Matthew Rittner among MPD officers honored at Merit Awards

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - Dozens of Milwaukee police officers were honored Tuesday, including fallen officer Matthew Rittner.

It was part of the MPD Spring Merit Awards.

Today’s awards focus on officers and civilians who went above and beyond in the line of duty, with everything from rescues to life saving acts.

Officer Rittner, who was killed on the job in February, received the Medal of Honor, the department’s highest award.

His family was on hand to receive it on his behalf.

But his was one of many names read off Tuesday, including Detective Thomas Obregon.

He was given the Meritorious Service Award for convincing a suicidal man with a knife to his throat, that he shouldn’t kill himself.

“He started understanding and realizing that this isn’t just a police officer this isn’t just people trying to force us to go to jail, he actually cares, which I did, I didn’t want him to hurt himself, I didn’t want him to do anything bad,” said Det. Obregon.

It took the detective hours to talk the man down, and the man actually asked for a hug at the end.

In all, more than 50 officers, as well as civilians like nurses and first responders, were honored Tuesday. To see the full 2019 Spring Merit Awards Booklet, see below.