dale brunner hall of fame inductees
Special Olympics Wisconsin created the Law Enforcement Torch Run Dale Brunner Hall of Fame Award In 1999. Named after Wisconsin’s first Director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.
This award was created to continually recognize Wisconsin’s outstanding individuals who have significantly contributed to the statewide success of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The following individuals have gone above and beyond, making a difference with volunteer opportunities that support the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympic athletes of Wisconsin.
2023 INDUCTEE
CHRIS TARMANN
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - OSHKOSH
SHARI KACZMARKSKI
DAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
2018 INDUCTEE
BRIAN ZIMMERMAN
RACINE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
2017 INDUCTEE
Niki Nelson
2016 INDUCTEES
RICHARD DRESSLER
GRANT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
MATTHEW HARPER
WINNECONNE POLICE DEPARTMENT & SOWI
SARA KNAPP
SHIOCTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
DEAN WENDLANDT
SHEBOYGAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
“Special Olympics has become part of my life for the past 21 years.
Acting on behalf of Grant County Law Enforcement, I raise money each year for Special Olympics and train to ride my bicycle from my home to the opening ceremonies at Stevens Point, a distance of about 212 miles.
I am proud to be part of such a great organization.”
– Richard Dressler, Grant County Sheriff’s Office
“Dale’s ability to connect Wisconsin Law Enforcement and the athletes of Special Olympics has in my humble opinion, saved countless lives. Law Enforcement professionals see and go through things that can have a lasting effect on them. The athletes provide an outlet that showcases pure love, happiness and admiration that will never be matched. The athletes of Special Olympics have done more for me than I could ever do for them. Thank you Dale for blazing the trail.”
– Matthew Harper, Winneconne Police Department & SOWI
2015 INDUCTEES
ANDREW J. DEWITT
WISCONSIN RAPIDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
DAVID KLEINHANS
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
ROBERT ROESKE
ROTHSCHILD POLICE DEPARTMENT
“As I reflect on the honor of being an inductee (2015) to the Dale Brunner Hall of Fame I am reminded that this recognition is not so much for what I have done in the past, but more importantly about my commitment, obligation, and sense of responsibility to continue Dale’s work motivating others for a higher purpose. Dale was passionate about helping individuals with cognitive disabilities and their families find meaningful ways to connect, love, cherish, and grow together with each other and their respective communities.. This is the Dale Brunner legacy that we accept as Dale Brunner Hall of Fame inductees.”
-Andrew Dewitt, Wisconsin Rapids Police Department
2014 INDUCTEES
LORI CASPER
DANE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JEFF SMITH
WEST ALLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT
COLLEEN HANDRICK
GLOBE UNIVERSITY
2013 INDUCTEES
DENNIS ALLDRIDGE
SPECIAL OLYMPICS WISCONSIN
MARK MAUTHE
MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT
JENNIFER MERLIN
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
“I am honored to be part of an organization that Dale had such a huge role in bringing to Wisconsin. Being part of LETR and SOWI has brought more to me than I can ever return.”
– Mark Mauthe, Menasha Police Department
2012 INDUCTEES
MARK HORSTMANN
VERONA POLICE DEPARTMENT
JOHN GRAHAM
FOND DU LAC POLICE DEPARTMENT
2011 INDUCTEES
DAVE GERBER
WALWORTH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
KATHY SCHULT
MILWAUKEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
“”Dale is one of the few people we meet throughout life’s journey who are larger than life. He brought LETR to Wisconsin and devoted his life to furthering this mission. I was honored to have known him. At the end of our days we look back and ask ourselves, have we led a good life, did we make a difference? Dale definitely did and although he may not have realized his impact, the thousands affected by what he accomplished certainly do. I was humbled and honored to have served as a Director of the LETR State Council. In that position Dale was always on my mind guiding me. He was my validation test as I asked myself what would Dale do (WWDD). Knowing he would approve guided our decisions. The LETR family will never forget Dale and his legacy will live forever in our hearts and minds.”
– Dave Gerber, Walworth County Sheriff’s Office
2010 INDUCTEES
JENNY LEBELLE
WINNEBAGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
GENE ROUSSEAU
BROWN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
MICHAEL TEEM
RALIEIGH N.C. POLICE DEPARTMENT
HONORARY
2009 INDUCTEE
DARYL PRIES
CADOTT POLICE DEPARTMENT
2008 INDUCTEES
DAN BRAUER
GLENDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT
TAMMY KUBISAIAK
GRAND RAPIDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
“Dale’s dedication to the athletes and families of Special Olympics Wisconsin continues to inspire those who knew him. It is nothing short of an honor to be a member of the Dale Brunner Hall of Fame.”
– Dan Brauer, Glendale Police Department
2007 INDUCTEES
PEGGY FRANK
CITY OF EAU CLAIRE
MARK MOAN
JACKSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
2006 INDUCTEES
RICHARD LAMUNYON
FOUNDER LETR
JOHN GRAHAM
FOND DU LAC POLICE DEPARTMENT
COLLEEN HANDRICK
GLOBE UNIVERSITY
RAY MERLIN
KENOSHA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
ANTHONY ZBLEWSKI
STEVENS POINT POLICE DEPARTMENT
“It is a great honor to be included in such an amazing group of people that have dedicated their energies to support the Athletes of Special Olympics, and the legacy of the Law Enforcement Torch Run that Dale started here in Wisconsin.”
– Anthony Zblewski, Stevens Point Police Department
2005 INDUCTEES
JULIE (BUEDDING) DRAKE
SPECIAL OLYMPICS WI.
LISA WALTER
UW-STOUT POLICE DEPARTMENT
“Dale served as a mentor to me and so many others. He shared his passion, love and unending devotion for Special Olympics athletes with everyone he met. Dale ignited a spark within Wisconsin’s law enforcement officers and I’m sure he never imagined that more than $31.5 million would be raised through the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Wisconsin since its inception through 2016. Dale Brunner left behind an incredible legacy and it is up to all of us to carry the Flame of Hope for the athletes of Special Olympics.”
– Julie Buedding Drake, SOWI
2004 INDUCTEES
JOHN FISCHER
NEW BERLIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
RETIRED
GERRY FLUNKER
APPLETON POLICE DEPARTMENT
“Being inducted into the Dale Brunner HOF on behalf of Special Olympic athletes in 2004, was, and remains the pinnacle of a now 40 year career in Law enforcement!”
– Gerry Flunker, Appleton Police Department
2003 INDUCTEES
ANDREW GARCIA
MADISON POLICE DEPARTMENT
RETIRED
2002 INDUCTEES
JOHN BOYER
ONEIDA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
RETIRED
JASON PLAZA
MARATHON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
“Receiving the Dale Brunner Award was one of the most memorable moments of my Special Olympics WI tenure.
From the first time I met Dale, there was an instant link to him-I am proud and humbled to be forever connected to Dale and all he stood for.”
– Jason Plaza, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office
2001 INDUCTEES
JAMES BRIGGS
MARINETTE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
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JOHN CHAREWICZ
PORTAGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
2000 INDUCTEE
DOUG ROSEMEYER
1999 INDUCTEE
THE onalaska police department
CHIEF RANDY WILLIAMS
ONALASKA POLICE DEPARTMENT