Milwaukee Police Department's Merit Award Ceremony returns after three years

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Police Department hosted its first Merit Award Ceremony since 2019 on Wednesday, Nov. 9.

More than 40 sworn and non-sworn members of MPD were awarded for their life-saving and life-changing work.

"There's many of us, day to day, working hard for our community," Chief Jeffrey Norman said. 

Two members received standing ovations as they were awarded the highest awards.

Det. Andrew Wilkiewicz and Officer Herbert Davis received the medal of honor and purple valor awards.

"For me, it's extremely humbling that my peers thought that I deserved that award," Wilkiewicz said.

The detective is still physically and mentally recovering after being shot near Shake Shack in Downtown Milwaukee on Jan. 13, 2022.

Although off-duty at the time, Wilkiewicz immediately stepped into action when someone attempted to steal a woman's car.

"It's hard emotionally sometimes to know that you were so close to death but overjoyed that I'm still here," Wilkiewicz said. 

Two weeks after that incident, Officer Davis responded to a welfare check of a person slumped over the steering wheel of a stolen car.

The driver shot at Davis, seriously injuring his shoulder and hip. Davis shot back as the driver sped away. The driver later crashed and was arrested.

"You're appreciative of (the honor), but it was definitely hard hearing it again," Davis said.

Davis and Wilkiewicz were honored for their courage and professionalism in the face of deadly attacks.

"They say you deserve it, you deserve it, but part of me is like I just did my job," Davis said.

Nine citizens also received awards for going above and beyond.

"Good people are out here. We do exist," Sara Ninham said. 

Ninham received a merit award for helping officers hit by a car running a red light.

"I see somebody hurt, just in distress in any way, I'll push a car if it's stalled out or help somebody change a tire on the side of the road. That's just me," Ninham said. 

Awards given on Wednesday included certificate of appreciation, lifesaving, meritorious service, meritorious conduct award, medal of honor, purple valor award, medal of valor-combat award and the unit service award.