Lawmaker skipping parade after threat

FOND DU LAC - Fond du Lac police say the tension in Madison has spawned threats, they and a local lawmaker are acting on.

"We've taken them all seriously and we're happy to say that none of them have panned out yet here in Fond du Lac, so we're still vigilant," Deputy Chief Kevin Lemke said.

State Senator Randy Hopper, a Republican, has decided not to march in the city's St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday.

Hopper was among the Republican lawmakers who received death threats, in connection to the battle over collective bargaining and fixing a budget deficit.

Deputy Chief Kevin Lemke says officers advised Hopper not to attend.

The parade will start at 3:00 p.m. at Rees and Main and move south down Main Street. It is meant to be a family affair, but this year will have a significant police presence.

"Obviously people have a right to express their political views, we're just concerned for the safety of himself, participants and people that are there to enjoy the parade," Lemke explained.

Officers say the lawmakers' absence will take some of the pressure off enforcement, but security will be high in Fond du Lac and at other parades in the state.

Hopper wasn't available for a interview, however in a statement he said he was looking forward to the event, saying "I, in no way, want to put the citizens of Fond du Lac in harms way."

"This is a great democracy that people can express their views and we look at what's going on in the world and we see violence and we haven't had that here in the U.S. and in Wisconsin or Fond du Lac and I'm proud of the citizens and the way that they're handling themselves," Lemke said.

He just hopes it remains that way.

The state Department of Justice says it has identified one person who has been sending death threats to legislators in Madison.

Officials aren't saying much since the investigation is on-going.  However, they have said they located the female suspect on Thursday night.

They also say the suspect confessed to writing and sending two e-mails to lawmakers.