3 local officers receive life saving awards

Langlade County Sheriff Mark Westen presented life saving awards to Sergeant Brenda Malitz, Corrections Officer Ted Skarlupka, and Corrections Officer Craig Resch at the monthly county board meeting Tuesday morning, August 21.

On June 27, at about 1:30pm an inmate in a maximum security block tied a sheet to the security fencing on the 2nd level of the Langlade County Jail.  The inmate quickly climbed over a railing, wrapped a make shift noose around his neck and lowered himself down.  Jail control notified Sergeant Malitz, and Corrections Officers Resch and Skarlupka of the emergency. Officers Resch and Skarlupka responded to the housing unit, ascended the stairs and grabbed the inmate by the shoulders and arm.  Sgt. Malitz responded to the area directly under the inmate and pushed him up from his feet.  The subject was a 6’ 2”, 160 lb. male. He was unconscious.

The extraordinary effort it took to lift this subject over the railing is a testament to the honor and dedication in which these officers serve and protect the citizens of Langlade County.

Sheriff Mark Westen stated to the members of the Langlade County Board of Supervisors and those in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting, “Our corrections officers have an extraordinarily difficult job, and though they do excellent work each and every day, their work for the most part goes unnoticed. We were very proud to be able to acknowledge these corrections officers with the recognition they absolutely deserved. Without a doubt, they saved a life that day, and did so acting with professionalism and bravery.”