Lieutenant Kahnke has over 20 years of law enforcement experience working as a police officer and sheriff’s deputy. His career began working as a Police Officer in the Village of Fremont and City of Manawa in 2002. In 2005, he began serving for the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy and as a tactical member of the SWAT team. In 2013, Kahnke joined the Fond du Lac Sheriff’s Office to serve as a patrol deputy. In 2016, Kahnke was promoted to Patrol Sergeant where he supervised 2nd and 3rd shifts. In July of 2019, he was promoted to Lieutenant where he currently serves as the 3rd shift Commander of the patrol division.

Lieutenant Kahnke is entering his 15th year on the SWAT team and is currently the SWAT Team Commander. He had previously served as the Assistant Commander for two years. He has an extensive background in SWAT, which ranges from Advanced Ballistic Shield Operator Instructor, TEMS, TECC, and Less Lethal Munitions Instructor. Kahnke was formerly a Dive Team member from 2014 to 2023 and served as an Assistant Dive Team Leader. He holds certifications in Advanced Open Water, Evidence Recovery, Ice Diver, Deep Water Diver, and Rescue Diver. Lieutenant Kahnke is the Sheriff’s Office training coordinator and Wisconsin certified DAAT Instructor. He is also a former member of the Honor Guard team, a Stop the Bleed Initiative Instructor, Virtra Instructor, and an operator of the Sheriffs Amphibious Rescue Craft. He has previously served as a Field Training Officer and member of the Deputy Reserve Unit.

Lieutenant Kahnke is a graduate of Fox Valley Technical College and holds an associate’s degree in Police Science. He has received additional training in leadership, critical incident management, and tactical operations planning. Lieutenant Kahnke is a graduate of the National Tactical Officers Association Command Decision Making and Leadership Level I and Level II courses and the FBI-LEEDA Supervisory Leadership Institute, Command Leadership Institute, and Executive Leadership Institute. In 2018, Lieutenant Kahnke was appointed a position on the board of directors with the Wisconsin Association of SWAT Personnel where he continues to serve.