Two police officers honored for efforts during fire
By Erik Buchinger
Clintonville Police Officers Anthony Arietta and Tyler Bartel each received awards during the city council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 8 for their efforts in a recent fire.
The two officers, who both became full-time officers in April, awarded with letters of commendation and Life Saving pins for the fire that broke out in downtown Clintonville on Oct. 19.
“It’s a nice recognition for something that I wouldn’t expect to be recognized for because we’re doing our job,” Arietta said. “I’d expect anyone to do the same for me.”
Bartel said he is proud of the award he and Arietta earned.
“I appreciate it, and it’s nice to get the recognition,” Bartel said. “I’m very humbled by it.”
Clintonville Police Chief James Beggs presented the two officers at the city council meeting.
“In these times, it’s getting tougher and tougher to be a police officer in this world,” Beggs said. “It’s getting tougher and tougher to find good recruits. It’s getting tougher and tougher to bear the burden of some unpopular press, sometimes deservedly so I have to admit.
“But there are times when it’s really cool to be a police officer, especially as the chief, and this is one of those times.”
Bartel, Arietta and Deputy Matt Whitaker of the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Department arrived on the scene at the upper apartments on 49 S. Main St. in Clintonville above Doesn’t Compute computer shop and Main Street Tattoos around 8:20 on Oct. 19.
Arietta saw an injured 58-year-old female on the stairwell with burns to her face.
“I noticed the female was injured, so I moved her to safer spot away from the burning building,” Arietta said. “I made sure she was fine and not in any further harm.”
Afterwards, Arietta assisted Whitaker and Bartel, who found an unconscious 64-year-old man and were performing CPR.
“We noticed he was unconscious, and we immediately did CPR,” Bartel said. “And eventually, he regained his pulse.”
Both victims were taken to the hospital and survived.
Arietta said dispatcher Samantha Schwamer was a big help for him and Bartel that night.
“She’s our line to resources, so she handled all calls super smoothly,” Arietta said. “She remained calm, cool and collected through the whole thing.”