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Boat launch renamed after slain DNR warden

By Heather Graves
Correspondent


BROWN COUNTY – After years of dedication by family and friends, a boat launch in the Village of Suamico will now bear the name of a slain Department of Natural Resources warden killed in the line of duty.

The Brown County board unanimously passed a resolution at its meeting Wednesday, Feb. 19, to rename the Suamico Boat Landing to the Neil L. LaFave Boat Launch.

LaFave was murdered on Sept. 24, 1971, his 32nd birthday, by a poacher in the Sensiba Wildlife Area.

LaFave had a wife and two small children at the time of this death.

For his family, many whom were present at the meeting, the name change is an honor and long overdue.

“I was only three at the time,” said Nicki Degreef, LaFave’s daughter. “I want to say thank you on behalf of my family. We really appreciate everything the community has done for us.”

The cost to change the sign will be paid for by the Wisconsin Wardens Association, the Brown County Sheriff’s Benevolent Association and the Green Bay Fraternal Order of Police.

County honors public safety personnel

Supervisors honored a group of public safety communications personnel who were instrumental in facilitating the rescue of a Green Bay woman who was being held captive by an individual in the Dominican Republic Jan. 26.

The commendation credits the afternoon team at the communications department for going above and beyond the call of duty.

“Without the team in the room that day, we would have never been able to help that woman from Green Bay,” said Tracy Ertl, Brown County Communications supervisor. “We were on the phone with her for 3 1/2 hours, and that required the rest of the team to take over that load of two people out of the mix taking calls. I think what it should say to everyone in the community, is regardless of where you are if you are from Brown County, we are yours and we’ll work to protect you. Regardless of where you are, you belong to us.”

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