Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Deputy Sheriff Aleman Killed After Rear-ending A Flatbed Tow Truck On Southbound I-43 In Milwaukee

Sergio Aleman

Authorities investigating an accident that claimed the life of a Milwaukee County Deputy Sheriff.

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 31, 2012

Milwaukee - On Tuesday, Milwaukee County Deputy Sheriff Sergio Aleman, 49, was reported killed after 12:17 p.m. on southbound I-43 highway under the Winnebago St. overpass bridge near the downtown Marquette interchange. Aleman was on duty driving a department Freeway Service TEAM truck to help stranded motorists on the highway when he slammed into the rear-end of a N&S flatbed towing truck.
The first deputy at the scene found Aleman trapped in the truck cabin, unresponsive and not breathing. CPR attempts to revive Deputy Aleman were unsuccessful. Fire fighters who arrived at the scene had to use Jaws of Life, a hydraulic rescue tool to extract Aleman from the mangled front part of the truck. Aleman was then rushed to Froedtert Hospital where he died after succumbing to his injuries. An autosy will be performed to try and determined what led to Deputy Aleman's accident, according to Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr.
Some of the deputies who first responded to the scene are receiving counseling to help them get through the traumatic incident. Sheriff Clarke described that Deputy Aleman had suffered catastrophic injuries at the scene.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department (MCSD) notified Deputy Aleman's family about his injuries and were present when he passed away before confirming that Aleman had lost his life. He is the first deputy to died in the line of duty in the last 12 years.
Deputy Aleman is survived by his wife, Jenna and five children ranging from ages 22 to 6. The youngest one is from his present wife, including two step children and two children from a first marriage.
The southbound I-43 lanes were opened just after 3:00 p.m. The Wisconsin State Patrol investigators questioned the 21-year-old N&S tow truck driver and will continue with their investigation of the deadly crash. Sheriff Clarke confirmed, that the driver "in no way is responsible" for the accident.
State accident reconstruction investigators are trying to determine how Deputy Aleman lost control of his vehicle and slammed into the flatbed. It will take weeks or months to actually figure out what led Deputy Aleman to crash into the tow truck.
Aleman had worked for MCSD since 1994 and so far, the preliminary investigation indicated that Deputy Aleman was not suffering from any history of medical problems at the time of the accident.
County Executive Chris Abele ordered all county facilities to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff for the next 30 days in honor of Aleman. Aleman had received three meritorious awards in his career, including one for arresting two suspects wanted for multiple bank robberies. One of the bank robbers arrested, included Michael J. Scott, 36, who was sought in connection with at least 10 southeastern bank robberies. Scott and another suspect had just robbed a U.S. bank in Germantown on July 13 in Milwaukee County, when Deputy Aleman spotted the vehicle they were using on the freeway. The suspects were later arrested by Deputy Aleman and a Milwaukee police officer at a south side Milwaukee gas station located in the 600 block of W. Becher St.
Two separate trust funds have been set up at the Tri-City bank and M&I bank under Sergio Aleman's name. As a warning to the public to avoid fraud, no door by door solicitations or phone calling to ask for funds will be made, according to Sheriff Clarke.

Milwaukee County Sheriff's Deputy Badge

Services for Aleman:

Public visitation at

Max A. Sass and Sons Funeral Home
8910 W. Drexel Ave.
Franklin, WI
Monday, August 6, 2012
From 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Memorial Service at

St. Patrick's Church
728 W. Washington Ave.
Milwaukee, WI
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
11:00 a.m.

Final Interment; law enforcement possession to cemetery immediately following church services at
St. Adalbert Cemetery
3801 S. 6 St.
Milwaukee, WI

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