Wednesday, July 16, 2025
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Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Milwaukee Press Club 'Excellence in Wisconsin Journalism' 2020 & 2021 Award Winners

Dodge County Sheriff Defends Thin Blue Line Flag, Slams Extremists

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“I have authorized ‘Thin Blue Line’ flags to be displayed on all Dodge County Sheriff’s Office squad cars” -Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt

Dodge County Sheriff Dale J. Schmidt has posted a statement of strong support for the thin blue line flag just days after UW-Madison’s police chief, Kristen Roman, banned it. He said the department will not bow to the “whims of extremists,” and he authorized use of the flag by his officers.

In his “January Sheriff’s Column,” posted to the department’s Facebook page, the Wisconsin sheriff wrote, “I encourage all citizens and law enforcement to feel free to display the “Thin Blue Line” flag with pride because supporting and being a part of law enforcement is nothing to be ashamed of. It is one of the world’s oldest and most noble professions and I am proud to stand side by side with so many outstanding men and women who put on the uniform because they have one thing in mind, serving and protecting the citizens of our great nation.”

Read his post in full here.

Wisconsin Right Now was the first site to break the story of Roman’s thin blue line flag ban. You can read our original story here. Although Schmidt doesn’t specifically mention her, the timing of his post reads almost as a rebuke – and certainly as a counter argument.

Over the last couple of years, the “Thin Blue Line” flag “has become very popular,” explained Schmidt.

“For those of you who are not aware, the ‘Thin Blue Line’ refers to the concept of the police as the line which keeps society from descending into violent chaos. Recently a new spin has emerged which has painted the ‘Thin Blue Line’ flag as advancing ‘hateful ideologies’ being pushed by ‘extremists’ and as a result we must reject the flag altogether,” wrote Schmidt.

“I counter that argument by asking, should we abandon our American Flag because other ‘extremists’ are using it to promote their misguided ‘hateful ideologies’ as well? This is an absurd thought and it is infuriating. I am aware of 2 law enforcement executives in Wisconsin who have decided to ban the flag in their agencies. To me, this sends the wrong message to citizens and law enforcement.”

Here’s the rest of his post:

The “Thin Blue Line” flag has been a symbol of support for law enforcement by a very large number of United States citizens. Those who display it typically support law and order. They support waiting for all facts before casting judgment on any incident. They support law enforcement officers knowing that the vast majority are good people who genuinely want to make their community a better place. They understand that contrary to the false narrative of the media, law enforcement is overwhelmingly color blind as it relates to the law. They also understand that if you break the law, there are consequences regardless of the color of your skin.

The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office will never bow to the whims or false narrative of extremists who hate law enforcement. I am proud of the work my staff does every day. I am proud our citizens support the work we do. I am proud we have a symbol in that of the “Thin Blue Line” flag that is positive and unifying even though those who hate law and order and law enforcement are hateful toward the flag. To me, the “Thin Blue Line” flag represents that we in law enforcement are the last line of defense for law and order and we will stand up for what is right in the face of adversity. We will stand up for the Constitution of the United States and everything the American Flag represents.

I wear a “Thin Blue Line” flag pin on my uniform every day. I have authorized “Thin Blue Line” flags to be displayed on all Dodge County Sheriff’s Office squad cars. I have a “Thin Blue Line” flag flying below my American Flag on my front lawn.

Of course, everyone has the right to their own opinion on this matter, and I respect everyone’s constitutional right to their freedom of speech. However, no one has the right to trample on anyone else’s right to free speech if they choose to display the “Thin Blue Line” flag and support our brave men and women in law enforcement. I will defend that constitutional right to support law enforcement, just as any other right that has been afforded to the citizens of our great nation. Thank you for supporting us and thank you for allowing us to work hard toward making Dodge County a safe and enjoyable place to live, work, and visit.

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“In Washington County our budget cycle starts right now, and it’s not due until November. We will propose our budget goals to the County Board in the next couple of months. We will share ‘This is what we’re thinking.’ It gives them months of time to think those through, give us feedback, and [have] that kind of dialogue,” Schoemann explained in an interview on News Talk 1130 WISN.

Schoemann said that is far better than the approach Evers is taking again this year.

“That’s not how government is supposed to work,” Schoemann said. “It’s not the vision of the governor. It’s not the vision of any one person.”

Evers and the Republican legislative leaders who will write the budget have been involved in on-again, off-again budget talks this month. On Thursday, the governor’s office said those talks were off once again because of gridlock in the Senate.

“Ultimately, the Senate needs to decide whether they were elected to govern and get things done or not,” Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback said in a post on X.

Schoemann’s criticism of Evers is nothing new. He has long been a critic of the governor and has turned that criticism up since launching his campaign for governor.

But the recent criticism was also aimed at other Republicans who may jump into the 20206 governor’s race later this year.

“Nobody else in this race on the Republican side, being rumored to this point, has the executive leadership of skills and history to be able to show ‘This is how I’ve done it before, and here’s how we’ll do it Madison,’” Schoemann said. “The results in Washington County speak for themselves.”

Northwoods Congressman Tom Tiffany is also rumored to be looking to get into the Republican race. Before he went to Congress, Tiffany was a Republican lawmaker in Madison.

Businessman and veteran Bill Berrien is also on the short list of likely GOP candidates for 2026.

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