By Mary Drier (Contact / Staff Bio)
June 17, 2009 - 10:31 a.m. EST

SEBEWAING — Prayers and support are pouring in for a former Huron County resident who was shot in the line of duty for the Milwaukee Police Department last week.

Officers Graham Kunisch, 26, formerly of Sebewaing, and fellow officer Bryan Norberg, 21, were shot multiple times on June 9.

According to Milwaukee Police Department Media spokesperson Anne Schwartz, Kunisch is in critical condition.

“They are very private people,” said Schwartz, noting the family wants minimal contract with the press.

Kunisch is a 2001 Unionville - Sebewaing Area School District graduate.

“He is in critical condition, but responding. It is believed he is out of danger at this time,” said a family friend. “He is looking at a long recovery.”

Kunisch was shot four times. Norberg also received multiple injures. Both officers were taken to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Norberg was released from the hospital Saturday.

According to police and news reports, the two officers, who were each in uniform and driving a marked police cruiser, approached a male riding a bicycle about 3:10 p.m. on South Second Street, and the suspect opened fire without provocation.

Kunisch had been with the police department for 15 months, and Norberg about six months.

The suspect in the case is Julius Burton, 18. He was arrested shortly after the shooting. He has been charged with “two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide.” If found guilty, each count carries a maximum of 60 years in prison.

Burton is in custody with a $1 million bail.

TMJ-4 Milwaukee has set up a Web site, http://www.620wtmj.com/ to send prayers, and well-wishes that will be forwarded to the officers and their family.

Kunisch is the son of Mike and Linda Kunisch of Sebewaing.

Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com