By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
March was a time for honoring law enforcement both at the county and local levels.
Berrien County Commissioners took time out of their meeting March 17 to honor a Berrien County Sheriff’s Deputy, while Buchanan City Commissioners honored a retiring police officer at their meeting March 28.
County Commissioners paused their meeting to honor Deputy Christian Campbell for meritorious service. Sheriff Paul Bailey and Undersheriff Chuck Heit made the presentation to Campbell for his actions on Feb. 22 in Benton Harbor.
They noted that Campbell secured the scene, arrested the suspect and rendered aid to the victim. Campbell apprehended Tyonte Burnett who had allegedly just shot and wounded an individual in the city of Benton Harbor.
“Deputy Christian Campbell was cited and commended for his actions on February 22, 2022 in the apprehension of an armed suspect who had just shot and wounded an individual in the City of Benton Harbor,” Bailey said.
“His courage, tenacity, and resourcefulness were instrumental in the successful apprehension of this individual and the recovery of the firearm used, thus preventing potential harm to other officers and civilians. He is also commended for providing aid to the victim after securing the scene.”
“Deputy Campbell is recognized for his outstanding effort to apprehend a violent, armed felon under difficult circumstances,” he added. “He also exhibited extreme professionalism while providing basic first aid to the shooting victim.”
In Buchanan, City Commissioners honored Officer Dave Capron on his retirement. Capron served in the Buchanan Police Department for 26 years.
In addition to recognizing Capron for his service to the community, commissioners also heard about 2021 activities from Public Safety Director Tim Ganus as he presented his annual report.
As public safety director, he oversees public safety matters in the city including collaborating with Fire Chief Mike Adams, coordinating with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department and working with Fire Inspector John Poehner.
He also works with other city staff to develop revised and updated city ordinances such as those for recreational burning and parking and working with the Department of Public Works to replace faded and old stop signs throughout the city.
Ganus reported that the department currently has himself as chief, an administrative assistant, two sergeants, six patrol officers, three part-time patrol officers, 25 volunteer reserve officers and two volunteer chaplains.
Department personnel took part in several video and other training sessions in 2021 on a variety of topics. Those topics included legal updates, Narcan, physical control tactics, high risk traffic stops, use of force, tasers, firearms and cultural diversity, he said.
The department’s reserve officers volunteered 2,204 hours of service to the city last year. They do everything from riding along on patrols with full time officers, attending high school sporting events, taking part in holiday patrols and staffing parades and other special events such as Red Bud Track & Trail, Halloween and Trek & Treat.
Department members take part in other community events as well, including the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program for local students, the Bicycle Rodeo each June, National Night Out each August, Faith and Blue which is a partnership with 10 faith-based Buchanan organizations, giving Thanksgiving baskets and taking kids to “Shop with a Cop.”
The volunteer chaplains work with the police and fire departments and are available to assist families in times of crisis, he said.
In other departmental news, he noted that Officer John Leonard was recently promoted to sergeant. In addition, the department has welcomed new officer Nick Pensari.
2021 by the numbers included 3,144 calls for service, 209 property related complaints, 82 family related complaints, 1,469 public peace, medical/general assist related complaints, 90 larceny related complaints, 42 fraud related complaints and 50 assault/domestic related complaints.
Department officers patrolled 47,101 miles of road coverage throughout the city in 2021. Officers made 160 arrests, handled 149 warrant requests and issued 547 citations. 423 parking citations were given as were 362 verbal warnings.
Ganus reported that the department served three search warrants and seized illegal narcotics which were sent to the Berrien County Drug Lab. The department also cooperated in efforts by the Southwest Michigan Drug Enforcement Team and other area law enforcement agencies in seizing heroin, meth, firearms and other items.
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