Oconto County officers among those recognized for helping sex, child assault victims

Members of The Other Guys Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club are seen with their Excellence in Advocacy Award presented on April 2 by Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin. Left to right are: Glenn Sowle of the Oconto Police Department, Dale Liebergen of the Oconto Falls Police Department (retired), Ron Ripley of the Oconto County Sheriff's Office, Mike Short of the Florence County Sheriff's Office, Adam Heynen of the Shawano County Sheriff's Office, Justen Ragen of the Oconto County Sheriff's Office, and Keith Fischer of the Oconto Falls Police Department. Missing was Karl Gorlinger of the Marinette County Sheriff's Office.(Photo: Kent Tempus/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)Buy Photo

GREEN BAY - A small group of law enforcement officers and a victim/witness specialist for Brown County were presented an Excellence in Advocacy Awards on Monday by Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin.

With their annual “A Ride to Advocate,” The Other Guys Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club has raised more than $33,000 in three years for the Sexual Assault Center and Willow Tree Cornerstone Child Advocacy Center, which are operated by the nonprofit human services agency.

The Other Guys formed in September 2013 with just three members and held its first ride less than two years later.

Club president Justen Ragen said one member had recently worked with both organizations on a case suggested SAC and Willow Tree would benefit from the ride.

“It was really a no-brainer for us, because throughout our careers we’ve seen the services that both those organizations have provided to the victims of these heinous crimes (and) to their families,” said Ragen, an investigator with the Oconto County Sheriff’s Department.

SAC and Willow Tree, he added, assist law enforcement in their investigations, provide information to District Attorney offices for prosecution, coordinate and work with Human Services Departments to conduct follow-through, and help with the families and victims in the long term.

“With their hard work and dedication of the volunteers and employees of the SAC and Willow Tree, (the ride) was the least we could do to show our support and build awareness for them,” Ragen said.

This year’s ride is Aug. 11. The 100-mile ride for motorcycles, classic cars – “or any vehicle, for that matter,” Ragen said, starts and ends at Wouter’s Sports Bar in Little Suamico. After the ride, there’s raffles and entertainment.

The first three rides raised $6,600, $11,500 and $15,000, which Ragen said wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of many volunteers, family and friends, and business sponsors that donate cash and prizes.

The money has been used to help with advocacy staffing, assisting clients and other day-to-day costs, said Kristie Sickle, the program supervisor for Willow Tree.

The other Excellence in Advocacy Award was present to Leslie Landry, who has worked in the Brown County District Attorney’s Office since 1995, the last six as victim/witness specialist.

“She does a great job communicating with the Sexual Assault Center, collaborating on cases to make sure victims are supported and arranges services to victims through SAC,” said Christiana Van Seth, the SAC program supervisor.