Students, instructor assist county sheriff in investigation

May 18, 2015

From left, Peter Killoran, lecturer in sociology, criminology and anthropology; student Richard Birkholz, Walworth County Undersheriff Kevin Williams, student Soledad Gonzalez and Walworth County Sheriff Kurt Picknell. Submitted photo.

On May 14, two University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students and their instructor received a civilian service award from the Walworth County Sheriff's Office for aiding with the investigation of a missing person.

The investigation began September 14, 2014, when the sheriff's office received a complaint of a missing adult who disappeared August 24.

The search took place at the Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy near Williams Bay, Wisconsin, and forensic science experts were called to assist.

Peter Killoran, lecturer in sociology, criminology and anthropology, along with two students, Soledad Gonzalez and Richard Birkholz, donated their time to assist in investigating the scene. They spent numerous hours and used their own equipment during the search, according to the sheriff's office. Eventually the deceased individual was located in the conservancy.

In recognition of Killoran and his students, the sheriff's office honored them with a civilian service award, which reads, in part, "The services Professor Killoran and his students provided were at their own expense. We greatly appreciate their willingness to donate not only their time, but their expertise to the investigation. Therefore the Walworth County Sheriff's Office presents Professor Peter Killoran, Soledad Gonzalez and Richard Birkholz with the Public Service Award."