By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
NILES, MI – Berrien County Commissioners honored a longtime public servant earlier this month at their last county board meeting of 2025. Berrien County Assistant Prosecutor Jerry Vigansky is retiring at the end of December after 35 years with the county, the last 10 years as the lead prosecutor in the Niles office.
The honorary resolution signed by County Commissioners noted that Vigansky graduated from Bridgman High School and then Hope College and Valporaiso University Law School. He began serving in the Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office in 1990 as an intern and was hired full time as an assistant prosecutor in 1991.
“This year marks the 35th year that Jerry has provided exemplary service for the citizens of Berrien County,” the resolution stated. “That service being positively acknowledged not only by the Prosecutor’s Office but by the Court and even the defense side of the law that has noted he is firm but flexible.”
The resolution noted Vigansky’s handling of thousands of cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies including nearly 100 jury trials. Notable trials he’s handled included the 1993 Tracy Martin case, which marked the first time DNA evidence had been introduced at trial in Berrien County. In addition, he handled the first and only case in the county to be solved through forensic genetic genealogy.
“Now, therefore be it hereby resolved that the Berrien County Board of Commissioners expresses its deepest appreciation and gratitude to Jerry Vigansky for his outstanding service, dedication, and leadership, and wishes him a happy, healthy well deserved retirement,” the resolution concluded.
Vigansky was on hand for the awarding of the honorary resolution along with current Berrien County Prosecutor Amy Byrd and fellow Assistant Prosecutors Mark Sanford and Jeff Taylor. Taylor retired last year but is still helping out part time. Vigansky has one more trial to handle later this winter before he will fully retire.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to work for Berrien County, for the citizens of Berrien County, and for this prosecutor’s office,” he told commissioners. “Miss Byrd, my current employer, is my seventh. I’ve worked with seven prosecutors.”
“I thank my wife and my family for all the support they have given me over the 35 years plus law school,” he added. “Without them, this job would have been really really tough. It’s been an honor. It’s tough but I find it the most rewarding thing that I’ve ever done. I really respect this job and this office.”
County Board Chairman McKinley “Mac” Elliott, a lawyer himself, reminisced about Vigansky and the prosecutor’s office as a whole. “This prosecutor’s office for many years has been the gold standard in the state of Michigan,” Elliott said. “I remember as a kid there was a commercial about the Pepsi challenge with Pepsi and Coke going at it. I’ll take the Pepsi challenge, I’d put this prosecutor’s office up against any in the state. There are some that are bigger but you have tremendous talent and experience here.”
Elliott listed all of the prosecutors Vigansky has served with, including Art Cotter, Angela Pasula, Dennis Wiley, Jim Cherry, Mike Sepic, Steve Pierangeli and now Byrd. “We are really fortunate,” he said. “We’re 11th in the state by population but Kalamazoo, GR, some of these other counties have more bodies but they don’t do any better than Berrien County. Jerry is one of those people who is why that is the case.”
County Board Vice-Chair Teri Freehling spoke about her friendship with Vigansky and his wife with their involvement with the Berrien County Youth Fair. “Your children [are] a testament to who you are, the cloth that you’re cut from. Thank you for your time, service and dedication to the county.”
Byrd also gave tribute to Vigansky.
“I’m sure this is more attention than Jerry wants,” she said. “Obviously I’ve worked with him my entire career. His name is always going to be synonymous with integrity and intelligence and a personal style that really is rarely seen outside the pages of GQ … It’s been an honor to work with him and to learn from him.”