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K-9 of fallen Wisconsin officer starts new job at school in Wautoma

Grizz, the K-9 partner of fallen Chetek Police Officer Emily Breidenbach, is assigned to be the school resource officer at Parkside School in Wautoma, Wisconsin.
Credit: Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles

WAUTOMA, Wis. — Summer is winding down, so it won't be long before students, teachers and faculty members return to the classroom.

Some students in Wautoma, Wisconsin will have an additional friendly — and furry — face added to their class this school year.

Grizz, the K-9 partner of fallen Chetek Police Officer Emily Breidenbach, is assigned to the school resource officer at Parkside School in Wautoma. On Wednesday, the pup took a tour of the school to visit the classrooms he'll be patrolling throughout the school year. 

Grizz worked alongside Officer Breidenbach until she was killed in the line of duty back in April while conducting a traffic stop. Grizz was taken in by Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles, a western Wisconsin pet service, and joined the Wautoma Police Department as a therapy dog. He'll now work as a school resource officer at Parkside.

Posted by Wautoma Police Department on Wednesday, August 23, 2023

According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), Breidenbach and Cameron police officer Hunter Scheel pulled over a vehicle on April 8, 2023, knowing that the driver of the SUV was wanted on a warrant for failing to pay child support. Authorities said 50-year-old Glenn Douglas Perry also exhibited concerning behavior following a contentious divorce.

During an encounter on the side of County Road SS near the intersection with Highway 8, Perry fatally shot the 32-year-old Breidenbach and the 23-year-old Scheel. The suspect was also hit by gunfire and died later at a local hospital.

Credit: The Chetek Alert
Chetek Police Officer Emily Breidenbach and Officer Grizz read to students at Roselawn Elementary School for Read Across America Day on March 2, 2023.

According to a post by Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles, Grizz was with Breidenbach in her final moments.

The community responded with several events to honor Breidenbach and Scheel, including a vigil where thousands of people gathered to pay tribute to the two fallen officers.

 

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