Memorial dedicated for Milwaukee housing inspector killed in carjacking
One foot in front of the other.
That's how Greg "Ziggy" Zyszkiewicz conquered his goals, whether it was climbing the stairs of skyscrapers like the U.S. Bank building or hiking Pikes Peak or running long distance races.
And it's how his family has managed in the past five months since his death.
Zyszkiewicz, a longtime city housing inspector, was shot and killed during an attempted carjacking March 22 while he was on duty.
"It's not easy putting that foot in front of the other," said his daughter, Heather Zyszkiewicz Sharafinski.
"My dad ran up a mountain and that's not easy but he did it," she said. "So I think that we owe him this. We owe him our best effort."
On Tuesday, Zyszkiewicz's family, friends and coworkers joined with Mayor Tom Barrett and other city officials to dedicate a memorial to his honor on what would have been his 65th birthday.
A boulder features a plaque with his name and sits across from a bench in the front of the Department of Neighborhood Services' Lake Tower on the city's south side.
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Zyszkiewicz was known for his annual birthday party, dubbed "Ziggy Fest," and the tradition continued this year.
"It's bittersweet," said his wife, Olha Zyszkiewicz. "I'd much rather have Greg here celebrating 'Ziggy Fest.' This was a big deal of a day."
She thanked all those who came out to celebrate her husband's memory and who have supported her family in recent months.
During the ceremony, Preston Cole, commissioner of the Department of Neighborhood Services, presented her with a department polo shirt.
The words "Ziggy Strong" were embroidered on the sleeve.
The slogan will be placed on the shirt of any department employee who wants one, Cole said.
"This is our commitment to Olha and her family: to never, ever forget Ziggy," he said.
Three people — Deshaun Scott and Qhualun Shaw, both 17, and Eric J. Smiley Jr., 21 — have been charged in his death.
Scott, the accused shooter, is charged with first-degree reckless homicide, while Shaw and Smiley are charged with felony murder.
The three were riding in a stolen Kia when they saw Zyszkiewicz's silver Ford Mustang and Scott took a shotgun to go carjack the vehicle, according to a criminal complaint.
The others heard a shot then saw Scott running back toward the Kia, and they drove off.
Shaw later told police that Scott said he panicked and fired when Zyszkiewicz grabbed for him, the complaint says.
Smiley's jury trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 11. Shaw is slated for a status conference on Oct. 10 and Scott's jury trial is scheduled for the same day.