Responding Officers: Telecommunicator Kirk Merrill, Deputy Eric Kamholz, Deputy Mitch Butterbrodt

By Sheriff Tim Wilz

On June 12, 2023, at approximately 2:05 a.m., the Waupaca County Communications Center received a 911 call with no voice contact. The call was answered by Telecommunicator Kirk Merrill. Telecommunicator Merrill, established the location of the call based on the coordinates from the 911 call. Deputy Eric Kamholz and Deputy Mitch Butterbrodt were dispatched to an address in the Village of Scandinavia.

Deputies arrived at the residence and attempted to make contact with the caller but were unable to do so. Telecommunicator Merrill continued looking into the call and advised deputies that in a previous call, the female resident stated she would attempt suicide in the garage with the vehicle running. Deputies were able to gain entry into the garage and located an unconscious female in the running vehicle. The deputies estimated the garage to have a temperature of 120-130 degrees due to the running vehicle.

Deputies were able to turn the vehicle off and open doors for ventilation. The female began to regain consciousness. The female attempted further harmful actions, which were stopped by the deputies. Deputies provided medical care on scene until EMS arrived and later transported her to the hospital.

Without the quick-thinking actions of Telecommunicator Merrill, Deputy Kamholz, and Deputy Butterbrodt, the outcome of this situation would have been tragic. I thank Telecommunicator Merrill, Deputy Kamholz, and Deputy Butterbrodt for their exceptional teamwork, which allows me to present them with this life-saving award.