Brett Albert Winkelman

Brett Albert Winkelman born on August 10, 1951 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away suddenly on June 26, 2023. Brett was the son of Earl Albert and Lorraine MacIntosh Winkelman. He was the middle child of three, Wendy Lauer (Don) and the late Traci Szwedko (Bob). Brett grew up in Glenshaw, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Shaler High School in 1970. He worked at several jobs before moving to Utah to work in the family business Winmark Inc. At the age of forty, he made the decision to pursue a life-long dream of becoming a police officer. Through hard work and dedication, he saw the fruition of that dream, working as a Reserve Conservation Officer for DWR; Deputy Park Ranger at East Canyon State Park; Deputy Sheriff at Morgan County Sheriff’s Office; and Officer at Farmington City Police Department from where he retired in 2013. While at FPD, Brett completed the Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training PSP-2 and became certified as a dog handler with his K9 Nikita as a Narcotics Detector Dog from 1992 to 2002. In February of 2002, Officer Winkelman became the School Resource Officer/Community Resource Officer until May 2010. His love for and helping kids was a highlight of his career setting him up to become well-liked and a legend in the community. In 2008, Officer Winkelman was honored as D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year for the State of Utah. Officer Winkelman also served his community as an EMT, a Hunter Education Instructor with Division of Wildlife Resources, and also as a CPS (Child Passenger Safety) Technician with both the State of Utah and Nationally. Brett was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Utah Peace Officers Association, and The International Canine Narcotics Detection Foundation, Inc.

Brett married his best friend Cathy Marie Winkelman on a beautiful autumn evening, September 25, 1981 at Zion Lutheran Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. They have been dedicated to each other for 41 years bringing together a blended family of sons Richard Paul Galley (Amber Nicole) of Aberdeen, North Carolina; Brian Kenneth Galley (Wendy Faye) of Smithton, Pennsylvania; and Brett Albert Winkelman, Jr. of Jeanette, Pennsylvania. Their family also includes four grandchildren; Dakota Paul Galley, Earl “BJ” Galley, Whitney Marie Galley, and Nicholas Shea Galley; and a great-grandson Everitt. Because of employment requirements, Brett and Cathy lived in Sandy, Utah (1981-1995); Mountain Green, Utah (1995-1998); and since 1998 in Syracuse, Utah, making many beloved and special friends in each area.

After their respective retirements, Brett and Cathy purchased a motorhome. During those years, they traveled through 38 states, compiling many wonderful memories – and some “scary ones” – as they made three cross-country trips allowing them to help Cathy’s parents, and spend time with their children, grandchildren, family and friends. Recently downsizing from the motorhome to a smaller trailer, they were preparing to set out for more adventures. While visiting Richard’s young family at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, Brett and Cathy visited many countries in Europe. These travels were far beyond any the couple had ever expected giving them many wonderful memories. Their trips back to the home state of Pennsylvania were always special with Brian and Wendy’s family as well as a large extended family.

The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the Syracuse City Ambulance, Syracuse Fire, and Syracuse City Police Departments, as well as the doctors, nurses, and medical staff at Davis Hospital, for their incredible and valiant attempts to save this great man.

Plans are being made for a Celebration of Life to be held in Farmington at a later time.