Police Escort for Officer Birkholz

From the Fond du Lac Police department website (http://fdlpolice.com):


In Memory of Officer Craig Birkholz, Badge #67

The Fond du Lac Police Department continues to mourn the tragic death of Fond du Lac Police Officer Craig Birkholz, Badge #67. On behalf of the Police Department, Craig's wife and family we would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming show of support from the Fond du Lac Community, communities throughout the State of Wisconsin, as well as law enforcement agencies across the country as we go through this very challenging time.

Officer Craig Birkholz was a 5-year veteran of the U.S. Army, having proudly served our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has been employed as an officer with the Fond du Lac Police Department for nearly two years. Officer Birkholz was recognized in November of 2010 at the Fond du Lac Police Department's Annual Awards Banquet. Officer Birkholz was part of a group of officers that received an Outstanding Team Effort award for a life-saving incident regarding an incident where a distraught individual was intent on committing "suicide by cop." Due to the actions of Officer Birkholz and the other officers involved, the subject was taken into custody without harm to himself or officers. Chief Tony Barthuly stated that Craig is a hero. When gunfire rang out, most people run the opposite direction. Craig ran toward the incident to assist his fellow officers and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Visitation for Officer Craig Birkholz will be held on Wednesday, March 23, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church located at 271 Fourth Street Way in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. A memorial service will follow the visitation. Both the visitation and memorial service are open to the public. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a Craig Birkholz Memorial Fund. Contributions may be made at any U.S. Bank location.

An additional visitation will occur on Friday, March 25, 2011, at Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home located at 3720 39th Avenue, Kenosha, Wisconsin, beginning at 4 p.m.

An officer line-up and tribute will occur at the Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home beginning promptly at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2011. The officer tribute will be followed by a procession at approximately 10 a.m. to St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 7117 14th Avenue, Kenosha, Wisconsin, for a Mass of Christian Burial. A procession will then occur to the Sunset Ridge Memorial Park for graveside internment and military rites.

RSVP with number of officers and squads for any or all of the above venues is requested and appreciated. Agencies are respectfully requested to don mourning bands upon this notice until midnight on March 26, 2011.

Governor Walker has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff effective immediately through sunset on Saturday, March 26.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Fond du Lac
• police
• procession
• fallen officer
• funeral

[WIfavrefan4ever]

I think it is wonderful that so many people stood along the route with the flags out in honor the the police officer. Looks like a cold windy day. Way to go citizens of Fond du Lac.

[stephenmaster2]

RIP, when i looked out my windows it was like 30 minutes of this.

[teacherhater100]

May you rest in peace officer Craig Birkholz

[timmer72]

May God bless you, Officer Birkholz and all of our Fond du Lac heroes...

[gnomechamp1]

Amazing show of respect and gratitude for this courageous man.

[bordsyko]

We couldn't make it to the procession today, so we were very touched to find this online. May you rest in peace Officer Birkholz!

[slangolf]

Thank you for posting this so us that live in a different state but lived in FDL can watch & pay our respects. 

[sarita065]

A TRUE HERO

May you rest in peace.......

I SALUTE YOU

My prayers are with you, your family, friends and colleagues.

I THANK YOU for your service

You did not lose your life, You gave it in service to others.

A true Hero indeed.........

[jsnasselin]

Thanks for posting this video, this did get posted to the "RIP Fond du Lac Police Officer Craig Birkholz" Page on facebook..

[missiedz]

it was very touching and emmotional!