Page 10 - The Wayne Dispatch

City hires full time Chief

After retiring from the City of J o s e p h he was affectionately known as “Smi-
Westland as the Fire Chief, the hiring Henry Fisher ley”. He was later recognized by the
of Michael Stradtner to become ex- age 94 of Cold- Wayne Recreation Advisory Board as
clusively Wayne’s Fire Chief was ap- water, Michi- the recipient of the James J. Poplin
proved by Wayne City Council on gan, formerly Distinguished Service Award. After
February 2. The interlocal agreement of Wayne, retirement, Joe and his wife lived be-
between Wayne and Westland was M i c h i g a n tween their lake home in Coldwater
terminated. Wayne had shared Chief passedaway and their winter home in Ellenton,
Stradtner with Westland for the last peacefully on Florida. Over the years Joe acquired
four years. Tuesday, Jan- quite an extraordinary collection of
Chief Stradtner has spent 26 uary 19, 2021, autographed photos and letters from
years in the fire service, all of them at Masonville prominent athletes. Some of his
in Westland. He will not receive any Place in Cold- Joseph Henry Fisher most prized possessions included
pension, healthcare or retiree health- water. He was letters from Ty Cobb and a personal-
care benefits in the Wayne position. born in Detroit, Michigan on July 24, ized signed photo from the Four
“It’s very humbling that you’ve 1926. Joseph attended school in De- Horsemen of Notre Dame. A spirited
supported me tonight,” Chief Stradt- troit and as a Native American spent character with a true gift of conversa-
ner addressed the Wayne council. “I his summers on Walpole Island In- tion, he loved to entertain with his
truly appreciate it. I still have a lot Fire Chief, Michael Stradtner dian Reservation in Ontario, Canada. stories and jokes. His hobbies in-
left in me to give. I’m still very pas- He began his high school years at cluded long road trips, shuffleboard,
sionate about the fire service and which we serve, and I hope to serve Cass Tech in Detroit and then trans- and he was a pro at crossword and
passionate about the communities in you the best that I can.” ferred to Romulus High School sudoku puzzles. Joe was preceded
where he excelled as an athlete and in death by his parents and his high
Wayne Police Department Awards graduated in 1944. He was a Navy school sweetheart and wife of 70
veteran having served in both World years Doris Keller Fisher. He is sur-
The Wayne Police Department safely arresting dangerous and War II and the Korean War in the ca- vived by three children, Daniel
has an Awards Committee made up armed suspects without incident, re- pacity of a Signalman. Joe was an ac- Fisher (Lou Ann Withington) of
of the Chief of Police and a selection covering stolen property, excellent in- tive member and past commander of Hanover, Michigan, James (Cheryl)
of patrol and command officers. The vestigative work leading to the arrest Amvets Post 171 where he formed Fisher of Coldwater, Michigan, and
Awards Committee meets each year of a sexual assault suspect, and and commanded the Post’s Color Patti (Rick) Miller of Dayton, Ten-
to review incidents from throughout much more. Guard. Joe was also instrumental in nessee, eight grandchildren, Michele
the previous year and make selec- Meritorious Service (one of the the veterans committee that erected Fisher, Melissa Fisher, Leah Fisher,
tions about awards for department Wayne Police Department’s highest the first Veterans Memorial in Wayne, Dena Crow, Byron Halferty, Nicole
employees. The Awards Committee honors): Lt. Springer, Sgt. Amore, Michigan. Joe worked for Michigan (Rob) Puckett, Laura (Ken) Oliver,
met in early 2020 and made the and Officer Colwell Bell where he held various positions and Valerie (Josh) Floyd, ten great-
below selections regarding 2019 in- Lifesaving Award – Officer until his retirement in 1984. In the grandchildren, one great-great grand-
cidents. The Committee was hoping Whalen early sixties Joe worked part time child, and many beloved nieces and
to have a larger, in person award cer- Commendation – Lt. Springer, for the City of Wayne Recreation De- nephews.
emony in 2020, but that wasn’t in Sgt. Hughes, Sgt. Amore, Sgt. Perez, partment. During this time, he Following his wishes, cremation
the cards. So, Chief Strong recog- Sgt. Boruta, Officer Jagotka, Officer served as a referee for youth hockey will take place and services will be
nized all the award recipients on Talmadge, Officer Bolton, Officer games, supervised and participated announced at a later time.
their individual shifts in January Colwell, Officer Whalen, Officer in after school and weekend roller Burial with Military Honors will
2021. Williams skating, and by far his favorite, su- be at Fort Custer National Cemetery,
The awards were for a variety of Chief’s Award – Sgt. Perez, Sgt. pervised the Friday Night Rec activi- Augusta, Michigan.
incidents, including safely de-escalat- Boruta, Officer Arndt, Officer Bolton, ties held at the Attwood pool Condolences may be sent online
ing mental health emergencies, Officer Colwell, Officer Priebe building; to the teenager attendees to www.beamsfuneralhome.com

10 · February 2021 · The Wayne Dispatch