Letter to the Editor: Sheriff Hedlund My Choice

​To the Editor:

I have known Sheriff Hedlund for more than ten years, for the past seven years I have had the privilege of serving as a Reserve Officer.

​Sheriff Hedlund was instrumental in starting and creating the reserve program for the City of Newaygo.  Finding the funding and manpower for the reserve program rested solely with Patrick Hedlund.  He has created a reserve program that not only is exemplary for the City  but other communities in our county.  Many communities have followed the City's example to start their own reserve program.  The reserve program continues to get the training that is needed and...

 the support from the community.  The reserves work closely with the officers to provide additional support.


While doing so, I have had a chance to work with Sheriff Hedlund personally.  Sheriff Hedlund will put no officer out on the field unless that officer is fully trained in  policies and procedures.  I have kept in contact with many officers who have moved on to other communities and they have referred back to the training they had received from Sheriff Hedlund and his officers.  This training has helped them to perform their duties for their new positions.  I attribute all the positive comments because of Sheriff Hedlund, he sets the standards high and demands that same standard from his officers.

As a reserve officer I have gladly given my time being involved with the River Patrol.  Sheriff Hedlund was the driving force in starting the River Patrol for our County.  The River Patrol program has vastly decreased the amount of  unlawful incidents on the Muskegon River.  Paddling down the Muskegon River can once again be a family experience with not the worries of being exposed to unpleasant behavior.

Patrick Hedlund will be instrumental in bringing innovation and technology to Newaygo County.  He will continue to provide his deputies with the most updated resources for them to perform their duties.

Sincerely,     Mark Fellows
White Cloud, MI