8/4/2024-8/17/2024

DISTRICT 1

Conservation Officers (COs) John Kamps and Steve Sajtar stopped two off-road vehicles (ORVs) for careless operation on a trail in Menominee County. Upon contacting the two operators, the COs observed open intoxicants in each ORV. The operators were each issued a verbal warning for careless operation and a citation for possession of open intoxicants in an ORV.

CO Jeremy Sergey received a report that an individual was keeping a fawn as a pet in Marquette County. The reporting source also indicated that the fawn may have been taken from Wisconsin. COs Sergey, John Kamps, and Jackson Kelly investigated and discovered the fawn was kept as a pet for a short time and then it died. The COs discovered the remains of the fawn buried in a septic drain field near the suspect’s residence. The COs, along with a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildlife biologist, exhumed the remains and sent them to a lab to test for chronic wasting disease. CO Sergey discovered the suspect also had two warrants out for his arrest in Marquette County. The individual was arrested and lodged on his outstanding warrants. The wildlife violations are being addressed with the county prosecutor.

COs Jeremy Sergey and Jackson Kelly instructed at a hunter safety class held at the Negaunee Rod and Gun Club. Nearly 30 students were certified in hunter’s safety.

COs John Kamps, Cody Smith, Jackson Kelly, and Detective Josh Boudreaux attended active violence training with numerous other law enforcement and first responders from Marquette County. The training took place at Bothwell Middle School in Marquette County and gave first responders an opportunity to learn the layout of the school and practice tactics that could be used in the case of an active threat.

CO Cody Smith was patrolling when he observed four ORVs riding through a Baraga County residential neighborhood at high speeds. CO Smith followed the group and observed subjects running stop signs as well as drifting around corners and operating across the centerline of the roadway. At one point, an oncoming vehicle had to pull over to get out of the way. The group was followed at speeds over 60 miles per hour. A stop was made when the group pulled over to let the last rider catch up. The careless operation as well as multiple other violations were discussed with all the riders. Each person received a citation for careless operation of an ORV.

DISTRICT 2

COs Robert Freeborn, Mike Evink, and Steve Butzin participated in shifts at the Upper Peninsula State Fair. A lot of contacts were made with adults and children at the DNR Pocket Park. The COs answered several DNR related questions from the public.

While on patrol, COs Robert Freeborn and Steve Butzin observed an oncoming vehicle in their lane passing another vehicle. The oncoming passing vehicle forced the car in front of the COs as well as the COs off the road. The COs were able to make an enforcement stop on the vehicle and issued a citation for careless operation.

CO Scott Pankow was working marine patrol on the St. Mary’s River when he observed an individual in a kayak without a personal floatation device (PFD) on board. CO Pankow contacted the individual and was advised he forgot his life jacket. CO Pankow cited the individual for no PFD.

CO Scott Pankow responded to a disorderly subject on M 48 near Pickford. Central dispatch advised the male subject, who lives on the property in a camper, was intoxicated and forced his way into another residence on the same property and took beer from the refrigerator, then went back to his camper. The subject was arrested by the MSP following a short investigation. 

COs Cole VanOosten, Andrea Dani, and Mike Evink along with retired CO Sgt. Jerry Fitzgibbon conducted a hunter education course at the Munising Baptist Church and School. In total, 33 youth and adults completed and passed the course. A field day was conducted, and participants received a breakfast put on by the church. Participants also received a compass, a hunter orange hat, and a hunter orange vest that had been generously donated by the community. In addition, two students received a youth model shotgun which had also been donated by an individual in the community.

DISTRICT 3

CO Nathan Beelman was checking dispersed campsites on state land when he located a campsite with litter left behind by the previous campers. CO Beelman was able to determine who the responsible person was and pay them a visit at their residence. CO Beelman left the subject with a ticket for camping without a permit and the bag of garbage that was left behind at the campsite.

CO Jack Gorno contacted a subject near a dispersed campsite. After running the subject through the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN), it was discovered he had several no-contact orders with female subjects through the 89th District Court in Cheboygan. While picking up trash at an adjacent campsite, CO Gorno watched a female subject get out and contact the male at the campsite. CO Gorno was able to identify her as a no-contact person and the male subject was taken into custody. CO Gorno lodged the male subject on a bond violation at the Cheboygan County Jail.

CO Kyle Cherry received a state land dumping complaint in Otsego County. The suspect had charged money to pick up garbage and then proceeded to dump it on state land. CO Cherry located the suspect at his residence. A ticket was issued.

CO Kyle Cherry responded, along with multiple agencies, to a report of a stabbing at a local business in Otsego County. Two male individuals with stab wounds were transported to the hospital where one was declared deceased. CO Cherry assisted in securing the scene. The incident is being investigated by the Gaylord City Police Department.

CO Alex Bourgeois attended a hunter safety class at the Alpena Sportsmen’s Club. CO Bourgeois taught the class about hunting laws and about hunting ethics. Afterward CO Bourgeois answered various questions from the students.

COs Sidney LaLonde and Dan Liestenfeltz responded to a complaint in Montmorency County of a jet ski operating through several flocks of geese. While in route, another call came in stating the subject had hit and killed a gosling. The COs were able to track down the whereabouts of the parked jet skis and found the operator who was a juvenile. The COs searched the area for the deceased gosling but did not find it. The parents were ticketed for allowing a minor to operate a personal watercraft without supervision. The juvenile was educated about chasing wildlife with anything motorized.

DISTRICT 4

COs Richard Stowe, Zachary Walters and Logan Turner assisted with a hunter education class at the Benzie Sportsman’s Club with 30 students in attendance.

CO Josiah Killingbeck was on patrol in Lake County when he observed a vehicle drive by his location that he recognized from a suspicious situation several days prior. CO Killingbeck followed the vehicle and observed that the plate was expired. The vehicle suddenly braked hard and skidded into a driveway. Contact was made with the driver who said he was at the residence to do some work. The homeowner was contacted and stated they had no idea who the person was. The driver admitted that he ducked into the driveway because he knew he had a warrant, and the vehicle was not legal. CO Killingbeck determined that the vehicle had no insurance and expired plates. The subject was cited for the violations and the vehicle impounded.

CO Ben Shively participated in the inaugural National Night Out for Oceana County. CO Shively had his patrol truck and side-by-side on display along with the DNR fire staff and Smokey Bear. Over 500 people attended the event which allowed the public to meet with law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical services (EMS).

COs Kevin Bunce and Joshua Wright met with over 60 individuals at the Legends Ranch of Bitely to teach the legal portion of the venue’s hunter education field day.

During a rainy day in Newaygo County, Acting Sgt. Mike Haas witnessed burnout marks and “fishtailing” tracks on a county roadway that turned onto a Huron-Manistee National Forest road.  Sgt. Haas followed the tracks and located a Jeep being operated off the road and through large mud holes. The Jeep lacked registration and insurance and the operator stated that he was taking advantage of all the rain and didn’t think anyone would be out in the woods to catch him. A citation and multiple warnings were issued, and arrangements were made to get the Jeep back to private property.

CO Josh Reed was conducting an ORV patrol when a call came in for a missing elderly Alzheimer’s patient in the Diamond Lake area. CO Reed responded to the Winchester Dam near the area and searched the area on his ORV. Mecosta County K9 began a track from the residence which led into the state game area. CO Reed told the K9 officer he would patrol with the ORV to the opposite side of the game area and begin to search for the man. CO Reed contacted a homeowner on the opposite side of the game area and asked if she had seen the man near her home. The homeowner said that she had not seen the man, but CO Reed began a foot patrol from her house into the game area and located the man on a foot path. The man was turned over to the county units and returned to his family.

CO Josh Reed assisted the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office, United States (US) Marshals Task Force and probation and parole with a search warrant execution in southern Mecosta County. CO Reed assisted the Mecosta County K9 with the north perimeter while the Newaygo County ES team executed the search warrant. After several subjects were taken into custody on multiple warrants, CO Reed assisted in the search of the property which included several outbuildings. Narcotics and stolen property were located during the search.

DISTRICT 5

While patrolling Old US 27 in Clare County, CO Ryan Weakman was passed by a motorist in a no-passing zone. CO Weakman initiated a traffic stop. CO Weakman identified a female driver and discovered her operator’s license was suspended and revoked with at least five prior suspensions and two prior operate while intoxicated (OWI) convictions. CO Weakman issued the female an appearance citation for driving on a suspended license in lieu of jail. Arrangements were made for a licensed driver to operate the vehicle to its destination since several children were in the vehicle.

While patrolling Roscommon County, CO James Garrett discovered a bear bait that had been set up before the legal start date of August 14th in the Red Oak Bear Management Unit. The bait was contained in a metal barrel, which is not allowed on state lands. CO Breanna Garrett noticed the suspect tending the bait while monitoring the area for activity and made contact. Upon contact, the subject confessed to establishing a bear bait. A citation was issued for setting up the bait early.

CO Casey Pullum responded to a call for help while off-duty in Oscoda County to assist in a search and rescue operation for a 15-year-old male who had possibly drowned at a local beach. After a thorough search, the victim was located by a civilian who was experienced in free diving. Despite immediate CPR, the victim tragically did not survive.

COs Jon Warner, Kyle Bader, Josh Jobin, Jesse Grzechowski, and Tyler Sabuda participated in an active shooter training at Whittemore High School with several other law enforcement agencies and first responders.

During the Michigan Mud Jam, COs Jon Warner, Brad Bellville, Jesse Grzechowski, Josh Jobin, Tyler Sabuda, and Casey Pullum patrolled the area. They issued numerous ORV citations including careless operation, operating on sidewalks, improper lights, no helmets, and operating on the highway.

DISTRICT 6

CO Jacob Robinson was on patrol in Montcalm County when he witnessed two subjects on ORVs operating down a county road without helmets. The CO stopped the subjects and educated them why helmets are essential to the safety of the operator. Both subjects were cited for operating ORVs without helmets.

DISTRICT 7

CO Kyle McQueer was conducting a background investigation at his residence when he heard a loud noise and observed a large cloud of dust in his front yard. CO McQueer grabbed his radio and ran outside and observed a semi-truck versus passenger car accident where both vehicles came to rest in CO McQueer’s front yard. Upon further investigation, the semi-truck had the right of way and the passenger car stopped at the stop sign and then continued through the intersection ultimately causing the accident. Fortunately, everyone walked away from the scene.

COs Ryan Jager and Richard Cardenas interviewed a subject in Kalamazoo County about two untagged deer heads outside his home. The subject claimed the deer were not his and from out of state. While interviewing the subject, he admitted he had used his tag on a deer that his brother had harvested. All three deer racks were seized, and charges are being requested through the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office.

CO Carter Woodwyk received information of an illegal campsite in Allegan County in the Allegan State Game Area. The CO located the tent camp site, announced his presence, and discovered two subjects sleeping in a tent. The first subject that exited the tent was immediately identified as a subject the CO has dealt with on multiple occasions in the past. A check of this subject showed two active warrants for his arrest. The subject was taken into custody and lodged at the Allegan County Jail on his warrants.

CO Carter Woodwyk was patrolling in Ottawa County when he pulled into a township boating access site and observed a vehicle parked in the boat/trailer maneuvering area. The CO ran the license plate on this vehicle to make sure it was not a stolen vehicle and found that the registered owner had an active warrant for their arrest. The CO contacted the sole occupant of the vehicle who was positively identified as the registered owner. This subject was taken into custody and lodged at the Holland City Jail on his warrant.

DISTRICT 8

CO Marc Mankowski assisted with the “Safety Trail” course led by DNR Recreational Safety and local volunteers as part of the Michigan Youth Sportsman’s Challenge hosted at Capital Area Sportsmen’s League. The 50 participants who attended the event, ranging from 10 to 18 years old, worked their way through three stations that tested their knowledge in identifying various animals and their appropriate hunting season dates. Participants also had to demonstrate their knowledge of tree stand safety and proper firearm handling. Additionally, participants tested their skills at various stations such as archery, muzzleloading, shotgun, .22cal rifle, and a hunting safety test.

CO James Rowley received an Ingham County dispatch call to check on a white-tailed deer within an area of northeast Ingham County. CO Rowley arrived to find the deer in the side yard of a home. The deer allowed CO Rowley to approach and touch it. The deer appeared sick and unable to coordinate its movements as expected. CO Rowley attempted to contact US Department Agriculture Wildlife Division and left contact information. CO Rowley then reached out to a DNR Wildlife Division technician and relayed his observations of the animal. The Wildlife Division requested the animal be euthanized and transported to them for evaluation. CO Rowley safely euthanized the deer and transported it to the Rose Lake Wildlife Division Office. The DNR Wildlife Division staff delivered the animal to the DNR Laboratory at Michigan State University.

DISTRICT 9

COs Dan Walzak and Ariel Young utilized the county’s Safe Boat to display to the executive members of the division what a day in the life of a CO is like for marine patrol. The COs were able to showcase the capabilities of the vessel and provide a realistic excursion on the Detroit River.

COs Justin Muehlhauser and Cody Bourgeois assisted the MSP and other jurisdictions in the search and rescue of a three-year-old girl in Gaines Township. The child was out walking with her parents on their property when she became separated. The parents were unable to find her. The COs responded with ORVs and helped search the area. After going on three hours, CO Muehlhauser was able to locate the child approximately a half of a mile from her residence in a drainage ditch. The child was unharmed and reunited with her family.

COs Brad Silorey, Jaime Salisbury, and Zack Cardinal worked the annual “Raft Off” boating event. The event draws thousands of boaters to Lake St. Clair and is jointly patrolled by many agencies. While working the event, COs Silorey, Salisbury, and Cardinal responded to a call of a vessel taking on water on the lake approximately a mile from the event. The COs located the sinking vessel and transferred five people aboard of the vessel onto their patrol boat. COs Keven Luther, Dan Walzak, and Les Bleil arrived shortly after to provide additional assistance in getting the occupants to safety. The vessel was recovered by the local tow company.

CO Joseph Deppen was on ORV patrol in Macomb County and observed a subject riding down the roadway standing up with no helmet on. CO Deppen conducted a traffic stop and noticed there were no ORV stickers. The rider was issued a citation for operate ORV without a helmet and given a verbal warning for unregistered ORV. As CO Deppen was explaining the ticket, the subject started to smirk. CO Deppen asked what was so funny? The subject said, “I can’t believe it, I tell my kids all the time to wear a helmet, and here I am, not wearing a helmet, and I am getting a ticket.”

COs Zack Cardinal and Jaime Salisbury were on patrol when they heard a family disturbance with a possible gunshot call on the radio. The COs responded and arrived on scene at the same time as the responding deputies. Three men were outside the home and placed into temporary custody. CO Salisbury entered the home with a deputy and located a woman with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. CO Salisbury and the deputy provided aid to the victim while waiting for EMS. CO Salisbury performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and assisted in placing an automated external defibrillator. The female was transported to the hospital but pronounced dead after arriving. The suspect was taken into custody on scene without further incident. He is facing charges of open murder.

CO Nicholas Ingersoll assisted the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department with looking for an individual who was wanted out of Ohio for multiple felony warrants. The officers were checking a local hotel that he was believed to be staying at. The officers contacted the male in one of the hotel rooms and the male took off leading officers on a foot pursuit. After two failed TASER deployments by officers, CO Ingersoll was able to grab the male and take him to the ground. He was arrested for his outstanding warrants and lodged at the Monroe County Jail on resisting and obstructing charges to be later turned over to Ohio.

CO Nicholas Ingersoll was checking anglers at Ford Marsh when he contacted an individual sitting in his van with the door open. CO Ingersoll noticed fish in a grocery bag on the floor of the vehicle. CO Ingersoll was able to locate two undersized bass in the grocery bag. CO Ingersoll asked for ID, and it was determined the individual only had a Honduras ID and no other form of ID. After speaking with the angler further, it was determined that he also did not possess a fishing license. CO Ingersoll contacted US Border Patrol (USBP) for assistance. USBP agents arrested the individual for violations and CO Ingersoll warned him for his fishing violations and turned him over to the agents on scene.

CO Nicholas Ingersoll was working a grant for USBP when he had a vehicle disregard a red light and nearly collide with CO Ingersoll’s patrol vehicle. CO Ingersoll conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the driver who advised he did not see the red light. After the driver was run through LEIN, it was determined that he had two outstanding felony warrants out of Monroe County and one misdemeanor out of Southgate. The driver was warned for his traffic violation and lodged on his confirmed and valid warrants without incident.

COs Eric Smither and Sgt. Shane Webster assisted the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department, MSP, Columbia Township Police Department, and Napoleon Township Police Department in the search for juveniles who fled from a possible breaking and entering incident. One of the subjects was apprehended by the Columbia Police Department and was determined to be a juvenile. The officers set up a perimeter to locate the other subjects while the juvenile was interviewed. Ultimately, it was determined that the juveniles had exited a neighbors friend’s home and were simply “playing a game” when another subject saw them running from the house and misinterpreted it as them breaking and entering. The kids got scared when police arrived and fled resulting in the misunderstanding.

CO Mike Drexler was on marine patrol on Ford Lake when he contacted two anglers fishing from a boat. During the check, the CO requested to see life jackets which the anglers were not able to provide. They stated they were fixing the vessel up and just wanted to make sure it floated and ran. CO Drexler also noticed the vessel was not registered. A citation was issued for the safety violation and a warning for the unregistered vessel.

BELLE ISLE

CO Wes Butler assisted CO Joshua Salas with a traffic stop after the driver fled on foot on Belle Isle. Once CO Salas caught up to the man, he attempted to avoid being taken into custody by hugging an uninvolved bystander. CO Butler was able to calm the man down enough to release the bystander and the COs were able to place him under arrest. The man was confirmed to also have multiple warrants for his arrest. The man was turned over to the Detroit Police Department to be processed.

CO Dave Schaumburger stopped two individuals on Belle Isle traveling 42 mph in a 25-mph zone. The two individuals were not US citizens and had no papers on them except their Venezuelan passports. The USBP was called to the scene to break the language barrier and they determined that they were awaiting an immigration court date and were ok to proceed on their way.

COs Ariel Young, Les Bleil, Dan Walzak, and Sydney Griffor participated in a kid friendly fishing event held at Belle Isle with Fixin’ to Fish. The COs interacted with the children and adults who came to learn to fish. The COs helped bait hooks and gave advice on how to catch fish. The children were having a blast learning how to cast their poles and trying to catch fish.

CO Brandon Vacek was flagged down by witnesses on Belle Isle regarding a single vehicle crash near the entrance. The driver admitted to being distracted prior to colliding with a concrete barrier. While the driver only received very minor injuries, the vehicle was totaled and was towed away. The driver received citations for operating an unregistered motor vehicle, no insurance, and careless driving.

GREAT LAKES ENFORCEMENT UNIT (GLEU)

Corporals (Cpls.) Craig Milkowski, Todd Sumbera, Justin Vanderlinde, Nick Atkin and Pat Hartsig all took part in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary patrols over the course of a couple of weeks. Dive charters, recreational divers, and a multitude of fishing charters were active during the patrols in the sanctuary.

GLEU officers have been conducting inspections at local pet shops in response to a report of a wholesale pet distributor in Florida receiving and shipping marimo moss balls that may be contaminated with zebra mussels. This is a repeat of a similar incident that happened in 2021, and officers have found very few Michigan retailers offering moss balls as a result of that incident.

Cpl. Pat Hartsig assisted Fisheries Division staff in placing acoustic transceivers in Lake St. Clair.

Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen taught a boater's safety class in Pentwater with Deputy Tim Simon from the Oceana County Sheriff Department.

Cpl. Justin Vanderlinde conducted a bait shop inspection, during which a box of weighted snag hooks was discovered.  After interviewing the owner, it was determined that the owner had recently purchased the business and the weighted snag hooks were part of the old business inventory.  The business owner was warned for the violation.

Cpl. Mike Hammill escorted three divers with the state maritime archaeologist’s office to a local shipwreck to document and inventory artifacts.

Cpl. Mike Hammill was patrolling Little Bay De Noc for sport anglers when he contacted an angler fishing with too many lines.  Upon approach, the fisherman admitted to knowing he was in the wrong and deserved a citation.

Cpl. Mike Hammill and CO Steve Butzin worked a fishing event in the Escanaba Marina.  This event was put on by the local fishing club, and over 40 kids attended the event.  All kids were issued a PFD and fishing pole.  After the event, all the kids had an opportunity to fish from the docks and tour the Pacific patrol vessel.