Milwaukee County Sheriff Earnell Lucas' last day on job, gift to memorial

Earnell Lucas ended his tenure as Milwaukee County sheriff on Sunday, Oct. 23. On his last day, Lucas gave back to his community.

"I can’t think of any better way to go out than for me to do something for those who have served and sacrificed in this profession," said Lucas.

In his last act as sheriff, Lucas presented a gift of $10,000 from the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office to the nonprofit Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department Memorial Committee to assist with much-needed repairs to the fallen deputies' memorial, also known as the "Call to Duty Memorial." 

"I have been so wonderfully blessed to be the sheriff of Milwaukee County," said Lucas.

The memorial, which consists of a statue of a kneeling deputy atop an eight-sided pedestal, signifies the eight-hour shifts worked by deputies and bears the names of the 13 deputy sheriffs who have died in the line of duty since August 1915. It sits in a circular brick "garden" at the Sheriff’s Office Training Academy in Franklin.

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In recent years, the memorial has fallen into disrepair and could require more than $15,000 in corrective work, a news release said.

Lucas moving on

Lucas announced his resignation Friday, Oct. 21. Starting Monday, Oct. 24 he will serve as Fiserv’s vice president of security for Wisconsin.

"I look forward to the next chapter in a long career of service and adding value to the Milwaukee community," said Lucas. "I am excited to be joining a team of security professionals in the Global Security and Investigations Unit with a FORTUNE™ 500 company and one of FORTUNE Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies."

Milwaukee County Sheriff Earnell Lucas

In this new role, Lucas will be involved in every aspect of physical security, integrity investigations, and all other incidents impacting Fiserv, according to a press release from the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office. 

"I’m going to miss the dedication and commitment of so many wonderful people," said Lucas. "I have great confidence that the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office will be in great hands."

Lucas brings 40 years of law enforcement and public safety experience to his new role, including four years as Milwaukee County’s chief law enforcement executive. 

Sheriff-Elect Denita Ball is now at the helm of the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.