BARRON COUNTY, Wis. — A community came together to mourn and celebrate the lives of Cameron police officer Hunter Scheel and Chetek police officer Emily Breidenbach.
At a joint funeral, Barron County Law Enforcement Foundation President and Chaplain Cody Kargus described the day when the two officers were killed in the line of duty as traumatic.
“Last Saturday was the worst day of my life. I lost my two friends and today’s hard,” Kargus said. “It’s hard for all of us and I want to thank you for being for a support to the family and agencies here in the county.”
Then time was taken to honor each of the officers one by one.
Friends and family of officer Scheel remembered him as someone who was always to protect and serve.
His sister Audrey said she cried knowing she will never see his smile again nor hug his family.
“Hunter gave in every aspect of his life, doing a tour in Afghanistan to coming home and doing something as simple as helping grandpa collect sap. He gave his love honor and ultimately himself,” she said. “Hunter did his job to the best of his ability and he did it well.”
Breidenbach was celebrated for her community mindset that always made others feel welcome.
Her brother Mike Breidenbach said Emily loved with everything she had.
“Emily always put everyone else first. She would go across the state just to help her friends build chicken boxes or sitting next to friends on their wedding day while she took a little snooze next to the car,” he said. “And so many more I can’t mention. She loved all of you. To know her was to love her.”
Kargus also went to say that he believes the pain everyone felt at the funeral shows how real the love was for both Scheel and Breidenbach.