Passing the police torch

It’s not a changing of the guard in the Saukville Police Department. Maybe a passing of the torch.

Last week, Police Chief Robert Meyer promoted to lieutenant Pat Kosmosky, who joined the department in 2006, the same year as Meyer, and hired Nick Goetz, son of former chief Jeff Goetz, as the department’s latest officer.

As lieutenant, Kosmosky replaces Meyer as second in command of the department.

Kosmosky was with the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department for three years before coming to Saukville.

Meyer said Kosmosky has an impressive array of skills that benefits the Saukville Police Department and other law enforcement.

“He has a long list of instructor certifications in law enforcement standards, handgun and rifle and tactical response.” Meyer said.

“He has been a unified active shooter response instructor for all the agencies in Ozaukee County.”

In his new position, Kosmosky will be in charge of scheduling day-to-day patrol shifts and other operations and will oversee all training of the department’s 12-person staff.

For Goetz, whose first day on the job was Jan. 8, joining the Saukville Police Department, where his father worked for 33 years, is fulfillment of a dream he has had since he was a little boy.

“I grew up wanting to be a police officer, from about 7 years old,” he said.

Goetz, 26, is a third-generation cop. He attended the police academy at Milwaukee Area Technical College and has been a police officer for the Town of Dover in Racine County and campus security at Concordia University in Mequon.

His grandfather, Fred Goetz, was a Grafton cop for more than 40 years, attaining the rank of lieutenant that included a stint as acting police chief.

“I’m extremely proud of him that he’s got this far,” said Jeff Goetz, who was Saukville chief for five years before retiring last May. As a lieutenant, Jeff Goetz was part of the team that hired Meyer and Kosmosky. 

As a family, the three Goetzes already have 75 years in law enforcement.

“If he (Nick) finishes his career there, we should be over 100 years,” Jeff Goetz said.

“Nick chose to do this with his life, and he has  worked extremely hard to get where he is, and we’re very happy he will be in Saukville.”

Growing up, Nick Goetz was a regular presence at the Saukville police station.

“He has always been around,” Meyer said. “We’re a tight-knit group of officers. Kids are here on our off time. We all know each other.

“When he started getting into police sciences, he started doing ride-alongs. Many more than the usual person in that position. He rode a number of times with me.”

Meyer said that familiarity with Nick Goetz helped when a position on the force needed to be filled.

“It all goes back to what we look for when we hire somebody,” Meyer said. “People of good character, good morals, good work ethic — these are things we can’t teach.

“They are things that have to be instilled in them growing up, so when we find someone with those characteristics, we go after them. 

“When this position came up, we thought about pursuing Nick,” he said.

Nick Goetz said he’s ready.

“It was a job I was waiting for,” he said. “It was always a dream of mine to work  for the Village of Saukville.

“I think Saukville is a great village, and I really like the people here. I’m looking forward to working for Chief Meyer. I’m very excited to be working here.”