Milwaukee street to be re-named in honor of Michelle Witmer

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A section of Milwaukee's Richards Street will be renamed this coming weekend after Army Specialist Michelle Witmer.

Witmer was killed on April 9, 2004 during an attack by small-arms fire and an improvised explosive device in Baghdad. She was the first female Wisconsin National Guard soldier to be killed in combat.

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele filed the application to rename Richards Street from Capitol Drive to the north after Michelle Witmer; the Milwaukee Common Council unanimously approved the measure.

Specialist Witmer was a member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 32nd Military Police Company; fittingly, the section of road that has been renamed includes the Richards Street Armory, home station of the 32nd Military Police Company.

The "Street Unveiling Ceremony" will be held on Sunday, April 6th at noon at the Richards Street Armory, 4108 N. Richards St.

John and Lori Witmer are expected to be in attendance along with Abele, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Wisconsin National Guard Major General Donald Dunbar.