Milwaukee Co. Sheriff Clarke says "We've lost a good cop"
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke said in a news conference about the crash that fatally injured Milwaukee County Sheriff's Deputy Sergio Aleman, "We've lost a good cop."
Dep. Aleman died after a collision with a flat bed tow truck in the southbound lanes of I-43 near downtown Milwaukee early Tuesday afternoon, July 31st. Dep. Aleman was conveyed to Froedtert Hospital where he was later pronounced dead from his injuries.
Clarke said Aleman was operating a motorist assistance squad when he crashed into the rear of the flat bed truck. Dep. Aleman suffered catastrophic injuries from the collision. The 21-year-old tow truck worker from N&S Towing was not hurt. Sheriff Clarke said he is in no way responsible for the collision.
Dep. Aleman had apparently handled four incidents earlier in the day. The last one involved helping a fellow deputy with a suspected impaired driver. Sheriff Clarke said Aleman had done what he did on a regular basis -- "heard an officer getting involved and moved quickly to see how he could help."
Sheriff Clarke also pointed out that Dep. Aleman had been involved in the arrest of a serial bank robber on Milwaukee's south side on July 13th. The suspect was believed to be involved in as many as ten bank robberies in the Germantown area. Dashcam video released Wednesday shows Aleman pulling the suspect over, and then handcuffing him.
Sheriff Clarke said Aleman wore Badge 163 and has been with the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department since June 1994. Sheriff Clarke pointed out that on his job application, Aleman wrote, "I've always wanted to be in law enforcement...I would work hard for this department, until I'm 65 if I could."
"I send these men and women out every day, I don`t know if they`re coming back," said Clarke. "Fortunately more times than not, they do. But yesterday was a grim reminder, there`s no guarantee."
Aleman leaves behind a wife, Jenna, and five children (ages 6 - 22). He's a 1991 graduate of Bay View High School in Milwaukee and proudly served in the U.S. Navy.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department has set up the Deputy Sergio Aleman Memorial Fund. Donations can be made at any Tri-City National Bank branch. The proceeds will be turned over to the family in the coming weeks.
The Milwaukee Deputy Sheriff's Association has also set up a trust for Dep. Aleman's family. Donations to this fund can be made to the "Sergio Aleman Memorial Fund" at any M&I, a part of BMO Financial Group Branch. All proceeds will go directly to Dep. Aleman's family.
Flags at the Milwaukee County Courthouse and Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center will be flown at half-staff for 30 days to honor Deputy Aleman.
Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.
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