Wisconsin Chapter
Promotions
Charles Ashbeck, NA Session 266, the former West Salem police chief accepted the position of police chief of the Onalaska Police Department on August 26, 2019, after 12 years in West Salem. Ashbeck previously served 11 years as a police sergeant at the Racine Police Department. He holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and law from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has completed the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University Center for Public Safety.
Chad Brecklin, NA Session 257, was promoted to Police Chief of the Fitchburg Police Department on January 21, 2019. Brecklin, an 18 year veteran of the department worked his way up through the department, holding several positions since his hiring in 1999.
Jeremy Geiszler, NA Session 252, has been promoted to Captain at the Middleton Police Department. Captain Geiszler has been with the department since 2002. He served as a School Resource Officer at Middleton High School in 2008 and 2009 and was promoted to Sergeant in 2009. Captain Geiszler has served as the Investigative Services Bureau supervisor, patrol supervisor, FTO supervisor and is the Special Events Team commander. Captain Geiszler holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin, and is completing his Master’s Degree at UW-Platteville. Captain Geiszler took over the Administrative Captain position on July 8, 2019.
Dan Neumer, NA Session 259, was promoted to Police Chief/Administrator with the Village of Chenequa on September 5, 2019. . Chief Neumer has been with the Village of Chenequa for the past 7 years. Prior to his promotion he served at the ranks of Sergeant and Captain.
Alex Ramirez, NA Session 220, was promoted to the rank of Inspector with the Milwaukee Police Department on July 28, 2019. Inspector Ramirez has been a member of the Milwaukee Police Department since March of 1991. Following graduation from the Police Academy, he was assigned to patrol duties in District 6. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1997, Lieutenant in 2001, Captain in 2017 and Inspector in 2019. Throughout his career, he has been assigned to a number of department work locations, including the Narcotics Division/HIDTA, Districts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, Communications Division, Internal Affairs Division, Intelligence Fusion Center, and Office of Management Analysis and Planning. Inspector Ramirez holds a master’s degree in Public Service specializing in Administration of Justice and a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Law Studies from Marquette University. While at Marquette, he also obtained a graduate certificate in Law Enforcement Leadership and Management. Inspector Ramirez is also a 2017 graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Manage-ment Institute for Police.
Retirements
Donald Bates, NA Session 222 retired as Deputy Chief of the Fitchburg Police Department on Janaury 21, 2019. Deputy Chief Bates joined the Fitchburg Police Department in 1986 and in 1993 was promoted to detective. During his time as a detective, Don served four years with the Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force. In 2000, Don was promoted to Deputy Police Chief. Don also served as Interim Chief of Police in 2017. In total, Don served 33 years with Fitchburg PD. Throughout his years of service Don received many accolades, commendations, and awards. He led numerous initiatives within the department and throughout Dane County. Most importantly though, Don will be remembered as a selfless leader who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of the Fitchburg Police Department and the community.
Steve Britt, NA Session 240, retired from the Middleton Police Department on August 16, 2019 following 26 years of service. He began his law enforcement career with the Montana Highway Patrol in 1987. Captain Britt came to the Middleton Police Department in 1993 where he served as a Patrol Officer, School Resource Officer, Detective, Detective Sergeant and Patrol Sergeant for this Department. Most recently Captain Britt was in charge of Administrative Services, which includes records, court services, dispatch and licensing.
Robert Douglas, NA Session 188, retired following a 29-year career with the Chenequa Police Department. Bob began his law enforcement career as a Reserve Police Officer with the Village of Mukwonago in 1982. He also served as a part-time officer with the Town of Mukwonago and Village of North Prairie prior to being hired as an officer in Chenequa in 1990. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1995 and to the dual position Police Chief and Village Administrator from 2000 until his retirement.
Bob earned an undergraduate degree in criminal justice/public administration in 1996 and graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1997. He served as president of the WI FBINAA Chapter in 2012.
Michael Keller, NA Session 193, retired as Captain from the Port Washington Police Department on September 17th following 42 years of distinguished service. Mike began his law enforcement career right out of high school as a Reserve Officer with PWPD. He was hired as a patrolman in June, 1977, promoted to Sergeant in 1982, and promoted as the department’s first Captain in 1993. Captain Keller also served as “acting” Chief from 2004-2005. As a firm believer in life-long learning, Mike graduated from Northwestern Staff & Command in 1991, the WI Law Enforcement Executive Development course in 1993, earned an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice/Management from Concordia University in 1993, graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1998, completed the WI Certified Public Manager program in 2007, and became the first member of the department to earn a graduate degree, completing a Master of Public Administration degree through the University of Phoenix in 2015. Captain Keller also completed numerous FBI-LEEDA courses, receiving the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award in 2011. Mike was extremely active in a wide array of professional and community service organizations throughout his career, serving in each of the WI FBINAA Chapter board positions, culminating with president in 2005. He currently serves as the chapter’s historian. Mike cites the opportunity to attend the FBINA as the highlight of his career, together with the networking, lifelong friendships, and ongoing opportunities that are a direct result of the FBINA experience.
Patrick McKeough, NA Session 234, retired on August 12, 2019 after twenty-nine years of outstanding dedication and service to the City of Fond du Lac Police Department. Captain McKeough began his career with the Police Department in 1990 as a Police Officer. During the course of his career he was promoted through the ranks of the Department, holding the positions of Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. After his first promotion in 2003, to the rank of Sergeant, he was assigned to the Patrol Division as a supervisor. He remained assigned to the Patrol Division following his 2004 promotion to Lieutenant, and his 2008 promotion to the rank of Captain. In 2012, he was assigned as the Commander of the Criminal Investigation Division where he served until his retirement.
Through the course of his distinguished career, Captain McKeough also served in a number of other highly specialized capacities, including as a Field Training Officer, Field Training Supervisor, and as a member of the Department’s SWAT Team where he held the position of Shield operator. Eventually, he was appointed as the SWAT Team Assistant Team Leader.
Duane Scott, NA Session 230, retired from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on June 17, 2019 following a 33-year career with the department. During Duane’s tenure with the Sheriff’s Office he became one of their first full-time Community Oriented Policing officers. He also served as a member of the boat and snowmobile patrol, FTO, crime prevention and traffic safety officer. Captain Scott was promoted to jail Sergeant in August of 1998, and then transferred to the Patrol Division as a Sergeant in 2001. Captain Scott was promoted to Captain in 2004, serving as Administrtive, Jail, and Patrol Captain.
Passings
On behalf of the Wisconsin Chapter, our sincere sympathy to the family, loved ones, friends, and associates of:
Jerry Edward Weissmuller, NA Session 142, Milwaukee Police Department, EOW – October 15, 2019
David J. Mayer, NA Session 101, Eau Claire County Sheriff Department, EOW – November 20, 2019