Wills for Heroes Makes Police, Fire Personnel Ask the Hard Questions

What if tomorrow morning, you didn't wake up? Or, what if you never made it to pick up your kids from school today because your car was sideswiped by another?

Or, if you're a police officer of firefighter, what if you are killed in the line of duty?

Sad to think about? Yes. Important to think about? Absolutely, and Deputy Inspector Brad Wentlandt makes sure the Greenfield police and fire personnel are not just thinking about it, but also talking about it and taking preemptive action on the worst-case scenarios they face daily.

On Saturday at the , a number of volunteers were helping out Wills for Heroes - Wisconsin, an organization that provides a free last will and testament, medical power of attorney, living will and financial power of attorney for police officers and firefighters and their spouse or significant other.

It was the second Wills for Heroes clinic hosted by Wentlandt and the police department in two months. On Saturday, 42 officers and their spouses/significant others took advantage of the free service after 48 did so in February.

"The reason we’re hosting clinics here is because I am very passionate that every officer should have a will and should have a frank discussion with their spouse about their wishes in the event of a tragedy," Wentlandt said. "The recent fatal shooting of Officer (Craig) Birkholtz in Fond du Lac and the wounding of Officer Ryan Williams is a poignant reminder of the need to pre-plan."

Wentlandt became an advocate of pre-planning when his friend, Steve Rypel, died of a heart attack while water skiing last September. Rypel was just 37 years old.

"He was single and had no will," Wentlandt said. "His parents are still working through probate to handle his estate and assets.

"Back in December, I conducted department-wide training on several new policies and as part of that training session, I told our officers about Steve and showed them this video."

Wills for Heroes - Wisconsin operates as part of the National Wills for Heroes Foundation, which was founded after hundreds of police and fire personnel were killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center. The attorneys who volunteer their time do so through Wills for Heroes – Wisconsin.