Community remembers beloved leader Wayne Strong

Wayne Strong, criminal justice certificate instructor in the Law School’s Center for Law, Society and Justice, died June 20. A former police officer and community member of the Wisconsin State Journal editorial board, Strong “always tried to give a voice to marginalized communities,” Executive Editor Kelly Lecker said.

Strong was a beloved community member, volunteer, mentor, coach, and instructor. He began working with CLSJ in June of 2021, bringing with him a wealth of experience in the Madison community, including 26 years in the Madison Police Department, where he served as neighborhood officer, sergeant and lieutenant. During his time at MPD, Wayne earned a Medal of Valor and Life Saving Awards.

“Our students felt privileged to be able to work with Wayne,” Lecker said. “Wayne was particularly committed to making our university more diverse, equitable and inclusive, and had begun to organize a program for CLSJ to reach out to local high schools to encourage kids to think about going to college and studying law and criminal justice.”

Learn more about Wayne Strong and his legacy at the link below.

“A tremendous loss for our community”: Madisonians remembers Wayne Strong