Editor’s note: All six of our area Sheriff’s Offices (Barron, Burnett, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer, and Washburn) responded to a recent survey and therefore received a donation to buy new equipment. DrydenWire contacted each of our area Sheriffs to find out what they are planning to purchase with the funds.
BURNETT COUNTY -- The Burnett County Sheriff’s Office is about to get some new equipment after receiving an anonymous donation.
In the fall of 2021, the Badger State Sheriff’s Association (BSSA) learned of an individual interested in making an anonymous donation to enhance the safety of law enforcement personnel in Wisconsin. In response, the BSSA contacted the Law Enforcement Foundation of Barron County (LEFBC) to engage that organization’s partnership in accepting such a donation. The BSSA then undertook the creation of the 2021 BSSA Safety First Initiative to survey the 72 Wisconsin Sheriffs on their safety needs.
A total of fifty-three Sheriffs responded to the BSSA Safety First survey with equipment needs that exceeded 1.4 million dollars. The results of the survey were provided to the anonymous donor who, reiterating a desire to help keep law enforcement officers in Wisconsin safe while handling high-risk events, determined to fully fund the requested equipment.
Burnett County Sheriff Tracy Finch was among the 53 that responded to the survey and received a donation to purchase new equipment.
DrydenWire: How much money did you request/receive?
Sheriff Finch: $29,000
DrydenWire: What equipment will you be purchasing with this donation?
Sheriff Finch: We will be using the money toward the purchase of a robot for our Emergency Response Team.
DrydenWire: Why did you choose this equipment?
Sheriff Finch: The robot will assist our Emergency Response Team in several ways. It will give us the ability to search property and homes for suspects, breach doors, disable vehicles and provide two-way audio and video communications with suspects. This will significantly reduce the risk to our deputies and the suspects.
DrydenWire: What would you like to say to the anonymous donor?
Sheriff Finch: Your very generous donation allowed us to make a significant purchase that we may have never been able to afford. Burnett County is one of the most impoverished counties in the state. Your generosity reminds us that we do still have a lot of support from our community members. We cannot begin to express our gratitude and would like to extend a very heartfelt Thank You!
Last Update: Mar 15, 2022 5:03 pm CDT
