A joint press conference between the Sturgis Department of Public Safety (DPS), St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department (SJCSD), and the Michigan State Police (MSP) took place today at the St. Joseph County Training Center regarding the double homicide and officer-involved-shooting which occurred over the weekend.
Retired Det. Sgt. Chad Spence held a press conference in front of the St. Joseph County Courthouse Monday to officially announce his candidacy for St. Joseph County Sheriff in 2024, and reveal David Northrop as his running mate and undersheriff. Northrop and Spence have 53 years of combined law enforcement experience in various leadership roles.
St. Joseph County Commissioner and former undersheriff Dennis Allen announced his candidacy for sheriff Thursday, joining a crowded field that could grow larger before November 2024.
Spence said he believes he will bring an important virtue if elected as sheriff: accountability. While serving with MISSION Spence investigated other sheriff agencies in their internal investigations for several years — a job he says is necessary, though many don't want to do it. “Those investigations are important for our profession,” he said. “If there are things like misconduct they need to be dealt with, and they need to be held accountable so we can keep our professions the way they should be.”
St. Joseph County Sheriff Mark Lillywhite was sentenced to 12 months probation, ordered to pay more than $1,000 in fines, and will have his concealed pistol permit revoked after pleading guilty Monday in Kalamazoo County Eighth District Court to operating while intoxicated, and carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence.
A rally will be held on Saturday, March 11 at the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department for Brittany Wallace Shank of Sturgis, who has been missing since 2018.
St. Joseph County Sheriff Mark Lillywhite was arrested in the early morning hours of Sunday, February 26 following a two-vehicle crash in Schoolcraft Township, according to the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office. Lillywhite is expected to be arraigned on charges of operating while intoxicated and possession of a firearm while intoxicated.
A 91-year-old Three Rivers man was pulled from a burning structure Sunday night in Fabius Township but was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department.
The City of Three Rivers recently welcomed T.J. Reed as its newly appointed city attorney following the retirement of J. Patrick O’Malley. A Centerville resident but already-familiar face to the town, Reed’s extensive experience in municipal law should benefit Three Rivers as he begins his new role.
The St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department has issued a travel advisory for the county effective at 4 p.m. today, Thursday, December 22 until 1 p.m. Saturday, December 24 to coincide with the National Weather Service-issued blizzard warning.
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