As we idle past Summerfest, the new DNR boat pulls up -- and it's a formidable ship with giant engines. Jensen admits that MPD boats can't keep up some of the speedboats he encounters, but this new boat is fast. Really fast. The two crews chat for a few minutes, and it's obvious that the different departments really work together -- another change since Sept. 11. Jensen says the crews know each other's wives and children and are planning a get together next month. They laugh together, and when something unfortunate happens, they cry together, too, he says.

It's obvious the former Marine Corps veteran who will retire next year has gained some perspective during his time in law enforcement. He's seen a lot of death in his time, he says somberly. He remembers some, doesn't remember others, but says he always remembers the sounds of the widows and orphans. But Jensen also acknowledges the up-side of the job, too. He relishes the lives he's saved and the friends he's made.

Heading under the Hoan Bridge, the crew looks for suspicious activity -- someone walking on the catwalk or a car parked on top -- fortunately, nothing is out of order. But just last night, there was a jumper. He didn't survive -- only one person has ever lived after jumping off the Hoan, Jensen says. And for some reason, they always jump off the inland side of the bridge.

Idling up the Kinnickinnic River, we're joined by a Coast Guard boat -- another powerful and impressive ship. Jensen asks if they'd like to take part in a towing exercise. "Who's towing who?" asks one of the Coast Guard crew. Jensen, the eldest officer aboard the two boats, offers to be the tower. And in a few minutes, the two boats perform a swift, "side by tow," in which the police boat guides the other ship to a nearby dock outside Riptide restaurant. A group of five young women eating lunch, puzzled by the exercise, ask what's going on and jokingly offer help. The officers play along, smile and wave back.

The police boat comes prepared for just about anything. In this exercise, it's easy -- the seas are gentle and the Coast Guard boat isn't damaged. But had it been a sinking ship, the police boat carries vacuum pumps to displace water quickly. And of course, they're armed with plenty of fire power -- but no guns are outwardly visible. The Coast Guard boat has a machine gun mount on the stern, points out Jensen -- but right now it's empty. If a high threat level should occur, Jensen says the Guard can lock down the lake in a hurry.

Coming about and heading back to the lake, Jensen announces that it's time for a man overboard drill. And he's not kidding. He quickly sheds his blue police uniform and changes into a swimming suit. Bell smiles and shakes his head, uttering something to the extent of "I can't believe he's doing this."

"Watch this," he says. "I won't tell them when I'm going over and see how quickly they respond." If it's longer than a minute, he says, let them know he's overboard.

And just like that he jumps into the chilly water. Not 10 seconds later, Feldmeier yells "man overboard," and quickly brings the boat around in a circle.

Bell grabs the "monkey claw," a flotation device on the end of a rope, and instructs the "victim" to remain calm. He tosses the life preserver to Jensen while Feldmeier cuts the engine.

And just like that, the two officers pull Jensen back on the boat, barely getting wet in the process. The water is a cool 71 degrees, but the seas are choppier than they looked. But as a leader, Jensen says it's important for him to do these drills every once in a while.

But now he's cold, and with a storm rolling in, it's time to head back.

For this elite group, today was another routine patrol. The officers watch everything with more attention than a casual observer -- from checking if kids on boats are wearing life jackets, to seeing who's lingering around the pumping station, and even making sure there are no bodies washing up on the shore. These cops understand the need to be vigilant.

But they also know that theirs is a thankless job. They're privy to information, leads and busts that civilians will never know about; however, they take satisfaction in knowing their job contributes to the greater good. "Hey, if we wanted money and glory, we'd be in the NBA," jokes Feldmeier.

That's something to remember when they get those distress calls in the middle of a foggy night, surrounded by 10-ft. seas, which Feldmeier says is the worst part of the job that he really loves.

"If you don't do something positive, then you didn't do your job," says Jensen.

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42 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by OMCreader on Oct. 29, 2006 at 5:55 p.m. (report)

Nicole Anderson said: Don, thanks for giving back, first by being part of the Marines and then by going one step further and continuing to serve the city of Milwaukee. Men don't stay in jobs they hate and don't gain respect from the men they lead unless they are good leaders. So thank you for keeping American's safe and being there for the public when they need you most, whether your recognized or not.

Posted by OMCreader on Sept. 11, 2006 at 9:12 a.m. (report)

Don Jensen said: Thanks for the positive article about the Milwaukee Police Harbor Patrol. These men work hard, on a daily basis, in all kinds of weather to protect and serve the citizens of Milwaukee and beyond. I am proud of my crew, their dedication to the job and community, and commitment to excellence. We have a saying on the hatch to our room "American by birth - Harbor Patrol by choice - Urah!" Don Jensen Sgt MPD Harbor Patrol Underwater Investigation Unit

Posted by OMCreader on Sept. 5, 2006 at 9:10 a.m. (report)

Amber Amerman said: Don-You did a good job of bringing some positive light to Milwaukee, I especially liked your man overboard drill. Next time, you should take a sauna before you jump in!

Posted by OMCreader on Sept. 3, 2006 at 5:48 p.m. (report)

John Q. Public said: A few simple facts that seem to have been overlooked: Homeland Security did not create the MPD Harbor Patrol. The Harbor Patrol has long existed; Homeland Security simply added to their workload. The Coast Guard is a branch of the federal military service. Not a law enforcement agency. The DNR does not have enough agents to properly maintain an adequate force in Milwaukee County and all of the other Wisconsin counties, so it relies upon the MPD as local law enforcement and state-defined DNR agents to handle the majority of the workload here (Similar to the way the State Patrol works with the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office). Statistically, 12 more officers, even assigned to the same work location, would only increase the number of officers present at any given moment by 4. These are good guys working on a needed unit that has finally received the backing and equipment it has long needed. Milwaukee would be much better off if the Police Department pulled all those traffic motorcycle officers every Brewer and Bucks game and city and street festival monopolizes. Even better: If the Milwaukee Public School System were required to reimburse the city for all the hours wasted by Police Department personnel in their buildings the annual police overtime budget could be halved.

Posted by OMCreader on Aug. 30, 2006 at 2:12 p.m. (report)

Lyn Nelson said: Boy, after reading the comments on here, I can't believe all the "political" mumbo jumbo some people brought up. I think the author was just trying to highlight an aspect of the law enforcement in Milwaukee that no one really knows about. Guess from now on they should just keep it under cover.....