David W. Zoerner Takes Oath Of Office : There's A New Sheriff In Town

David W. Zoerner Takes Oath Of Office : There’s A New Sheriff In Town

Copied!

**Sheriff David W. Zoerner Taking The Oath of Office With America’s Judge – Bruce E. Schroeder**
**(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)**

David W. Zoerner is now officially the Kenosha County Sheriff. At noon yesterday, Sheriff Zoerner legally took over command of one of the state’s largest law enforcement agencies. He was sworn in officially on December 27, 2022 so he could begin his duties. Yesterday was the Sheriff’s regularly scheduled day off, but he still reported to the department to get to work. Today at 4 pm, Zoerner took the oath of office again with his wife of 22 years, Amy. She was at his side holding the Holy Bible. Zoerner promised to protect and defend the constitution of the United States of America, a promise, he said he takes very seriously. He did so as a United States Marine.

Paid Advertisement

**Sheriff David W. Zoerner, Wife Amy Zoerner and Judge Bruce E. Schroeder**
**(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)**

**Kenosha County Judges**
**Top Row – The Honorable Gerald Dougvillo (Branch 1), The Honorable Jason Rossell (Branch 2)**
**The Honorable Bruce Schroeder (Branch 3), The Honorable Anthony Milisauskas (Branch 4)**
**Bottom Row – The Honorable Judge David Wilk (Branch 5), The Honorable Angelina Gabriele (Branch 6)**
**The Honorable Jodi Meier (Branch 7), The Honorable Chad Kerkman (Branch 8)**

Each and every one of the Kenosha County Judges attended.

Paid Advertisement

**Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Marc Levin**
**(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)**

Chief Deputy Marc Levin who is set to retire in a couple of months called the court to order and commanded silence. Chief Judge Jason Rossell introduced the local leaders present.

Paid Advertisement

**John Hagerty**
**Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Jail Chaplain**
**(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)**

Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Jail Chaplain John Hagerty led the large group in prayer.

Paid Advertisement

**Kenosha County Sheriff’s Honor Guard**
**(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)**

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Honor Guard posted the colors.

Paid Advertisement

**Sheriff Zoerner’s Youngest Son, Brody**
**(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)**

Sheriff Zoerner’s Youngest Son Brody (13), Lead The Pledge of Allegiance.

**Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman**
**(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)**

Kenosha County Executive Kerkman made comments about her excitement to work along side the new Sheriff. She also spoke of the new Kenosha Police Chief, Patrick Patton who was in attendance.

**The Honorable Judge Bruce E. Schroeder aka “America’s Judge”**
**(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)**

Wisconsin’s most senior judge, Bruce Schroeder was asked by Zoerner to swear him in on his special day. Judge Schroeder quickly agreed, saying “it would by my honor and a privilege.” Schroeder made remarks including his love for the democratic system – that we as citizens can chose our leaders. He called the Sheriff’s position “very important.”

**Sheriff Zoerner and Judge Schroeder**
**(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)**

Judges Schroeder administered the oath of office and the new Sheriff thanked Schroeder for giving him the honor.

**Sheriff Zoerner**
**(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)**

Sheriff Zoerner thanked his colleagues, friends and family for their support. County Executive Samantha Kerkman made some final remarks and Chaplain Hagerty gave a closing prayer. Chief Deputy Marc Levin then adjourned the proceedings.

Zoerner has been with the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department for almost 24 years. He has held many roles within the department. Zoerner received a standing ovation today from friends, family members, colleagues, Judges and dignitaries. When asked how the made him feel, he told KCE “it was humbling. What an exciting ceremony. I am so grateful that the citizens of Kenosha County have elected me to lead this outstanding group of professional law enforcers. I won’t let them down.”

The Sheriff told KCE that there have been several promotions recently and the command staff has evolved. He has the utmost trust in his new Chief Deputy, Justin Miller, his senior Captain, Tony Gonzalez and the two newly promoted captains Eric Klinkhammer and Steve Beranis. “I’ve worked with these men for years and I have no doubt they will be a successful team. Their combined knowledge and experience prepares us for the future. We have reorganized the different divisions of the Sheriff’s Department, utilizing deputies where their skill sets can be best utilized within the department. .“

“I love this job,” Zoerner concluded.

**Sheriff Zoerner at his desk**
**(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)**

**Sheriff Zoerner Listening To Judge Schroeder**
**(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)**

**Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton, Sheriff Zoerner, DA Michael Graveley and County Executive Samantha Kerkman**
**(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)**

**KSD Command Staff**
**Captain Beranis, Captain Klinkhammer, Chief Levin, Sheriff Zoerner, Chief Miller and Captain Gonzalez**
**(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)**

KSD Honor Guard
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Today’s Ceremony
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Old and new Badges
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Author

Kevin Mathewson

Kevin Mathewson is a disciple of Christ, husband and a father to two wonderful children. Mathewson was born and raised in Lake County, IL and worked as a police & fire dispatcher from 2005 to 2010 in Round Lake Beach, IL. Mathewson moved to Kenosha County in 2006, later being elected to the position of Alderman of the 8th District in 2012 and 2016. Mathewson is a private investigator, security contractor, journalist, and photographer. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, camping and boating. His favorite amendment is the second, followed closely by the first. He loves his country and community.

View All Articles

Copied!

LATEST NEWS

Sheriff’s Department Name Change Too Confusing: Opinion

January 18, 2025 55 Comments

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department (KSD) is now known as the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office (KESO). KCE got a press release recently from Sgt. Coultrip that used the acronym KESO. We replied with an FYI, saying that there was a typo. He ignored us. Another press release followed. The same acronym – KESO. We then learned it wasn’t a typo. People on social media expressed how confusing this was. “It should be KSD or KCSO,” one

Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad Investigated Bomb Scare At Racine County Jail

January 17, 2025 8 Comments

On Friday, January 17th, 2025, at approximately 2:15PM a 29-year-old female communicated to a Racine County employee that she had just placed a bomb within a publicly accessible area of the Racine County Jail. Immediate precautionary measures were taken to ensure the safety of the facility, its occupants, and the public. Sheriff’s Office staff quickly determined there was a suspicious package left by a person just prior to receiving this threat, and while leaving the package,

Kenosha Sheriff’s Office Announces Arrest Of Man Accused Of Many Violent Felonies

January 17, 2025

On Thursday, January 17th, 2025, around 7:50 A.M. the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) responded to the 23200 block of 31st St. to take wanted felon, Ascension “Chon” Obregon, into custody. Kenosha Joint Services received a text to 911 stating “Chon” was at this residence and was wanted by law enforcement. Obregon was wanted on several violent felony warrants through the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office as well as Probation and Parole. Patrol Deputies, Detectives, Supervisors, and several

Controversial Sexual Assault Charge Dismissed Against 16-Year-Old By DA Solis

January 17, 2025

A 16-year-old Kenosha teen smiled today as Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Gerad Dougvillo ordered the dismissal of his second degree sexual assault charge, with prejudice. With prejudice means that the charge is permanently dismissed and cannot be re-filed. This came after a court case spanning almost one year, with many twists and turns. KCE was present in court today. “The state is moving to dismiss this case with prejudice. I have been looking over at

Court Clerk Advises Kenosha County Residents To Beware Of Jury Duty Scam

January 17, 2025

Kenosha County Clerk of Courts Rebecca Matoska-Mentink is warning of a telephone scam that is again making the rounds locally. Matoska-Mentink said her office has received several contacts recently from people reporting they were called and told they had failed to report for jury service, that there is a warrant out for them, and that they must immediately pay a fine. These calls are not legitimate and should be ignored, Matoska-Mentink said. “Absent a court hearing

Kenosha 14-Year-Old Accepts Plea Deal For School Shooting Threat

January 16, 2025

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, our community watched as a school shooter threat unfolded. The suspect, 13-year-old Kenosha resident and Mahone Middle School District student, Donavon J. Castillo, was arrested at his home after he surrendered. There were no reported injuries resulting from this incident. Today, Castillo, pursuant to a plea agreement, was adjudicated guilty for one felony charge of terroristic threats, and another charge of possession of a dangerous weapon on school premises was dismissed,

Westosha Central High School Male Student No Longer Permitted To Use The Girls’ Locker Room

January 16, 2025

A 16-year-old boy is no longer using the girls’ locker room at Westosha Central High School in Paddock Lake. “The student is not using the locker room and will not be in the future. This began on January 2 and is in place for the future,” said district administrator John Gendron. When asked if the student was permitted to use the girls’ locker rooms or restrooms, Gendren responded with a simple “No.” He added, “It was a

Vehicle Crash In The Town Of Paris Results In One Fatality

January 16, 2025

On Thursday, January 16th, 2025, around 6:00 A.M. the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) responded to the intersection of CTH-N (38th St.) and CTH-MB (152nd Ave.) for a semi-truck vs. pickup truck crash. A semi-truck was traveling north on CTH-MB and failed to stop at a required stop sign at CTH-N. The semi-truck proceeded through the intersection as the victim was traveling west on CTH-N in a pick-up truck. The pickup truck crashed into the trailer of the

KTEC School To Dissolve After Financial Misconduct Discovered

January 15, 2025

Kenosha Unified School District today announced changes to the structure of KTEC effective at the start of the second semester. A review was initiated following concerns raised about the commingling of funds between KUSD’s KTEC 4K-8 program and KTEC High School—an independent charter entity unaffiliated with KUSD—that revealed prior KTEC 4K-8 leaders and Governance Board members engaged an external fiscal agent without the district’s knowledge or authorization. KUSD leadership shared these findings with KUSD’s KTEC 4K-8

KUSD To Host 58th Annual Choral Festival On February 15

January 15, 2025

The Kenosha Unified School District’s 58th Choral Festival will occur on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the Indian Trail High School field house. The event will showcase over 950 students from our elementary, middle, high and charter schools. Tickets are available at kusd.edu/tickets<http://kusd.edu/tickets>. Field house seating is $10 (a maximum of 3). Tickets will not be available at the door, and field house seating may sell out in advance. The event will also be streamed

Westosha Central School Board Gets Earful From Residents For Allowing Boys In Girl’s Locker Room – Other Updates

January 14, 2025

Many people took the podium at the public comments portion of tonight’s Westosha Central School Board meeting to express their frustration. Frustration that the school is allowing a 16-year-old boy to use the girls’ locker room and bathroom alongside 14-year-old girls. In a usually empty room, a packed group of concerned citizens spoke, one after the other. Jay Nutting was missing from tonight’s meeting. Out of the speakers, only one woman, an LGBT activist spoke in

Twin Lakes Fire Department Announces 24/7, Full-Time Staffing

January 14, 2025

According to a Twin Lakes Fire Department and Rescue Squad Press release: Historic Milestone: Twin Lakes Fire Department and Rescue Squad Welcomes First Full-Time Staff The Twin Lakes Fire Department and Rescue Squad is proud to announce a historic moment in its almost 100-year legacy: the addition of our first-ever full-time staff. This significant step forward marks the culmination of nearly two years of planning and collaboration between the department, the communities we serve, and the

Authors

17 Responses

resident says:

January 4, 2023 at 9:00 AM

Congratulations, Sheriff Zoerner! Kenosha County made the correct choice!

1
1

Reply
Brian S Bashaw says:

January 4, 2023 at 10:19 AM

Congratulations Sheriff Zoerner! Looking forward to the future as you take the helm to protect and defend Kenosha County!

1
1

Reply
Brian S Bashaw says:

January 4, 2023 at 10:20 AM

Kevin, Thank you for your committement to getting the story out! I searched and could not find anything in our local paper, which was quite surprising!

1

Reply
1. Anonymous says:
  
  January 4, 2023 at 3:36 PM
  
  They had a significant story online.
  
  Reply
J Frank Wilson says:

January 4, 2023 at 10:52 AM

I’m suprised Gravley didn’t burst into flames standing between two republicans!

Reply
1. JR says:
  
  January 4, 2023 at 11:44 AM
  
  LOLOL .. !!!!!!!!
  
  Reply
2. Anonymous says:
  
  January 4, 2023 at 12:25 PM
  
  Gravely is not so honest…
  
  Reply
Red Pill says:

January 4, 2023 at 10:52 AM

Congratualtions Sheriff Zoerner! I am quite pleased you are the new Sheriff and looking forward to your leadership.

I know it’s quite early in your new position. However I am hopeful that a thorough investigation is done without delay to not only look into the events that transpired that allowed Kenosha to burn but to follow through with criminal charges to those involved. Derilection of duty is not the term here, domestic terrorism is. Blaming Evers is not the excuse when your specific duty has been defined (below).

Suspsect #1: David Beth
Sheriff Duties:
59.28 Peace maintenance; powers and duties of peace officers, cooperation.
(1) Sheriffs and their undersheriffs and deputies shall keep and preserve the peace in their respective counties and quiet and suppress all affrays, routs, riots, unlawful assemblies and insurrections; for which purpose, and for the service of processes in civil or criminal cases and in the apprehending or securing any person for felony or breach of the peace they and every coroner and constable may call to their aid such persons or power of their county as they consider necessary.

Suspect #2: Michael Gravely – Known to have direct communication with BLM leaders through leaked messages.

1

Reply
1. Anonymous says:
  
  January 4, 2023 at 12:26 PM
  
  Gravely wow
  
  Reply
  1. JimBob says:
    
    January 4, 2023 at 5:04 PM
    
    DA Mike Graveley laughingly gives all of us a clue that he will mock the efforts of Law Enforcement when Citations are sent to him.
    
    Reply
Anonymous says:

January 4, 2023 at 12:31 PM

Drove south down Highway 31 today, from KR to S. Saw a couple of squads running radar, controlling that death-ridden racetrack. Thank you for your commitment to safety!

Reply
Integrity Matters says:

January 4, 2023 at 3:15 PM

Totally agree Red Pill – the previous Sheriff certainly lacked integrity and must be held accountable for all his misdeeds…

Congratulations Sheriff Zoerner!

1

Reply
Retired LEO says:

January 4, 2023 at 4:22 PM

You will do well Dave. You are where you’re supposed to be.

1

Reply
Anonymous says:

January 4, 2023 at 11:43 PM

It’s a very tough job. The sheriff’s department has turned into a bloated bureaucracy with little planning for the future. Reactive vs. proactive. Many good people but inconsistent leadership.

Reply
Sherman says:

January 7, 2023 at 1:41 PM

Above all, Sheriff Zoerner must be a constitutional Sheriff, who protects the people of Kenosha County from tyranny and subversion against our constitutional freedoms. It isn’t a game any more. The people need a champion.

Reply
Anonymous says:

February 26, 2023 at 2:57 PM

I just couldn’t vote for a man who couldn’t decide which party he wanted to be in. He changed parties like people change their underwear. First he was a Republican. Then when he thought the Democrats were the winning side, he became a Democrat. When the Democrats started taking heat because Biden is a bumbling idiot with dementia and Harris is the queen of the word salad, he instantly changes back to a Republican. Too wishy-washy for me folks.

1

Reply