Courier Press

Seneca High School will celebrate its graduating Class of 2019 Friday, May 31, at 8 p.m. in the school gym. Valedictorian is Alissa Rooney and Salutatorian Taylor Sime are the top two seniors this year. 

Valedictorian Alissa Rooney is the daughter of Timothy and Pamela Rooney, of Seneca. She is looking forward to attending Viterbo University this fall to major in nursing. 

During the past four years, Alissa feels she has grown into a responsible, hardworking and dependable young woman. She’s kept busy in FFA and the National Honor Society academically, while helping with class fundraisers and school blood drives when possible. But, it’s been her work on the family’s dairy farm that has given her the greatest responsibilities and life lessons.

On May 15, at a 12:15 a.m., the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call of a one-vehicle traffic crash on Highway 60 near Georgetown Road in the Marietta Township. 

A 2004 Buick Lesabre driven by Jasmine M. Kopp, 20, Mt. Hope, was westbound on Highway 60 when Kopp lost control due to the rear tire on the vehicle being an odd size. The vehicle’s rear end skipped, which caused the driver to go onto the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle continued on the right shoulder for 85 yards before striking a culvert. Once the vehicle struck the steep culvert, it became airborne for 25 yards before the front end hit the ground. The vehicle then went another 36 yards before coming to a stop on its wheels. Jordan L. Buroker, 19, Cazenovia, Wis., was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

On May 13, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit, along with the assistance of another deputy, conducted a traffic stop on a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu on S. Wacouta and E. Broadway streets in the city of Prairie du Chien. The deputies identified the driver as Randy Slaght, 34, Prairie du Chien. The passengers were identified as Abby Hiles, 36, Prairie du Chien, and Tod Frieden, 49, Waukon, Iowa. Hiles, who had an active warrant for her arrest, began moving things around her seat upon contact from the deputies. All three occupants displayed signs of drug use.

All members of the PdCPD answered 8 questions about themselves and their daily duties. Get to know the department more by reading their Q&As as follows. Feature compiled by Correne Martin • Photos by Lindsey Ludvik Photography

1. Name, family, hometown, academy name and other educational background?

2. Date you began with the PdC PD? Other previous related employment?

3. Current position and summary of duties?

4. Why did you want to become a law enforcement officer? 

5. What do you like about serving in a small community?