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Loved Ones of Milwaukee Police Officers Share Fears

Marti Mikkelson
Milwaukee Police Association President Mike Crivello and several loved ones of police officers shared stories on Tuesday

    

The loved ones of Milwaukee police officers spoke up on Tuesday. Family members want the community to recognize the grave dangers officers face every day and the worries that constantly weigh on their minds.

Family members held a news conference at the police union headquarters. One person who shared her story is Tina Colon. She says her husband was shot while on duty in 2009.

Colon remembers the day she received the phone call.

“It was absolutely horrifying and unfortunately my youngest son handed me the phone, he didn’t know what the call was about but he saw my reaction. He saw that his mom had fallen to the ground, could not talk and could not even respond to their concerns for those split seconds of time when all I could do was try to pick myself up off the ground,” she says.

Colon says her husband is doing okay now, but is no longer an active member of the Milwaukee police force. She says she’s grateful for the outpouring of support from the community and wants people to know what officers go through, trying to protect and serve.

“Our officers are human. They are a person behind that badge, they all have names, they have families, they have loved ones and this is what they choose to do for their job. They still get up every day and they still do this job. We are worried about what is going to happen to our officers during this very difficult time, this time where it appears as if officers have targets on their back,” Colon says.

Colon belongs to Shielded Hearts, a support group for family members of law enforcement officers. It formed in Wisconsin a few years ago.

The group's executive director, Teresa Robinson, says it’s been a trying time with officers being shot frequently making headlines. She implored the community to show even small signs of support for the police.

“It feels like there’s a silent majority of people who actually appreciate our officers. Just hey, thanks so much, I really appreciate that you’re out here keeping our community safe. A handshake, a smile, a wave with all five fingers, that would be excellent,” Robinson says.

Robinson’s husband has served on the Milwaukee police force for 12 years. She says she supports MPD’s policy to equip squads with two officers, after the recent shooting of a lone officer in his car on the south side. Robinson called for the temporary practice to be made permanent.

Marti was a reporter with WUWM from 1999 to 2021.
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