The Sconi

U.S. and Wisconsin flags in the state were flown at half-staff on Wednesday, Sept. 29 in honor of a 26-year-old Fond du Lac Police officer who died of COVID complications last week.

Gov. Tony Evers two days earlier issued an executive order for the flags to fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset in honor of Officer Joseph "Joe" Kurer.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated that morning with law enforcement and military honors, and a private burial service following the mass, according to Kurer's obituary published in the FDL Reporter.

In a statement issued shortly after Kurer's death, the Fond du Lac Police Department confirmed he died of COVID complications and that "all evidence indicates" Kurer contracted the illness while on duty.  

"As such, this is being treated as a line-of-duty death, the second COVID-19 law enforcement line-of-duty death in the State of Wisconsin," the department said in the second of two Facebook posts.

Black crepe and a wreath have been displayed upon a Fond du Lac patrol vehicle in front of the department's headquarters and a black bar is displayed over the department's Facebook profile to mark Kurer's passing.

Evers expressed his and his wife's sadness in a statement issued the day after Kurer's death.

"Kathy and I were incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Joseph Kurer, Fond du Lac police officer and member of the Wisconsin National Guard, who tragically passed away in the line of duty due to COVID-19 complications," Evers said in the statement. "Our hearts go out to his wife, kids, parents and sister, and all his loved ones, especially as they had just welcomed a new baby to the family the night before Officer Kurer's passing."

Officer Kurer was sworn-in as a City of Fond du Lac Police Officer on Aug. 6, 2018 and he "was a dedicated and valued member of our department," the department said in its earlier Facebook post. "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."

Kurer was also an aviation operations noncommissioned officer, a sergeant, the Wisconsin U.S. Army National Guard. He 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.

A GoFundMe page has been posted to receive donations for Kurer's family.