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Ceremony held honoring fallen Deputy Sergio Aleman
Ceremony held honoring fallen Deputy Sergio Aleman
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- On Wednesday, July 31st uniformed personnel with the Memorial Observance for Fallen Duty gathered at the Call to Duty Memorial Statue on the grounds of the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office Training Academy for a ceremony to honor Deputy Sheriff Sergio Aleman. Aleman was killed during a crash on I-43 one year ago -- on July 31st, 2012.
A resident of Oak Creek, Sergio had served continuously with the Sheriff's Office since 1994 in Detention, Airport, Institutions and Expressway Patrol Divisions. He left behind a wife, Jenna, and five children, ages 23 through his youngest, a now seven-year-old daughter.
Aleman family
"Our agency lost a brave partner and a beloved friend, and the citizens of this county lost a tremendous Deputy Sheriff," Milwaukee County Sheriff's Inspector Edward Bailey said.
Aleman died when his service vehicle rear-ended a tow truck on I-43. He was a 19-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office.
His brother Edwin says it wasn't just a job to him.
"He passed away doing something that he loved doing," Edwin Aleman said.
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke said fellow officers should strive to carry Aleman's spirit and the fire of his enthusiasm.
"Use his memory to inspire us to live and carry out our duties with his passion and his commitment," Sheriff Clarke said.
Retired Captain Mark Stieber helped train Aleman at the Academy. He says he can't forget his smile.
"The training is not the easiest thing in the world and Sergio had some difficulties but he always presented himself, in all of his difficult situations with a smile," Stieber said.
Aleman's name is enshrined on the National Memorial for Fallen Officers, the state memorial, and now, on the Call to Duty memorial at the Sheriff's Office Adacemy.
"He`d be honored, just like our family is honored at the response that we`ve gotten from the community and Sheriff's Department, the Police Department and everybody else," Edwin Aleman said.
Aleman's wife and five children were not in attendance.
On this, the anniversary of his death, his seven-year-old daughter and wife are attending a camp for survivors of loved ones killed in the line of duty.