MILWAUKEE — The funeral for a Milwaukee police officer who died this week after a car crash will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 13, according to Andrew Wagner, President of the Milwaukee Police Association.
The Oak Creek Police Department announced Wednesday night that Officer Nowak died.
Visitation will be held at Southbrook Church, 11010 W. St. Martins Road in Franklin, from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 2 p.m., private interment.
Nowak had his final surgery Wednesday, Dec. 6 where his organs were saved for donation to help others.
His family wrote, "Jimmy would have wanted to help other people because he was a giving guy and very loving, so we decided to donate his organs to save other lives."
According to Versiti, a single person could save up to eight lives through organ donation.
It's a story that's weighing heavy on the hearts of the entire region.
Jimmy Nowak was off-duty the night of Sunday, Dec. 3 when his car hit a semi-truck near Oak Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Oak Creek.
Nowak's obituary says in part, "Jimmy was the life of any party. He had a heart of gold that befriended anyone and everyone with a contagious smile and personality that made all feel welcomed. Jimmy lived more of life in his short 30 years than most people do in their entire lifetime."
A cross stands tall on the corner, where the accident happened, draped in a thin blue line flag. Flowers have piled up over the course of the day from people coming to pay their respects.
A tribute that was all too familiar for Nowak.
In February, Milwaukee Police Officer Peter Jerving was shot and killed in the line of duty. He'd been Nowak's partner for the last four years.
Something family said Nowak was still processing.
"They were best friends and not only partners for four years. I believe Jerving was a police officer for four years and all four years Jimmy was his partner," Jim Bratel, a family friend, said.
Two friends who served and protected and gave their all to family, friends, and the entire southeast Wisconsin community.
Nowak served 12 years on the force for the Milwaukee Police Department. His obituary says he enjoyed spending time with family and friends in the north woods of Minocqua, bowling, and golfing.
On Wednesday, family of Jimmy and his wife Julia Nowak shared these photos with TMJ4. An intimate moment of the couple hand-in-hand.
Questions still surround Sunday's accident.
We know the driver of the semi-truck is cooperating with police, however, on Pennsylvania Avenue where the incident happened, signs are posted that prohibit semi-trucks.
TMJ4 called the company of the tractor-trailer involved and never heard back.
Loved ones of the Nowak's have set up a GoFund Me to help with medical and funeral expenses.
According to his obituary, "In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to the Fallen Hero's Fund in Jimmys Honor."
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