The entire state of Wisconsin is mourning the loss of Appleton firefighter Mitchell Lundgaard, who was shot and killed while responding to a medical emergency Wednesday night.
Fire departments throughout our area are stepping up to help any way they can. They made sure emergency responders filled every overpass on I-41 between Appleton and Milwaukee for the procession of Lundgaard's body to and from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office, where an autopsy was done Thursday.
"To show solidarity, show that we're one," said North Shore Fire/Rescue Captain Dan Tyk. "To let that family know, and all of Appleton know, that we are with them."
Lundgaard was a husband, father and 14-year veteran of the Appleton Fire Department. He was shot and killed while responding to a medical emergency at Appleton's downtown transit center.
Two other people, including a police officer, were also shot but survived.
Investigators say the suspected shooter is dead. They are releasing no other details about the crime.
"They were called to take care of somebody that summoned them for help," Tyk said. "No one expects this. On every call, firefighters are trained to survey the scene and look out for each other. We try to have complete situational awareness, but unfortunately, we can't always be prepared for everything. Our heads can't be on a swivel when we're providing medical aid to someone who needs us."
The showing of support for Appleton and Lundgaard continues to grow on social media, where many people and fire departments are changing their profile pictures to the Appleton Fire Department's logo with a black line going through it.
