Michigan Sheriffs' Association

Livingston County Jail celebrates 101 GED graduates Inmates at the Livingston County Jail are furthering their education to better their future.

September 30th, 2024
PRESS RELEASE

Benzie County Sheriff’s Office K9 Omar has received donation of body armor

Benzie County Sheriff’s Office, MI, K9 Omar has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Omar’s vest was sponsored by Allison Merrill of SunDog Kennel of Traverse City, MI and embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Janke, Joani Asch & SunDog Zuri”.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,760 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.
The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $985 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1800.00, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.
Benzie County Sheriff Kyle Rosa 231-882-4484

After 39 years of faithfully delivering packages to our Office we bid farewell to UPS driver, Doug H as this is his last day at work. Congrats and have a great retirement.

Happy Retirement to Deputy Vonda Evers!
After 25+ years of working in the Road Patrol division, Deputy Vonda Evers checked off duty for the last time on Saturday, September 14.

Deputy Evers spent her career in road patrol, she was also a Field Training Officer for many new hires and many years. She also served on the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team!

Thank you, Vonda, for your dedication to the citizens of Allegan County and to the Sheriff's Office! Enjoy your retirement as it is well deserved! Congratulations!!!

Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young and Undersheriff Bryan Muir were honored to present the West Michigan Survivors of Su***de Loss with a donation from our Su***de Awareness Patch fundraiser. We are grateful this organization is readily available to walk alongside survivors of su***de.

To learn more about this non-profit please visit their page or website: wmsosl.com

MSA is pleased to have been invited, by the Michigan Public Safety Drone Association, to meet with US Senator Gary Peters today to discuss pending federal drone legislation, inclusive of the Countering CCP Drones Act, which calls for a blanket ban on the use of all DJI, a Chinese company’s, drone products in the US. The meeting was held in Burton, Michigan, and it was attended by numerous law enforcement representatives from across the state. The attendees spoke of the perils of prohibiting the operation of Chinese made drones, in that 133 out of 134 law enforcement agencies in Michigan are known to operate Chinese made drones. Many drone operation stories were shared. The conversation included discussion that the Chinese made drones perform better and are relatively inexpensive in comparison to the current drones manufactured in the U.S. Deputy Director Pfannes specifically informed Senator Peters that the MSA was in full support of (1) legislation that would authorize state and local law enforcement to use anti-drone technology as a means of countering drone threats posed by nefarious actors, and (2) that we were seeking a legislative exemption to allow law enforcement agencies to employ drones, equipped with non-US technology, to fly in areas that are not identified by the FAA as restricted airspace over secured/sensitive facilities, such as nuclear plants, and to allow flights over these areas provided the drone had been outfitted with US technology that would ensure the security of data captured by the drone. Senator Peters clearly recognized the multiple dimensions associated with drone use, inclusive of the value they provide to law enforcement and other first responders as well as the threats drones may pose by bad actors. He seemed to be receptive to the concept of the need for law enforcement to retain the ability to use these tools as well as the necessity of ensuring sensitive data does not fall into the hands of our adversaries.
The following members of MSA were in attendance at the meeting with Senator Peters:
Sheriff Chris Swanson, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
Undersheriff Mike Tocarchick, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth, Ingham County Sheriff’s Office
Lt. Robert Boerkel, Ingham County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Michelle Lajoye-Young, Kent County Sheriff’s Office
Undersheriff Brian Muir, Kent County Sheriff’s Office
Lt. Chad Sell, Livingston County Sheriff’s Office
Captain David Raymond, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Director, Dan Pfannes, MSA

It is with extreme sadness that Sheriff Wilk announces the the passing of Mackinac County Sheriff’s Deputy Isaac Harrigan. Isaac selflessly dedicated 17 years of faithful service to the citizens of Mackinac County.

Isaac served in many capacities of the Sheriff’s Office over the years. Isaac also served the county as an EMT for Straits Area EMS. The void that his absence brings to the Office and community will be forever felt.

Isaac will be greatly missed from Law Enforcement and from all in the community that he served. Isaac leaves behind his wife Jessica and two children.

Please keep Isaac’s family and MCSO family in your thoughts and prayers.

Funeral arrangements will be posted as they become available.

We want to congratulate Deputy Austin for her recent graduation from the Grand Rapids Community College Corrections Academy! We wish her success as she continues her career in the Corrections Division at OCSO!

KCSO celebrates National Forensic Science Week! These men and women complete the work behind the scenes, which is vital in solving criminal cases. Some of their recent achievements are listed below:

-Kim obtained her Level 4 LEVA Certification.
-Stephanie was qualified as an Expert Witness in Blood Pattern Analysis by the 63rd District Court.
-Jerry and Sarah were selected to be our first Latent Print Examiners.
-Morgan was promoted to a Specialist.
-Andrew completed his field training and already had his first AFIS hit!
-Aly is finishing training to become our first IAI Certified Crime Scene Investigator.

KCSO is grateful to all our specialists for their dedication.

The Sheriff's office would like to congratulate our two graduates from the Grand Rapids Community College's Corrections Academy.

Deputy Alleman and Deputy Jimenez completed the course last week and we wish them the best throughout their careers with our office.

Pictured Below (L to R)

Sgt Stapler, Deputy Alleman, Deputy Jimenez, Sgt Runions and Captain Cook.

Sheriff Troy Goodnough is proud to announce the hiring of Deputies Dan Fenske (pictured right) and Reese Fish.

Dan Fenske moved here from Rochester, Minnesota with his wife and dogs. Dan has a degree in Criminal Justice. He enjoys exploring new parks with his family, photography, and woodworking.

Reese Fish was born and raised in Duluth, Minnesota. He received his degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth where he studied Criminal Justice. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting and fishing.

Welcome Deputy Fenske and Deputy Fish!

The Michigan Sheriffs’ mourn with the family of Officer Kerstetter and the Michigan State Police. Rest in peace Officer Kerstetter, rest in peace.