Appleton Firefighter Mitchell Lundgaard, shot and killed while responding to a call last week, was remembered by friends and family Monday. Mourners packed the Appleton Alliance Church to honor the husband and father of three.
First Responders from as far away as Arizona and as close as Grand Chute filled the church during the 90 minute service. Lundgaard was remembered as a guy who would do anything for his friends.
“He’d set aside what he was doing, I could always count on him, anyone could always count on him,” said friend Justin Wisnenski.
Wisnenski told the story of Lundgaard’s deserve to help others and his county after the tragic events of 9/11. He said the young man, then in college, looked into the Marines, Army, Air Force, and finally settled on the fire service.
“Mitch gave his life for others 18 years after that tragic day” said Wisnenski.
The Appleton Fire Department honored Lundgaard with the “Award of Honor.” Lundgaard was responding to a call at the Downtown Transit Center last Wednesday when he was shot and killed during a gun battle between police and an armed suspect. That suspect also died, and two others were injured.
