MILWAUKEE COUNTY

Milwaukee leaders plan citywide cleanup day to honor slain home inspector Greg 'Ziggy' Zyszkiewicz

Mary Spicuzza
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Greg "Ziggy" Zyszkiewicz will be honored by Milwaukee leaders with a citywide cleanup day devoted to his memory.

The Common Council voted to commemorate Zyszkiewicz, a city home inspector who was shot and killed while on duty earlier this year.

More:Family, Milwaukee mourn 'dedicated civil servant' who was shot and killed on duty

The proposal was approved as part of the city's 2018 budget plan. It will not cost Milwaukee taxpayers, but instead will give employees the chance to volunteer their time to clean up neighborhoods around the city.

A family photo of Gregory "Ziggy" Zyszkiewicz and his wife Olha.

"The plan is to have a citywide cleanup day that would reach out into neighborhoods throughout the city," Council President Ashanti Hamilton told the Journal Sentinel. "There was a number of council members who wanted to do something to commemorate his life, and how long he had served for the city."

Hamilton said details for the cleanup day are still being worked out.

"We valued his contribution to the City of Milwaukee, the work throughout neighborhoods throughout the city, and trying to help create stable neighborhoods," Hamilton said. "We, as a city, we value that service. And that commitment."

Zyszkiewicz, who worked for the city for more than 30 years, was killed in March during an attempted carjacking while he was near N. 23rd and W. Cherry streets conducting a routine code violation inspection.

More:3 charged in Milwaukee city inspector's death during attempted carjacking

Ald. Russell W. Stamper II, who represents the district where Zyszkiewicz was killed, led the council's effort to commemorate him, Hamilton said.

Before last week's vote, Stamper spoke of his sadness over Zyszkiewicz's death and the importance of honoring and remembering him.

"If you talk to a lot of the employees, especially those that he trained, they say that he was a good example," Hamilton said. "He gave a lot, not just in his job capacity, but as an example for other employees."

In August, a memorial was dedicated to Zyszkiewicz on what would have been his 65th birthday. It sits in front of the Department of Neighborhood Services' Lake Tower on the city's south side.

More:Memorial dedicated for Milwaukee housing inspector killed in carjacking

More:Suspects in killing of Milwaukee home inspector had early run-ins with the law

A tribute to Zyszkiewicz is also featured on a "utility box mural" on S. 6th and W. Mitchell streets. The mural was created under a partnership with the city Department of Neighborhood Services, the Historic Mitchell Street BID, and the artists of the Walker’s Point Creative Collective, DNS spokeswoman Christina Klose said.

A utility box mural features a tribute to Greg "Ziggy" Zyszkiewicz.

Three males have been charged in Zyszkiewicz's death, and their cases are winding through the court system.