75 law enforcement agents, 16 citizens honored at MPD's "Spring Merit Awards" ceremony

75 law enforcement agents, 16 citizens honored at MPD`s “Spring Merit Awards” ceremony

75 law enforcement agents, 16 citizens honored at MPD`s "Spring Merit Awards" ceremony

MILWAUKEE -- Seventy-five Milwaukee police officers were recognized Wednesday evening, May 11th for their heroic and often life-saving actions in the field. This, as the Milwaukee Police Department held its "Spring Merit Awards" ceremony.

Sgt. Michael Karwoski

Sgt. Michael Karwoski was one of those honored.

The incident for which Sgt. Karwoski was commended happened on December 8th near 76th and Townsend in Milwaukee.

Body camera footage shows police responding to a home in that area, where a suspect was holding hostages in a basement.

"It was a very tense situation," Sgt. Karwoski said.

76th & Townsend

Body camera video from incident near 76th and Townsend

Sgt. Michael Karwoski

On Wednesday night, Sgt. Karwoski and his team received service and rescue awards for bringing this case to a peaceful outcome.

"Finally gunfire came from the basement, so we went down and tried to rescue the people down there with him," Sgt. Karwoski said.

Karwoski said the officers inside the home that night trained extensively for situations like this -- and under pressure, found strength in each other.

He and his team represented some of the 75 law enforcement agents recognized at the biannual "Merit Awards" ceremony.

MPD Merit Awards ceremony

Others were honored for their quick response to a deadly shooting that happened moments after the city's Fourth of July fireworks ended in downtown Milwaukee, as well as the speedy apprehension of a violent felon after a brutal south side stabbing.

Tariq Akbar killed in shooting near N. Lake Drive

Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn

"This evening, we get to celebrate the heroism," Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn said.

The officers on the front line said it is not about the recognition. It's about the results.

"We don`t really look for the awards in what we do. We try to be quiet professionals if we can and just move on to the next job," Karwoski said.

MPD Merit Awards ceremony

In addition to the awards for officers, there were also 16 awards presented to citizens.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Chief Flynn both thanked the group for their dedicated service.