By Joe Morey
News Editor
The LCO Police Department announced the passing on Sunday, Sept. 19, of their drug investigator, Sgt. Dominic Ciatti, who had been battling cancer.
“It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that I inform you of the passing of one of Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Police Departments Finest. On this past Sunday morning Drug Investigator, K-9 Officer, Sgt. Dominic Ciatti lost his long, courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer,” the LCO Police announced on their Facebook Page.
A law enforcement procession will leave the LCO Police Department at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday morning, September 29, which is located about half mile south of the Sevenwinds Casino on Hwy K. The procession will go west on Hwy B into Hayward and then proceed 10 miles North on Hwy 63 from Hayward to Seeley where a Celebration of Life will be held for law enforcement, friends and relatives at 11:00 a.m. at the Lenroot Lodge.
Ciatti had been with the LCO Police Department since May of 2012 and served as the drug investigator and has been the department’s K9 Officer with K9 Justice since June of 2013. Prior to working at LCO, he served in Bad River with the Ashland County Sheriff’s Department from 2003 to 2011 where he worked with the Town of Hayward Police Department until coming to LCO.
LCO Police Chief Tim DeBrot said his passing is a tremendous loss to our community.
“He was very passionate about fighting drugs. It will take us a while to get back up there where he had us,” DeBrot said. “Whoever takes his place has some big shoes to fill.”
DeBrot said he was such a great drug investigator that he was averaging 15 to 22 drug arrests per month. He noted that Ciatti even worked hard after he had become sick three years ago.
“He was a great officer and he was dedicated to law enforcement and moved up the ranks pretty quickly at LCO,” DeBrot noted.
The LCO Police Department is holding a fundraiser at the Tribal Office on Friday, Oct. 1, from 11:00 a.m. till gone. The funds will help with Sgt. Ciatti’s funeral expenses. They will be serving chicken or Italian beef sandwiches on fry bread. The plate will include mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, tuna salad and beverage. Deliveries are available by calling 715-699-0086.
They will also be holding a 50/50 raffle.
Sgt. Dominic Ciatti with K9 Justice
