Milwaukee County law enforcement, community members honored for heroism at annual awards ceremony

 

MILWAUKEE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Annual awards were handed out Tuesday night by Denita Ball in her first year as Milwaukee County sheriff. 

Sergeant Steven Geason can tell you what it's like to protect life from the very first breath. He was in the emergency room at Froedtert the day a vehicle pulled up fast. 

"So, I just went out there cause a lot of times just get a wheelchair, help them out. I opened the front door and there she was," said Sgt. Geason. 

Geason's being honored for catching a newborn baby. The baby was born so fast, mom didn't have time to get out of the car. 

The awards ceremony, held at the War Memorial, invited honorees and their family and friends.

"We recognize and present awards that represent the essence of the values of what our community embodies," said Sheriff Ball.

The sheriff called each an inspiring story of heroism and resilience, quick thinking, and in many times, lifesaving.

Some stories involved the use of Narcan to save a life. In others, it was about bringing closure to a victim's family. 

"The sheriff's office got called for a person that was thrown into the pond, or left by the pond, and was seriously injured and assaulted," said Detective Brian Conte. 

It was 2020 when Ee Lee was sexually assaulted and left for dead in Washington Park. She died days later. Detective Brian Conte didn't rest until the case was solved. 

"I was assigned as the lead, but it was a team effort and we worked on it for a long time, multiple months, multiple interviews," he said. 

Ultimately, two young men who took part in the crime will now spend dozens of years behind bars. 

Sheriff Ball says it's been a difficult couple of years, and these men and women have risen above. 

"We've seen a decrease in our staffing, and so it shows, tonight shows that even though we have decreased staffing, we still have people doing great things."

Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball says the sheriff's office is hiring. 

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