Cop back on the job, but still recovering after being shot

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Officer Abby Pavlik is recognized by Police Chief Barry Weber

Officer Abby Pavlik is recognized by Police Chief Barry Weber

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The honeymoon didn't last long.

Two months after her October wedding, Wauwatosa police officer Abby Pavlik was shot in the stomach investigating an armed robbery.

"We didn't get to be in the newlywed phase," she said of her marriage.

But four months after the Dec. 13 incident, she was back at work, handling warrants and other paperwork during the day shift. About a month ago, she returned to her patrol duties during the night shift, which she prefers.

"I'm glad to be back," she said. "I could never do a desk job."

Last week, Pavlik and other Police Department personnel involved in the investigation accepted accolades from their chief, the Common Council and the community.

This week, the men accused of the shooting go on trial.

Shot in the line of duty

Due to the impending trial, Pavlik isn't saying much about the shooting publicly, other than to say it was surreal.

Milwaukee residents Thongsavahn Rodthong, 27, Michael Dengsavang, 28, and Paul Phonisay, 30, face homicide and burglary charges. Rodthong and Dengsavang also face armed robbery charges.

They are accused of holding up Happy Wok, 2332 N. 124th St., breaking into the restaurant owners' nearby apartment, and shooting Pavlik through the window of her squad car around 10:30 p.m. Dec. 13.

"You always know it is a possibility," she said of being shot.

Pavlik has been a Wauwatosa police officer for four years. Her job has brought her into other incidents involving weapons - but none that come close to comparing to the Dec. 13 incident, she said.

She will testify during the trial, as will several other members of the department.

Working through after-effects

The shooting has taken a toll on Pavlik and her husband.

She is over-stimulated or highly alert on the job and is more easily put on edge, she said. But she expects that to ease up as time goes by.

Capt. Jeff Sutter said there is no normal reaction to a shooting incident like the one Pavlik was involved in, but the department has no worries about her edginess. Her doctor cleared her for duty and she passed a psychological evaluation, as well. All personnel involved in the incident were required to participate in psychological evaluations.

She became a cop to help people, she said, and she's passionate about the work. It's a job that runs in her bloodlines: Her grandfather was a state trooper, and her uncle was a police officer.

Pavlik's husband understood the potential dangers of her work and accepted her job choice, she said.

But now he isn't as excited about her being an officer; he's more fearful and less confident, she said. But she expects that, too, will pass.

The Franklin resident said the support she's gotten from the Wauwatosa community since the shooting "has been unbelievable," and has drawn her closer to the city.

Many honored for their actions

Police Chief Barry Weber presented Pavlik the department's Medal of Honor and Purple Heart during last week's council meeting.

Forty-two other department members involved in the incident also received awards.

Weber said his employees often aggravate, annoy and frustrate him, "but most of the time they amaze me with what they do."

People look to Hollywood actors or highly paid athletes for heroes but true heroes work for the city, he added.

Of Officer Luke Vetter, who was honored with a life-saving award, Weber said, "He would not leave her side until everything was done."

Vetter and Officer Jeremy Bronner found Pavlik after she was shot and got her to the emergency room.

Dispatcher Michael Brault, in his 35th year of service, was on his second-to-last shift before retiring when the call came in. He now is working at the department part time.

Dispatcher Katherine Glisch, whose shift was supposed to end at 11 p.m., stayed all night.

Mayor Jill Didier commended the chief for his leadership and thanked all the officers, Pavlik in particular.

"You have shown courage of an officer that is beyond comprehension," she told Pavlik.

Honored as heroes

Purple Heart

• Officer Abby Pavlik

Medal of Valor

• Officer Abby Pavlik

• Officer Chad Geiszler

Life Saving

• Officer Jeremy Bronner

• Officer Luke Vetter

Departmental Commendation

• Lt. Timothy Sharpee

• Sgt. Tanya Karnick

• Lt. Dennis Davidson

• Sgt. David Moldenhauer

• Officer Stephen Kirby

• Detective Timothy Lilly

• Detective Technician Lisa Hudson

• Detective Daniel Collins

• Detective Michael Schultz

• Detective Brian Skornia

• Officer Daniel Akins

Meritorious Arrest Citation

• Officer Russell Richardson

• Detective James Short

• Detective Randal Burnett

Letter of Appreciation

• Sgt. Jeffery Farina

• Officer Donald Semega

• Officer Robin Schumacher

• Officer Joseph Roy

• Officer Daniel Kane

• Officer Ted Engelken

• Officer Joseph Lewandowski

• Sgt. Brian Zalewski

• Officer David Cefalu

• Officer Derek Dienhart

• Officer Farris Griffin

• Sgt. Gary Gabrish

• Detective Michael Deisinger

• Detective Paula Roberson

• Detective David Hoppe

• Detective Keith Werner

• Detective Ralph Torrez

• Detective Timothy Brenzel

• Detective Fred Carsky (retired)

• Detective Jeffrey Lane

Civilian Awards

Meritorious Service Citation

• Dispatcher Michael Brault

• Dispatcher Katherine Glisch

Letters of Appreciation

• Dispatcher Annette Demeuse

• Dispatcher Tamara Krueger