Letter to the Editor: Not All Heroes Wear Capes

Some wear khaki jackets and blue jeans. Some have white hair. Some waste police resources. Let me explain.

On June 16th, I brought my dog Guinness along with me to do some shopping with my sister. We parked in the Walmart parking lot and went into the store, leaving Guinness behind. The weather was a mild 65˚, and since it had been raining all day, the sky was overcast. We bought a movie and some chopsticks (we looked for some pens, but couldn’t find the right ones) and headed back out to our car only to find this wonderfully courageous gentleman talking on his cellphone. He asked my sister, “Is this your vehicle?” to which she didn’t respond. I finally told the gentleman that this was indeed my car, and with an arrogance that I can only describe as perfectly Alec Baldwin-ian, he informed me that he had called the police, and that he had saved my dog’s life.

Wow! I greatly appreciate that, sir! Clearly, since you were wearing a jacket it was far too hot out for a dog to be kept in a car. Clearly, my dog was in distress. Clearly you did the right thing! You refused to give me your name, the name of the wonderful man that saved my dog’s life! You then called me a moron, told whoever you were talking to that I had left, and said that you hoped I got a ticket.

The thing that upsets me most is that you left the scene without knowing how your courageous act played out. Let me give you a rundown. I called the Sturgeon Bay Police, told them that someone had called them about me, said that I was waiting, and asked if an officer was on the way. The woman I spoke to said “Unfortunately, yes.” The officer showed up, I gave him my information, and we shook hands and parted ways.  Unfortunately, you neglected to give the police your information, so they were not able to call and thank you for your valiant behavior.

I want to thank the Sturgeon Bay Police Department for the work they do every day, and for helping the citizens of Door County.  To the gentleman to whom this letter is directed – don’t waste police resources. I didn’t get a ticket. I did nothing wrong. Remind me, who is the moron? Have a blessed life.

Michael Stubenvoll

Fish Creek, Wis.