APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Appleton Post Office is renamed to honor a firefighter who was tragically killed in the line of duty.
Appleton firefighter, Mitchell Lundgaard, was shot and killed in 2019 while responding to a medical call at the Valley Transit Center.
To commemorate his life, the Appleton Post Office was officially renamed the “Mitchell F. Lundgaard Post Office” during a ceremony Wednesday.
“The House Resolution 9335 designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 410 Franklin Street in Appleton, Wisconsin as the Mitchell F. Lundgaard Post Office building,” said Brad Koenig, Appleton’s Post Office Operations Manager.
Lundgaard was a Green Bay native and served with the Appleton Fire Department for 14 years, where he achieved the rank of Driver Engineer.
“Mitch loved his community,” said Lindsey Lundgaard-Lindberg, Lundgaard’s wife. “He loved serving others and lived his life doing so.”
While responding to a medical call in May of 2019, the incident escalated into shots being fired.
“It’s truly hard to believe that it’s been over four years since that heartbreaking day,” said Lundgaard-Lindberg.
He left behind Lindsey and three sons.
“Evan, Logan, Ryan and I miss Mitch every single day,” said Lundgaard-Lindberg. “But I know he’s always looking down and guiding us.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-8th District, introduced the bill in 2021 to rename the post office.
“Today we come together and we take another step, it may seem like a small step, but it’s an important step to ensure that Mitch’s life and legacy are never forgotten,” said Gallagher.
Gallagher, who was a featured speaker at Wednesday’s event, says Lundgaard’s story should never be forgotten.
“Just by living a life based on good values and a life of service, you can have a profound impact,” said Gallagher. “Just look at all the people here today, like myself that didn’t know Mitch personally, but yet, have been inspired by his actions while he was on this earth. So while his death was tragic and nothing can heal the hole that that created, ultimately his story and his life is still inspiring.”
He adds without the support from the Appleton community, this wouldn’t be possible.
“Today’s event is the culmination of three years of hard work that I hope will be a small way to ensure Mitch’s name and story lives on,” said Gallagher.
Appleton Mayor, Jake Woodford, says it’s important to always remember the sacrifices that are made by those who serve.
“This community has rallied around the Lundgaard family from the beginning and we will continue to do that,” said Woodford. “His legacy is strong here in the city of Appleton and having a federal building renamed in our community only reinforces that.”
A plaque will now hang in the post office stating this building is named in honor of Lundgaard.
Lundgaard also has a park named after him.
