Sheriff’s Office Honors Their Own

3/27/2023

L-R Undersheriff Chad Palmiter, Gordy Alger, Dan Evans, Justin Visser, Christopher Freriks, and Sheriff Bob Mendham

Several members of the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office were honored at the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Wednesday March 22nd for their outstanding performance on the job.

Deputy Rachael Botello was named Road Deputy of the Year while Sergeant Gabe Sanchez received the Corrections Deputy of the Year award.
Sergeant Brian VanSingel was given the Meritorious Service Award for providing emergency help to an inmate and Sergeant Sanchez (20 years) and Sergeant Michael Britton (10 years) were given certificates for their years of service.

The most moving presentation of the day came when Sheriff Bob Mendham and Undersheriff Chad Palmiter brought forward the three officers involved in saving the life of a county employee. Sgt. Christopher Freriks, Officer Justin Visser, and White Cloud Police Chief Dan Evans were dispatched to the Commission of Aging for an unresponsive male. All arrived on scene and advised that the individual was not breathing and they could not find a pulse. Using the AED and providing CPR for over 30 minutes, all were able to provide the appropriate medical attention needed. The result of their efforts joined them during the presentation as Gordy Alger personally thanked the trio for saving his life stating that if not for them he would not be around.

It was a moving moment and the jammed meeting room stood in applause for the three officers. Through their training and quick thinking, they truly saved a life.

From a separate incident Undersheriff Palmiter also received a life saving award for responding to a call and providing CPR to an unresponsive person keeping them alive until an ambulance was dispatched.