership, and Lieutenant Joshua Staggs in recognition of 17 years as a member of the Dive Team. Walworth County SET and Walworth County SWAT were awarded the Service Award, and Richard Johnson was named Deputy of the Year. A full list of awards is shown below:

Distinguished Service Award – Deputy Jesse Smith

• In recognition of leadership demonstrated as a Deputy, Firearms Instructor, Field

Training Officer, and SWAT member/Instructor.

Distinguished Service Award – Lieutenant Joshua Staggs

• In recognition of 17 years of service to the Sheriff’s Dive Team.

Distinguished Service Unit Award – Walworth County SET (Special Events Team)

Peter Krueger, Matt Schwartz, Al Brandl, Adam VanderSteeg, Seth Keller, Glen Nettesheim,

Katie Tietz, Savier Rodriguez, Jeff Von Alven, Cal Servi, Dan Kuehl, Brian Mair, Deven Seeley, Francisco Lazcano, Phil Tucker, Frank Fusco, Grady Worland, Angelica Johnson, Benjamin McMasters, Nicholas Crouch, Crystal Jazdzewski, Jarett McArdle, Nathan Banks, Rich Johnson, Michael Cain, Joshua Demeio, Heath Gascoigne, Sean Cottini, Casey Apker, Justin Samuel, Haydon Beecroft, Ryan Taft, Nick Borchardt, Tim Swartz, Ray Boro, Richard Rogers, William Rice, Scott Wasilevich, Eric Willms, Anthony Romano, Nicholas Neumuth, Matthew Barrows, Kim Goldsworthy, Joe Balog, Dieter Holtz, Todd Neumann, Jason Hall, Tim Kuchta, Dan Kuehl, Saul Valadez

• In recognition of their contributions and exceptional performance in responding to

multiple protests and civil unrest.

Distinguished Service Unit Award – Walworth County SWAT Team

Josh Staggs, Troy Anhalt, Jesse Smith, Dan Nichols, Matt Weber, Josh Adams, Lucas Hansen, Nick Yohanek, Kevin McNutt, Jason Pajewski, Ben Nitsch, Jason Hintz, Sean Hinzpeter, Jeff Shaw, Wayne Blanchard, Garth Frami, Brody Fiedler, Rob Borek, Taylor Bass, Kyle McNeil, Ryan Weston, Blake Stewart, Ross Vogt, Robby Rayfield, Robert Schiltz, Stephanie Adams, Raymond Clark, Kara Richardson, Timothy Kuchta, Brandi Nelson, Brenton Stettner, John Peters, Marvin Hendry, Matthew Hartlaub, Tyler Krepelan, Kim Pillman, Dr. Mitch Sheley

• In recognition of their contributions and exceptional performance in responding to

multiple protests and civil unrest.

Correctional Officer of the Year – Jessica Dunham

• In recognition of dedication and consistently working above and beyond standard duties,

as well as being instrumental in training new officers as a Correctional Training Officer.

Deputy of the Year – Richard Johnson

• In recognition of excellence as a Field Training Officer and being instrumental in training

new deputies, as well as taking on additional tasks as a member of the SET and Crash

Investigation Team.

Civilian Employee of the Year – Business Office Supervisor Sarah Richards

• In recognition of consistently being positive, professional and efficient in carrying out

duties, including being instrumental in several integral projects.

Lifesaving Award – Communications Officer Anne Hotchkiss (2 Lifesaving Awards)

• Awarded for lifesaving actions to instruct a caller to perform CPR on an individual who

had overdosed. The second award is for instructing a caller to perform CPR on an

individual who was pulseless and not breathing following an overdose.

Lifesaving Award – Correctional Officer Corey Nevin

• Awarded for lifesaving actions to assist an inmate.

Lifesaving Award – Correctional Officer Jessica Dunham

• Awarded for lifesaving actions to prevent an inmate from harming themselves.

Lifesaving Award – Correctional Officer Karla Klei

• Awarded for lifesaving actions to prevent an inmate from harming themselves.

Lifesaving Award – Correctional Officer Kevin Gerretsen

• Awarded for lifesaving actions to assist an inmate.

Lifesaving Award – Correctional Officer Mary Shaw

• Awarded for lifesaving actions to assist an inmate.

Lifesaving Award – Deputy Mathew Ludowise

• Awarded for lifesaving actions provided to an individual following an officer involved

shooting.

Lifesaving Award – Communications Officer Ryan Reichert

• Awarded for lifesaving actions instructing a caller to perform CPR on an individual who

had suffered a life threatening emergency.

Lifesaving Award – Correctional Officer Teressa Wiese

• Awarded for lifesaving actions to assist an inmate.

Meritorious Service Award – Deputy Benjamin Nitsch