Gov. Scott Walker last week presented Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Division of State Patrol awards to individuals who demonstrated exemplary service and courageous actions, including saving lives.
Wisconsin State Patrol Sergeant Robert Hartson of Merrill was among those honored. In addition to his duties as the supervisor of 10 inspectors in the North Central Region, Sgt. Hartson has taken on the responsibility for coordinating the State Patrol’s Honor Guard unit. He is responsible for the training and deployment of Honor Guard members throughout the state. During the past year, the Honor Guard participated in more than 30 events at which Sgt. Hartson often served as the officer-in-charge. On several occasions, he sacrificed personal time and vacation to fulfill this role. For his outstanding service and dedication, Sgt. Hartson received the Commendable Service Award.
At the awards ceremony at the State Capitol in Madison, State Patrol Superintendent Stephen Fitzgerald said, “Our agency celebrated its 75th anniversary on Sept. 1. And during our 75-year history, the men and women of the State Patrol have shown exceptional dedication to making our highways and communities safer. But the award recipients have demonstrated exemplary courage and expertise that go beyond the State Patrol’s high standards for traffic and public safety. Furthermore, their commendable actions typically were performed under stressful and dangerous conditions.”
“These honorees have demonstrated professionalism and courage, bravery and compassion,” Governor Walker added. “Their dedicated service, and the character demonstrated by their actions, shows what incredible men and women we have serving in the Wisconsin State Patrol. These awards recognize those who go above and beyond their duty, placed themselves in harm’s way, sustained injury, or gave their life protecting others.”