BROWN COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) Officer Israel Deutsch’s life has been touched by the deaths of four police officers.

Those deaths helped shape who he is today and why he is taking on one of the biggest challenge of his life.

“Every day we have to worry about when we go to work, if we’re going to die today and not come home,” said Officer Israel Deutsch, Hobart-Lawrence Police Department.

But like many law enforcement officers Iisrael Deutsch is dedicated to the job.

“I want to help other people make a difference of some sort,” explained Officer Deutsch.

Officer Deutsch decided he wanted to serve and protect at the age of 15, after the death of Officer Michael Baribeau in his hometown of Rice Lake.

“He died in the line of duty during a domestic violence incident. That’s how it all started, I saw how the community was affected by that officer who died,” explained Officer Deutsch.

7 years ago Officer Deutsch joined the Hobart -Lawrence Police Department where he learned about the tragic deaths of Officers Bob Etter and Stephanie Markins . The two were killed in the line of duty in 2002 when a suspect deliberately rammed into their squad.

“You hear about these incidents in California, New York or Chicago. But this is a small town, Hobart-Lawrence is a small community. And it hits home. It can happen anywhere. So every day I go to work and I think about that,” said Officer Deutsch.

Then 2 years ago, the tragic death of his friend and Mequon police officer Tyler Gaidish.

“He was an important person in my life. I’d gotten in that routine where I go to work come home, everyday. I realized I wanted more than that. And he kind of showed me after his death that I wanted to do something, get out of the routines,” explained Officer Deutsch.

So he chose a challenge— an Ironman Competition.

“Which consists of a 2.4 mile swim followed by a 112 mile bike and a full marathon at the end a 26.2 mile run,” said Officer Deutsch.

And he chose a cause– a charity called C.O.P.S, Concerns Of Police Survivors. The organization is dedicated to rebuilding shattered lives.

“C.O.P.S is a program that provides emotional support to law enforcement officers that died in the line of duty to their co-workers or family or friends,” said Officer Deutsch.

Through the Ironman fundraiser ‘Your Journey, Your Cause’, Officer Deutsch is trying to raise 25-thousand dollars for C.O.P.S.

Officer Deutsch will bike and run the ironman in his full uniform including 10 pound belt and 3 pound armored vest.

“I’m trying to show that other officers out there that they can do it too,” explained Officer Deutsch “Respect too for the officers that died in the line of duty,” said Officer

All to help and honor those who put their lives on the line for us every day.

“It’s a brother or sisterhood. It’s a feeling that they’re my family. That we have to get together and do something about it. It’s the emotional connection I have with them,: explained Officer Deutsch.

Officer Deutsch will be running the Madison ironman on September 7th.

Visit www.thinblueline2kona.com for more information.

follow Israel on facebook: thinblueline2kona or twitter @thinblueline2k.

donations cane be made at: http://www.crowdrise.com/fundraiser/edit/ironmanwisconsin/israeldeutsch

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