Milwaukee Fallen Heroes INC. has one goal, to assist law enforcement officers, especially those with the Milwaukee Police Department as well as their dependents, in the event of an officer’s death, injury disability or extraordinary need. Consider donating today to a specific cause.
About Us.
Board of Trustees
Andrew Wagner
President
Andrew Wagner has served with the Milwaukee Police Department since 1997. Andrew is currently the President of the Milwaukee Police Association. Prior to his role as President he was the Vice President. Prior to his roles with the Milwaukee Police Association Andrew was assigned to the Sensitive Crimes Division where he was part of the Domestic Violence High Risk Team. Andrew has instructed other law enforcement officers and District Attorneys from around the state on best practices in investigating crimes against women and children.
Alexander Ayala
Vice President
Danilo Cardenas
Secretary & Treasurer
Danilo Cardenas is a 22-year veteran of the Milwaukee Police Department and has had
assignments in patrol and the Sensitive Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Bureau. He is currently a Police Liaison Officer for the Milwaukee Police Association as the Secretary/Treasurer. Danilo served 23 years in the military, in both the U.S. Marine Corps and Illinois Army National Guard where he earned a Bronze Star for Service in Afghanistan. Danilo was born and raised in Chicago but has called Milwaukee home for almost 20 years and believes Milwaukee is the best city for festivals. He is service oriented and enjoys helping others, which is a major reason for his decision to serve on the Board of the Milwaukee Police Association. He is also the President of a non-profit organization of law enforcement officers that gives back to the community. Danilo is an avid baseball fan and has traveled to almost every MLB ballpark.
Shawn C. Lauda
Business Member
Shawn C. Lauda retired from the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) after over 26 years of service. He served in various assignments throughout his police career, most of which were in specialty units. Some of his experience includes tactical operations while assigned to the Street Crimes Unit, undercover operations and gang infiltration as a deputized agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), and the apprehension of suspects wanted for violent felonies as a member of the Fugitive Apprehension Unit. He served seven (7) years as a full-time union executive with the Milwaukee Police Association (MPA), holding the positions of Trustee, Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President, and ultimately President, which he retired as. He has also been a board member of the Milwaukee Police Association Fallen Heroes, Inc. since its inception, beginning as its first Treasurer and eventually becoming the CEO and President before retiring in 2020.
Jonathan Cermele
Legal Member
Jonathan Cermele has served on the Milwaukee Police Association Fallen Heroe’s Board since its inception. A 1992 graduate of the University of Dayton School of Law, Jon has represented the Milwaukee Police Association as its legal counsel since 1996. He has represented law enforcement officers and their unions exclusively for almost twenty-five years, focusing on contract arbitration, criminal investigations, critical incidents, disciplinary hearings, and civil litigation involving constitutional rights, personal injury, and claims of discrimination/retaliation. He has successfully represented hundreds of officers throughout Wisconsin, litigating more than forty-five cases in the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, seven cases in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and eight cases in the Seventh Circuit Federal Court of Appeals.