KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office held its annual Promotion and Awards Ceremony Monday, Feb. 9, at Gateway Technical College’s Haribo Hall, recognizing promotions within the agency and honoring individuals for life-saving and exemplary service.

The ceremony was presided over by Lt. Chase Forster, the Sheriff’s Office public information officer. Sheriff David Zoerner presented promotional badges, rank insignia, and awards during the event.

Lieutenant Bryan Easter was promoted to the rank of captain. Easter recently assumed command of the Detention Division and has served in a variety of leadership and operational roles during his career with the Sheriff’s Office. His promotion places him in charge of one of the agency’s largest and most complex divisions.

Michael Pittsley was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant. Pittsley began his career with the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office in 2013 and was promoted to sergeant in 2017. He has served in supervisory roles prior to his advancement to lieutenant.

Michael Preston was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Preston has held numerous specialized roles during his career, including serving as a team leader for crowd patrol during the 2020 civil unrest, a field training officer since 2013, a member of the Major Crash Assistance Team, a SWAT negotiator, a member of the Marine Unit, and an agency instructor. Preston is a fourth-generation member of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office. His great-grandfather served as undersheriff in the 1950s, his grandfather retired as a lieutenant in 1982, and his father retired as a captain in 2009. Preston now serves as a second-shift patrol sergeant.

Nicholas Brooks was promoted to detective. Brooks was hired by the Sheriff’s Office in 2019 after a career in education, having worked as a middle and high school teacher for 10 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Carthage College and a master’s degree from Concordia University of Wisconsin. Brooks has served on both first- and second-shift patrol assignments and is a member of the Bicycle Unit, Crisis Negotiation Unit, Major Crash Team, and serves as an instructor in CPR and Tactical EMS. He is now assigned as a second-shift detective.

Nathan Knauss was promoted to corporal within the Detention Division. Knauss was hired in November 2007 as a correctional officer and spent 18 years working first- and second-shift assignments at the Kenosha County Jail. He completed Crisis Intervention Training in 2018, became a field training officer in 2023, and is a member of the Correctional Emergency Response Team. He now serves as a corporal at the Kenosha County Detention Center.

Tiffany Horensky was promoted to ARS supervisor. Horensky will serve in a supervisory role within the Detention Division but will not lead the booking team. She was praised for her leadership experience and excellence in the jail.

The ceremony also included the presentation of awards recognizing extraordinary service.

The Sheriff’s Award was presented to Faye Marie Boudreaux for life-saving actions taken when an individual stopped breathing and lost consciousness. Without hesitation, Boudreaux initiated CPR, and the individual regained consciousness. Boudreaux is a U.S. Army veteran whose prior life-saving training was credited with helping stabilize the situation until further aid arrived.

The Life-Saving Award was presented to Deputy Joseph Beach and Deputy Ryan Gerhartz for their actions during a medical emergency on May 2, 2025. The deputies responded to a call involving an unconscious and non-breathing woman, immediately began CPR upon arrival, and continued care until Salem Fire and Rescue personnel took over. The woman survived as a result of their prompt response.

The Corrections Professionals of the Year awards were presented to Donald Lennons and William Wilks, recognizing their contributions to the Sheriff’s Office over the past year. The award honors correctional staff who demonstrate leadership, professionalism, and a commitment to serving both the agency and the inmate population.

In closing remarks, Zoerner emphasized that promotions carry responsibility beyond rank. “Leadership is not just about authority,” he said. “It’s about accountability, humility, and taking care of the people who trust you.”

Zoerner also credited the strength of the agency to the people who serve within it and the families who support them. “This office is strong because of the people in it — people who show up every day to make this a better place,” he said. “To the families and loved ones, thank you. Your support makes this service possible.”