For those of us who haven’t spent their lives working in public safety as first responders, we may look at our time after work as an opportunity to get away from the responsibilities we face on the job.
For Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Deputy Benjamin Leuzinger, his commitment is 24/7.
One evening after his first shift assignment, as he was traveling southbound on the Hoan Bridge, he noticed an individual leaning over the wall, obviously distressed. He immediately pulled over, put on his flashers, and made contact with the person.
Over the next few minutes he talked with him, explaining that he was worried about him.
“I didn’t know what was going through his mind at the time, I just made an agreement with him, hey, let’s sit down in your car and talk about it,” Deputy Leuzinger said.
After a few minutes, he was able to calm him down, before other deputies arrived, who took him to a local hospital.
Leuzinger cites his faith for putting him in that spot, at that time and on that day, giving him the opportunity to save that man’s life on the bridge.
For his commitment to public safety, and his willingness to step up for others even when he’s not working, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Deputy Benjamin Leuzinger is one of our Salute to Service honorees.
To hear Sheriff’s Deputy Benjamin Leuzinger’s story, listen above.
Steve Scaffidi’s Salute to Service is presented by WaterStone Bank and WTMJ.