The Kent County Sheriff Department is pleased to announce that the following employees have been selected as the 2016 Deputies of the Year and Civilian Employee of the Year:

Jennifer Robinson, Emergency Communications Supervisor 1, selected as 2016 Civilian Employee of the Year

Deputy Paul Rodriguez, selected as 2016 Deputy of the Year-Corrections

Deputy Andrew Kozal, selected as 2016 Deputy of the Year -Law Enforcement

John Shumay, selected as the 2016 Traffic Squad Special Deputy of the Year

These individuals were honored during the Kent County Sheriff Department Annual Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 4, 2017.

Jennifer Robinson

Jennifer Robinson, ECS 1, 2016 Civilian employee of the year

Jennifer began her career at the Kent County Sheriff Department on June 10, 2010 as an Emergency Communications Operator 1 in the Communications Center. Her duties included receiving emergency calls, dispatching proper equipment or personnel, typing call notes, and maintaining two-way radio communication for first responders. On September 30, 2013, she was promoted to Emergency Communications Supervisor 1, providing work direction for operators responsible for dispatching emergency calls.

Jennifer wears many hats and, with the addition of Wyoming Public Safety, her role has become more complex. She not only supervises “C” squad, she also manages the Communication Training Officer (CTO) program and oversees the Dispatch Academy.

Paul Rodriguez

Deputy Paul Rodriguez, 2016 Deputy of the year-Corrections

Paul began his career at the Kent County Sheriff Department on February 14, 2000 as a Corrections Officer, responsible for the general supervision and custody of inmates, conducting inmate searches, transfers, and investigations regarding alleged incidents within the facility.

Paul is assigned to night shift as a C-Letter, assigned as D/B rover. He is willing and capable to work any position within the jail and does so without complaint.

Deputy Rodriguez possesses great communications skills. Not only when relating with his co-workers but a necessity when diffusing situations with inmates. Deputy Rodriguez is knowledgeable in tactics to manage the jail population. He assists his partners with policy and best practices while managing the inmate population. He provides less experienced staff with veteran leadership when handling adverse situations within the jail.

Andrew Kozal

Deputy Andrew Kozal, 2016 Deputy of the year-law enforcement

Andy began his career at the Kent County Sheriff Department as an Emergency

Communications Operator on March 11, 2002. He was transferred to a County Patrol Officer on September 22, 2003. Since 2007, he has been assigned as School Resource Officer (SRO) at Northview High School. As an SRO, Andy trained 400 staff members at Northview Public Schools in active shooter response, including teaching Civilian Response to Active Shooter (CRASE). In Fall 2016, Andy brought CRASE training to a Church Safety Summit, teaching 150 church staff members.

Andy builds relationships with students by simply being present and interacting with them. He gives short safety programs teaching Halloween, bike, and gun safety. During Public Safety Day, Andy invites police and firefighters to serve lunch to over 300 students. For students struggling with behavior issues, he works with teachers, counselors, and parents to mentor the student and reinforce good behaviors. If the student meets their goals, they are awarded by being a “junior deputy” for the day. In the 7th-8th grades, Andy uses the

Teaching, Educations, and Mentoring (T.E.A.M) program, teaching good citizenship, laws, leadership, and police work, using current events for that day’s lesson.

Andy works with Plainfield Fire and Mercy Health Systems to develop and complete a fatal car crash presentation for the junior class, including multiple “victims,” crashed vehicles, emergency responders, extractions, an emergency room scene, and courtroom re-enactment. The presentation takes the students through an emotional roller coaster and has an immense impact, bringing home the realization of the dangers of distracted driving.

In order to provide the school district the greatest value, a School Resource Officer must build a trusting relationship, assess their needs, and develop pertinent school programs. Andy exemplifies this ability in his work as the Northview’s School Resource Officer.

John Shumay

Deputy John Shumay, 2016 Traffic Squad Special Deputy of the Year

John Shumay joined the Kent County Sheriff Department’s Traffic Squad in August of 2009. He completed and graduated from the Traffic Squad Reserve Officer Academy in May of 2010. Although John has been involved in several varying aspects of The Squad, he has been particularly passionate about training and the reserve academy. In 2014 he was appointed Training Lieutenant and Senior Lieutenant in 2015, becoming part of The Squad’s administrative team. In that position, he has been tasked with managing and coordinating the academy for the past three years.

Managing the academy is no small task as it requires an annual review and update of the classes and curriculum, which is done in conjunction with the Department’s Training Unit. Once that process is completed, John is responsible for coordinating and scheduling the classes, the instructors, and then conducting the four-plus hour classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings from the first of December through mid-May of the following year. This constitutes a significant commitment of both time and energy.

In addition to his commitment to the academy, John coordinates the annual continuing education and training for those who are in the Enforcement Unit. He also maintains an active involvement in the Enforcement Unit and the administrative team.

Cedar Springs brewing staff includes (from L to R): Director of Happiness, David Ringler; Benevolent Overlord of Brewing, Matt Peterson; and Fräulein Brewster, Manda Geiger.

It’s been a banner year for the Cedar Springs Brewing Company, the restaurant and brewery that opened in November 2015 and continues to win accolades from loyal customers and critics alike. In May, customers voted it the best brewery in West Michigan. In June/July, customers nominated them for their fried chicken and MLive visited and named them as one of the best (#11 out of 52) in their search for Michigan’s best fried chicken, calling it absolutely delicious.

In May, they came in at number five out of MLive’s top 10 new breweries in Michigan. Customers nominated their favorite new breweries all across the state (from 2012 til now), and then MLive reporters Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez visited 30 finalists before making their decision on the top 10. When writing about Cedar Springs Brewing Company, they talked about how owner David Ringler learned to brew in Germany, and how his love for their country, traditions and traditional beers is infectious. They called his German beers excellent examples of classic styles, and called the Cedar Springs beer, CSIPA, a subtle, clean, quality beer. “The beers have nothing to hide behind, and don’t need to,” they wrote. “Their taste speaks volumes.”

In October, the brewery’s Küsterer Original Weissbier was the recipient of the bronze medal in the “South German Wheat Ale” category at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival, held in Denver, Colorado.

“We are immensely proud to have brought home this award to Cedar Springs and Beer City, USA in our first competition,” stated owner David Ringler. “We are passionate about this style, along with Bavarian brewing traditions, and we continue to strive to get better every day. We thank everyone who has supported us along the way as this wouldn’t be possible without them.”

The Cedar Springs 2013 Woman of the Year award was presented to Caroline Bartlette

by Sue Harrison

The June meeting of the Cedar Springs Women’s Club was full of surprises, awards and installation of officers for 2013-2014. The colors of summer greeted members and guests who attended the June meeting as tables were spread with colorful blue, yellow, pink, and white tablecloths decorated with signs of summer:  sea shells, flip-flops, sand pails and shovels, and multicolored picnic napkins. The women enjoyed a wonderful catered luncheon that included chicken, shrimp, salads and ice cream sundaes.

The Cedar Springs 2013 Woman of the Year award was presented to Caroline Bartlette, by last year’s recipient, Cynthia Caldwell. Caroline was surprised to see her husband, David, and family members there to share in her celebration. Caroline has been a long time member of Women’s Club, has been an officer on the Board, and has worked on several committees including the Holiday Tea Committee.

Women’s Club 2013 Scholarship winner, Molly Caniff.

Next, the Women’s Club 2013 Scholarship was awarded to Molly Caniff, a 2013 graduate of Cedar Springs High School. Each year the Women’s Club $1000 scholarship is presented to a Cedar Springs woman who will use the money to further her education. Molly will be attending University of Detroit Mercy to work toward a BSN in Nursing.

For the final order of business for the day, the nominations committee installed the officers of the Cedar Springs Women’s Club who remained in the same offices as last year.  The following women were installed as officers for the 2013-2014 year:

President, Carolyn Davis

1st Vice President: Sue Harrison

2nd Vice President: Donna Clark

Secretary: Penny Darling

Corresponding Secretary: Sally Grayvold

Treasurer: Cindi Caldwell

Directors: Jan Hammersmith, Dorothy Bishop, Char Heim

Even though the Women’s Club does not meet during July and August, their activities still continue. The Women’s Club along with Independent Bank will be sponsoring one of the Concerts in Morley Park on Thursday June 20. In addition some Cedar Springs Women’s Club members and their guests will attend the Picnic Pops on July 19th.

Women’s Club cookbooks are also still available for $10 at the Cedar Springs Library or from any club member.

For more information about these activities or about joining Women’s Club, call 696-1939 or 696-0456.

Sgt. Tim Kraai, selected as 2010 Deputy of the Year - Corrections

Deputy Dennis Albert, selected as 2010 Deputy of the Year - Law Enforcement

Dina Emery, selected as 2010 Civilian Employee of the Year

The Kent County Sheriff Department is pleased to announce that the following employees have been selected as the 2010 Deputies of the Year and Civilian Employee of the Year:

Dina Emery, Clerk III (Records Bureau), selected as 2010 Civilian Employee of the Year
Sgt. Tim Kraai, selected as 2010 Deputy of the Year – Corrections
Deputy Dennis Albert, selected as 2010 Deputy of the Year – Law Enforcement

These three employees will be honored at the Kent County Sheriff Department Annual Awards Ceremony on Friday, March 4.

2010 Civilian employee of the year:  Berendina “Dina” Emery

Dina Emery began her career at the Kent County Sheriff Department on December 23, 1991 as a Microfilm Clerk I in Records Bureau. Dina’s excellent clerical skills were readily discernible in her work on a daily basis and, as a result, was counted on to temporarily fill in for co-workers on medical leave, including as Clerk Typist II in the Records Bureau and as Clerk II in the Inmate Accounting Office in the Jail.

On October 11, 1993, Dina was promoted to Clerk II in the Records Bureau.  Over the years, she’s been given extra responsibilities and has always performed those tasks with excellence.  On February 3, 2003, Dina was promoted to Clerk III and served as the Technology and Communications Division administrative assistant.  She has an essential role in the coordination of technology, purchasing, records, equipment and personnel, not only for the Technology and Communications Division but for the entire department. She has the responsibility of organizing, notifying, and tracking all the training that occurs off-site as well as through the West Michigan Criminal Justice Training Consortium.

Dina provides valuable input and leadership as the Kent County Sheriff Office moves forward with new technology and re-organization. She comes to work each day prepared and with an exceptional attitude that consists of compassion, patience, commitment, and competency.

We congratulate Berendina Emery on being named 2010 Civilian Employee of the Year.

2010 Deputy of the year–law enforcement:  Deputy Dennis Albert

Dennis Albert began his career on May 27, 1996 at the Kent County Sheriff Department as a Cadet, working part time and attending college full time.  As Cadet, Dennis’ assignments included providing administrative support to staff, statistical data collection, report writing, operation of security gates, and contact with the public.

In April 1998, Dennis resigned to attend the police academy full time at Grand Valley State University and, upon graduation from the police academy he was rehired on March 15, 1999 as a County Patrol Officer.

Throughout his career at the Sheriff Department, Dennis has been selected for numerous positions of increasing responsibility.  Some of these include Field Training Officer, FBI Fugitive Task Force member, Detective, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Firearms Instructor, and Tactical Team Officer.  Dennis often volunteers for additional responsibilities and does so with tremendous enthusiasm, including serving as a member of the Department’s Honor Guard.

During his career, Dennis received numerous letters of appreciation from both citizens and his supervisors.  Also over the years, he received five official department Letters of Recognition as well as receiving the Distinguished Police Service Award in 2005 for his role in arresting a serial bank robbery suspect. We congratulate Deputy Dennis Albert on being named 2010 Deputy of the Year – Law Enforcement.

2010 Deputy of the year–corrections:  Sergeant Timothy Kraai

Tim Kraai began his career on August 3, 1992 at the Kent County Sheriff Department as a Cadet, working part time and attending college full time.  As a cadet, Tim’s assignments included providing administrative support to staff, statistical data collection, report writing, operation of security gates, contact with the public, and working in dispatch.

Tim was hired part time as an Emergency Communications Operator on December 12, 1994.  He was hired full time as an Emergency Communications Operator on June 6, 1997.  In dispatch, he went above and beyond his responsibilities, always willing and wanting to take on new tasks and very good at his work.

He was hired as Corrections Officer on February 4, 2002.  As an officer assigned to the main jail facility, Tim worked virtually every duty station.  His responsibilities included conducting inmate searches, transfers and investigations regarding alleged incidents, admitting visitors, conducting inmate counts, inspecting living quarters, and assisting in the Inmate Services Program.  Tim quickly became someone you could count on to do the job right. He was a leader among his peers, well liked and respected.

One of Tim’s recent assignments included the Training Unit. He worked diligently to see that the many demands on that division were handled and kept the department functioning during a period of not having a supervisor or partner in the office.

Tim was promoted to Sergeant on November 9, 2009 and assigned in the main jail. He continues to do an excellent job with the new responsibilities and projects.

We congratulate Sgt. Timothy Kraai on being named 2010 Deputy of the Year – Corrections.