Fond du Lac Police Officer Joseph Kurer, a decorated military veteran, died of complications from COVID-19 the morning after his wife gave birth, the Fond du Lac Police Department announced on Sept. 22, 2021.

“is with great sadness and a heavy heart that Chief Aaron Goldstein informs you of the passing of Officer Joseph Kurer, age 26, due to complications from COVID-19,” Fond du Lac police said in a news release. “Officer Kurer is survived by his wife and two children, one born the night before Joseph passed away. Joseph is also survived by his parents and sister.”

“Officer Kurer was sworn-in as a City of Fond du Lac Police Officer on August 6, 2018. Officer Kurer was a dedicated and valued member of our Department. Joseph was a member of the Tactical Field Force Team, Honor Guard Unit, Domestic Violence Intervention Team, and earlier this year was certified as a Field Training Officer.”

According to police, “Officer Kurer was also an Aviation Operations Noncommissioned Officer (Sergeant) with the United States Army, Wisconsin National Guard. Prior to joining the Fond du Lac Police Department Joseph was a Community Service Officer with the City of West Bend Police Department.”

Joseph Kurer Won Many Awards

Officer Joseph Kurer was awarded a “City of Fond du Lac Police Department Life Saving Award, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Air Force Sergeants Association NCO of the Year as a Cadet Non-Commissioned Officer in the Civil Air Patrol, and Sister Michaela O’Brien Award while attending St. Mary’s Springs High School,” the release said.

“Officer Kurer is being escorted from the hospital to the funeral home by a law enforcement procession and Officers will stand vigil by his side until the services are complete,” it said.

Chief Aaron Goldstein said, “Our entire Fond du Lac Police Department family mourns the passing of Officer Joseph Kurer. Our love and condolences go out to Joseph’s wife and children and all those with whom he served. We, as a police department family will do everything possible to continue to provide support and comfort to Joseph’s family. Joseph will be missed by everyone here.”

The department added, “Funeral arrangements with Law Enforcement Honors are pending and out of respect for the family no additional information is available at this time.”