attitude for excellence

The Sheriff is sponsoring the Attitude for Excellence Program here at Dane County. This is a program that will reward all employees of the Sheriff's Office for attitude and actions which greatly exceed our expectations. In most instances, these actions are brought to our attention by citizen letters of commendation.

The Attitude for Excellence program is a way to remind all of us that our job is to always serve the citizenry as best we are able. Those employees who earn this award will receive a certificate and a special challenge coin. This particular coin is available only to those who receive the award.

2008 Recipients of the Attitude for Excellence Award

• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Paul Thompson after receiving a letter from a citizen expressing her and her family’s gratitude for the dignity in which he handled a call to the residence. 04/30/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Mica Weber after receiving a letter from a citizen thanking him for rescuing her from a huge snow drift. Dep. Weber handled the call with professionalism, while showing warmth, kindness and even humor. 05/01/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Detective William Hendrickson after receiving a letter from the District Attorney’s Office thanking him for the exemplary work he performed on a reckless homicide case. Det. Hendrickson “went above and beyond in this case…and should be commended for his diligence and excellent work.” 05/01/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Jeffrey Radaj after receiving an e-mail via the County Executive’s office from a citizen who was stranded on the Interstate between Janesville and Madison on February 6. Even though Dep. Radaj was off duty, he made repeated walks up and down the roadway checking on people. 05/01/2008.
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Brian Harter after receiving a note attached to a payment of a process check from a local financial institution, thanking him for the hard work performed in locating a vehicle for the institution. 05/01/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Scott Lehmann after receiving a thank you letter from a citizen for providing the level of service to her even though there was a more pressing matter to deal with at the time. The fact that Dep. Lehmann took the time to call her, twice, made a huge impact on her regarding his character. 05/01/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Sergeant. Michael Statz after receiving a letter from Judge Patrick Fiedler, expressing thanks for the outstanding and professional job he performed ensuring that a jury trial ran smoothly. 05/01/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Brian Mell after receiving a letter from Judge Patrick Fiedler, expressing thanks for the outstanding and professional job he performed ensuring that a jury trial ran smoothly. 05/01/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Eric Novotny after receiving a letter from a citizen thanking him for his assistance when a tire blew on her vehicle. Dep. Novotny not only changed the tire, but helped her find the nearest business for her to get a replacement tire. 05/01/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy James Nisius after receiving a letter from a citizen thanking him for his assistance and professionalism regarding a drunk driver who hit a tractor-trailer on the Interstate. 05/01/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Lieutenant. Steven Gilmore after receiving a letter from a citizen thanking him for the timely way Lt. Gilmore responded to and secured the scene of a car accident on Highway 51. 05/01/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Thomas Stokes after receiving a letter from a citizen thanking him for the timely way Dep. Stokes responded to and secured the scene of a car accident on Highway 51. 05/01/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy David Gnacinski after receiving a letter from a citizen thanking him for the timely way Dep. Gnacinski responded to and secured the scene of a car accident on Highway 51. 05/01/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Cindy Holmes after receiving a letter from the Latino Parents Meeting Committee with LaFollette High School expressing their thanks to her for the presentation given regarding drugs and alcohol issues. Deputy Holmes’ “warm personality and charisma” led to a connection with the students. 06/24/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Kyle McNally after receiving a letter from a citizen expressing her thanks for not receiving a ticket while she was going through a rough patch. She was thankful for the kindness and understanding shown to her. 06/24/2008.
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Sgt. Thomas Sankey after receiving a thank you card from a citizen expressing her thanks for his patience, enthusiasm, and kindness during a ride-along. 06/24/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy David Gnacinski after receiving a letter from a citizen thanking him for the timely way Dep. Gnacinski responded to his disabled vehicle and changing the tire. 06/26/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Detective Linda Pederson-Honer after receiving a thank you card from a citizen thanking her for her help in finding answers to a missing person case that was 50 years old. 07/01/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Detective Gwen Ruppert after receiving a thank you card from a citizen thanking her for her help in finding answers to a missing person case that was 50 years old. 07/01/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Lieutenant Steven Gilmore after receiving a thank you card from a citizen thanking him for his help in finding answers to a missing person case that was 50 years old. 07/01/2008
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Coy Bethel after receiving a thank you letter from the Hartford Police Department for assistance, knowledge of, and motivational skills with the youth during their first participation in the National Convention. 09/06/08
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Daniel Frosch after receiving a letter from a citizen expressing thanks for Dep. Frosch taking time to provide some kindly advice during an extremely stressful day for her in court. 09/16/08
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Trenton Schafer after receiving a thank you letter from the District Attorney’s Office for the excellent job taking the initiative and time to research the identity of an intended recipient of a letter sent by an inmate of the jail. Due to those actions, additional charges were brought against the defendant and strengthened the case. 09/16/08
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Randall Wiessinger after receiving a letter from a recently retired Senior Motor Sergeant for the United States Park Police. The letter expressed gratitude and the utmost respect for the professionalism and dedication that Dep. Wiessinger and his motor team showed during Police Week. The writer stated, “…few measure up to the dedication and professionalism of Deputy Wiessinger’s team.” 09/23/08
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Robby Vick after receiving a card from two citizens thanking him for taking the time to return an auto insurance card they lost. 09/23/08
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Todd Endl after receiving a card from Judge Sarah O’Brien, expressing her thanks for the impressive tour of the Courthouse that Dep. Endl gave to the State Courts Security & Facilities Committee. 09/23/08
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Steven French after receiving a card from a citizen thanking him for going “beyond the call of duty” to assist her in retrieving her wallet left at a store in the area. Working with a post office employee, Dep. French had the wallet sent back to the owner at no cost to the owner. 09/23/08
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Detective William Hendrickson after receiving a card from the Office of the Corporation Counsel, expressing how much the Office appreciates working with him. Det. Hendrickson “is thorough and prompt in responses, often providing information on the same day it was requested.” Corporation Counsel also feels Det. Hendrickson is very good at working with families in crisis; being respectful and understanding to them, but pursuing information needed to help. 09/24/08
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Paul Pickar after receiving a letter from a local attorney expressing appreciation for the professional and personal way Dep. Pickar handled the service of documents during a very stressful and volatile case involving a client. 09/24/08
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Civil Process Coordinator Lisa Laue after receiving a letter from a local attorney expressing appreciation for Ms. Laue’s keeping the attorney informed of communications between parties involved in a very stressful case involving a client. 09/24/08
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Michael Block after receiving a letter from Chief Frank Sleeter of the Sun Prairie Police Department expressing appreciation for Dep. Block’s assistance while off-duty. Dep. Block did not hesitate to engage in life-saving measures for someone who was not breathing and did not have a heartbeat. This man is alive and well today because of Dep. Block’s actions. 09/24/08
  
  
• Sheriff Mahoney awarded an Attitude for Excellence to Deputy Dave Lambrecht. Sheriff Mahoney received a letter from Midwest Patrol and Investigative commending Dep. Lambrecht on his "bravery, tactics, valor and humility" in an incident involving MPI Officers and a robbery at a movie theatre. Dep. Lambrecht was credited for his action through the media, but made sure that the MPI Officers were given their just due as well. 10/27/2008