Ozaukee County, WI – A child’s brave 911 call on October 24, 2025, set in motion a rapid, lifesaving response to a domestic violence incident in the Town of Grafton, leading to multiple awards for first responders and recognition for the child whose courage helped save a life.
According to the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers quickly identified the seriousness of the call and calmly guided the child while gathering critical information. Multiple dispatchers coordinated a swift, multi-agency response, ensuring officers and emergency crews were sent without delay.
Grafton Police Sergeant Eernisse and Officer Brock arrived within minutes and immediately focused on securing the child’s safety. After announcing their presence and entering the residence, gunfire erupted. The officers demonstrated situational awareness by withdrawing from the doorway, issuing commands for the weapon to be dropped, and safely taking the suspect into custody without further injuries, officials said.
Their actions allowed deputies, detectives, fire personnel, and EMS to quickly reach the victim, who was critically injured. First responders provided advanced lifesaving care, including wound packing and chest seals, stabilizing the victim before transport. Authorities confirmed the victim survived due to the coordinated medical response.
Sheriff Christy Knowles formally recognized those involved during an awards presentation, honoring both professional excellence and extraordinary bravery. The Sheriff’s Office Gold Coin of Excellence was presented to Sgt. Eernisse and Officer Brock for placing themselves in harm’s way. Life-Saving Awards went to Detectives Ganey and Gierach and Deputies Tracy and Chang for critical medical intervention.
Additional honors included a Bronze Coin for Grafton Assistant Chief Karpinski for leadership during the emergency, Certificates of Excellence for dispatchers Schwalbe, Krause, Houpt, and Medinger, and a Citizen’s Appreciation Coin awarded to the victim’s young daughter.
Officials said the incident highlights the dangers of domestic violence and the importance of training, teamwork, and strong partnerships across public safety agencies.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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