COVID-19 is now the leading cause of death for police officers and firefighters in Wisconsin.
Last year, 308 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty due to COVID-19. Area first responders spoke on what they've been experiencing.
When the pandemic hit two years ago, the Kronenwetter Police Department stocked up on PPE and went into work every day prepared for anything.
"We were facing something that we had never seen before, so you know it was a totally different animal." said Terry McHugh, Chief of Kronenwetter Police Department. Officer Aaron Seehafer says that keeping a positive attitude and mindset is what keeps him going.
"I gotta be there, it's part of my job, so we keep going and stay positive." said Seehafer.