A Proud

TRIBUTE to our
LOCAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT

Thursday, September 26, 2019 Township VIEW Law Enforcement Tribute 1

Saginaw Twp. Police strive to keep crime at bay
Today, the Saginaw Township
Police Department has 43 full-
time officers certified by the State
of Michigan, an additional three
certified officers who work part-time
providing contracted services to the
Golfside Patrol, and five civilian
administrative staff members who
provide support to the officers from
behind the scenes. The department
has a fleet of 40 marked and
unmarked vehicles.
The Saginaw Township Police
Department’s history spans nearly 60
years, with Laverne Clark being the
first constable placed into service in
Saginaw Township on Feb 16, 1959.
Two years later, he was joined by
Gordon Towne. Both worked part-
time enforcing ordinances and liquor
laws.
The birth of The Saginaw
Township Police Department
happened on April 25, 1963 when the
township hired its first certified police
officer, John Peplinski.
Constable Clark became the
department’s first full-time officer
and chief of police in 1964, and by
1966, the department had hired six
more officers. These officers were
given badges and uniforms, but had to
2 Township VIEW Law Enforcement Tribute Thursday, September 26, 2019
provide all their own equipment.
In 1967, 11 part-time officers were
hired to supplement the eight full-
time officers.
Located at 4930 Shattuck Road,
the department is currently led by
Saginaw Township Police Chief
Donald Pussehl. John Pelkki serves
as the investigations lieutenant and
Rick Herren serves as road patrol
Lieutenant.
“The STPD strives to maintain an
open and transparent relationship
with the community,” chief Pussehl
said.
He added that an overriding
philosophy for the department
is to prevent criminal activity
from occurring within township
neighborhoods and business districts
and to promote community policing
by providing the best service possible.
The department strives to reduce
those incidents where our citizens
could become a victim of a crime.
“Working together as a team we
develop a relationship with our
citizens and business owners, so that
together we can prevent criminal
activity,” Pussehl said.
The department employs a Forward
to Basics policing plan, simply
meaning when the basics are done as
efficiently as possible, the community
will always be moving forward.
Chief Pussehl said it hosts a variety
of community-centered and crime
prevention events each year, including
National Night Out, Citizens Police
Academy (which started in August),
Coffee with a Cop, Crime Free
Multi-Housing Program, Lock It or
Lose It program and residential and
business security surveys, just to name
a few. 
The department’s 20th annual
Saginaw Township Police
Department’s Citizens Police
Academy started in August. In order
to qualify, applicants must be Saginaw
County residents over the age of
21 and be able to pass a criminal
background investigation.
Classes include learning about the
SAGINAW TWP. on page 7
Thomas Township
Police Dept. continues
Explorers Program
Today, the Thomas Township Police
Department employs a police chief,
sergeant and six officers, as well as an
administrative assistant.
In the early years of Thomas Township,
there were four elected constables charged
with performing various duties in the
name of the law.
Officially, the Thomas Township Police
Department was formed on May 4, 1970.
At that time, the department was made
up of four officers: Police Chief E. David
Eimers, elected constable Edwin Matzke,
and appointed officers William DeVinney
and Robert Frost. All of these men
worked part-time.
The department hired its first full-
time police chief, Larry Sicard, on April
7, 1975. Chief Sicard served Thomas
Township until 1986 and was succeeded
by Chief Joseph Reinig who served until
1990. The position is currently held by
Chief Al Fong.
Today, the department offers Thomas
Township 24-hour police coverage.
All of its officers are certified through
the Michigan Commission on Law
Enforcement Standards.
The department is currently in its first
year of the Thomas Township Police
Explorers Program, intended for those
interested in law enforcement.
The explorers group began this year in
February and currently has six members.
It will conclude its inagural year in late
December this year, with plans to resume
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Thank You,
Officer Schroeder!
Resource Officer
at Peace Lutheran School
3161 Lawndale Road, Saginaw Township
www.PeaceSaginaw.org
a new police explorers group in January,
Susan Brady & Associates
2020.
The program is open to young men
and women ages 14 to 21, who are either
curious about law enforcement or who are The Tri-Cities’ premier Domestic Relations law firm.
interested in law enforcement as a career.
Participants will learn what officers do
on a daily basis and will also experience
hands-on training such as defensive
tactics, building searches, prisoner
Stop Domestic Violence –
searches, accident investigations and
more. call 911 and then call us!
For additional information, contact
Sergeant Al Fong or Sergeant Eric
Cowles at (989) 781-1300.
Along with the fire department
administration, the Thomas Township
Police Department is located in the Public
Safety Administration Office at 8215
Shields Dr., west of the intersection of N.
Miller Road and Shields Drive.
“The Thomas Township Police
Department would like to thank the
citizens of Thomas Township for your
support and we look forward to continue
working with you to make Thomas
Township a great place to live,” said Chief
Fong.
The administrative office for the police
and fire departments is open to the public
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
It can be reached at (989) 781-1300.
In the events in which non-emergency
police assistance is needed, residents are
advised to call Saginaw County Central 4334 State Street • Saginaw, MI 48603 • 989-799-1968
Dispatch (989) 797-4580. susanbradylaw.com
Township VIEW Law Enforcement Tribute 3
Saginaw County Sheriff’s Dept. strives to serve
The Saginaw County Sheriff’s Saginaw County Courthouse and has
Department, 618 Cass St. in Saginaw, transport units that escort inmates
is a full-service organization that throughout the court system and the
includes the Law Enforcement state. Two full-time employees and
Division: road patrol, detective four part time employees serve the
bureau, records bureau; and the public with records, gun checks and
Corrections Division: jail transport, civil process.
plus office, the county jail, and drug The county jail, located at 208 S.
testing for various court services. Harrison, has a housing capacity of
The Road Patrol and Detective 513.
Bureau serve approximately Sheriff William Federspiel
200,000 residents within the is the current head of the
county - an area of roughly department. He has been in
810 square miles. office since 2009 and came
In addition to the full- in with over 25 years of law
time service provided by the enforcement experience.
department, there are about Prior to becoming sheriff,
80 to 100 support officers who he served in Florida for
serve seven support divisions. They 10 years and with the Saginaw
are: aviation, chaplain/victim advocate, Township Police Department for 12
civil process and handicap parking, years.
emergency response, law enforcement The Saginaw County Sheriff’s
medical support, marine patrol/dive Department’s goal, according to
team and posse. These support officers officials, is to serve all Saginaw
dedicate over 17,000 service hours County citizens and to work together
annually to Saginaw County citizens. to make the county the safest place
The sheriff’s office has contracts to live. Its mission statement is
with MBS Airport, juvenile courts, broken down into four major areas:
the Saginaw County Health to preserve and advance democratic
Department, and Spaulding values, improve the quality of professionalism. 5 p.m. For more information, call
Township. community life, improve the quality Administration hours are Monday the department at (989) 790-5456 or
It also provides security for the of work life and demonstrate through Friday from 8 a.m. until visit www.saginawcounty.com/sheriff.

One Hundred Club honors

lives lost in line of duty
The 100 Club of Saginaw County
was created to acknowledge and repay
servicemen and women who have risked
their lives to protect
others.
5818 STATE ST. • SAGINAW MI 48603 It is comprised
of Saginaw area
989-799-0942 residents who
contribute
WHERE PERSONAL SERVICE STILL EXISTS! money each year
for the benefit of
families of police
officers, firefighters
We support our Local Law Enforcement and FBI and A.T.F.
agents who have been killed in the line
of duty throughout Saginaw County.
The 100 Club of Saginaw County,
under the leadership of Michael Colby
and Liz Gohm, also wishes to thank the
55 loyal sponsors for their support in
Green Acres Plaza helping raise over $12,000 recently from
its golf and cook-out event.
M-F 9am-7pm Sat 9am-5pm The annual occasion serves as the
only fundraiser for the club. The event
(989) 790-8600 raises funds to benefit families who may
• Printing services • Mailbox services • Notary services • Packing services lose a loved one in the line of duty, and
• Shipping services • Shredding services • Faxing services also to provide grants to public safety
The UPS Store® locations are independently owned and operated by franchisees of The UPS Store, Inc. in the USA and by its master licensee and its franchisees in
departments for their equipment needs
Canada. Services, pricing and hours of operation may vary by location. Copyright© 2014 The UPS Store, Inc. MS410_2241114 for safety.
4 Township VIEW Law Enforcement Tribute Thursday, September 26, 2019
Originally formed in Detroit, there
are now more than 100 clubs located
throughout the U.S.
The club was founded in 1996 and
meets twice a year, once in
winter and summer.
During the meetings,
members honor
police officers
and firefighters
for heroism or
other acts above and
beyond the call of
duty.
The board consists of David Abbs,
Thomas Basil, Jr., Bill Charlton,
Michael Colby, D.J. DiBlasi, Frederick
Gardner, Liz Gohm, Phillip List,
Patrick McGraw, Richard Mott, Jeff
Opermann, Gene Pickelmann, Randall
Raymond, president John Sivey and
Vern Weber.
The club encourages anyone to join;
future meeting dates are Jan. 22 and
May 20, 2020.
Donations are always welcome.
For more information, visit
www.100clubsaginaw.com.
Saginaw Twp. police celebrate
FALER
BEYER’S SERVICE CENTER
‘Coffee with a Cop Day’ “Your Car Care
Is Our Specialty!”
By Mandilee HecHt
mhecht@mihomepaper.com • Automobile Repair/Services
• Automobile Diagnostic
DRUG STORE
Kevin Wenzel
SAGINAW TWP. - In observance
of National Coffee with a Cop Day • Automobile Electric
on Wednesday, Oct. 2, the Saginaw
Township Police Department is • Brake Service Head Pharmacist
inviting area residents to enjoy a hot
cup of coffee with them at Kroger on
State Street. Payment Center &
The occasion provides an opportunity
for residents to share a free cup of Money Orders
coffee, while interacting with local
authorities in a relaxed atmosphere. Liquor, Beer & Wine
Saginaw Township Police has been
hosting these events with Saginaw
Township residents for several years.
In partnership with Kroger, 4672
1806 Court Street
State St., the meet and greet with police
ASE
at Bay
will be hosted from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
The Coffee with A Cop events
began in California eight years ago in
2011 when officers from a local police
Certified
Mechanics
Performing
989-793-2445
department were looking for ways to Fax:
989-797-5534
more successfully interact with the 4865 Lawndale Rd., Saginaw, MI 48603
citizens they served, according to the officers and ask questions in a non-
Coffee with a Cop website, https:// emergency environment, a recent press
989-792-1401 or 989-792-8071
coffeewithacop.com. release from the department stated. www.beyersservicecenter.com
The happenings are now held every “Saginaw Township Police
year in all 50 states, and it is considered Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm
Department has been involved with
one of the most successful community- the National Coffee with a Cop Day
oriented policing programs across the event since its inception years ago. This

country.
“The program has also expanded to
outside the Unites States to Canada,
Europe, Australia, Africa, and Latin
THANK YOU
event is a great way for our officers and
citizens to get to know each other.”
Chief Donald Pussehl said.
He added that the theme of the event

to the Police
America. The key to Coffee with a is to join neighbors and police officers
Cop’s growing success is that it opens for coffee and conversation with no
the door for interactions outside of the agenda.

& their Families.

crisis situations that typically bring law
enforcement officers and community
members together,” the site continued.
Saginaw Township Police are
encouraging community members to
attend the laid-back occasion, in order
to get to know local law enforcement
Saginaw Township police officers said
they look forward to residents joining
them at this event.
For more information, call the
department’s crime prevention unit at
(989) 791-7210.

Dr. Joseph Douglas & Dr. Karen Douglas

5025 Shattuck Rd., Saginaw
989-752-7121
www.douglasfamilyvision.com
Thursday, September 26, 2019 Township VIEW Law Enforcement Tribute 5

Valley
BS
O Premier
Fence co.
C
JA
3251 Kuehn Ave. • Saginaw, MI 48601
Phone: 989-799-1143 • Fax: 989-799-1501
www.jacobsfence.com
THANK YOU to our Local Law Enforcement!
A HUGE THANKS TO OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
Saginaw • 989-781-1430 Hemlock • 989-642-2500
www.firstareacu.com
Thank You for keeping our community safe!
RIVERSIDE
Animal Clinic, p.c.
1855 Midland Rd. • Saginaw, MI 48638
989-799-6490 • Fax 989-799-2668 • riversideanimalclinicmi.com
William L. Cline, D.V.M. • Sandra M. Cline, D.V.M. • Heather Brenner, D.V.M. • Dr Beth Coe
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9-12, 2-5 • Saturday 9-12 • Please call for appointment
Saginaw Township Community Schools
would like to give a big
to our local police! We all
truly appreciate our police
partnerships, and salute the
courageous work you do, day
in and day out, to make our
schools and community safe
places to live!
6 Township VIEW Law Enforcement Tribute
Police stress importance
of being prepared during
Steve
Jacobs Preparedness Month
Michigan residents should prepare for
emergencies and disasters by making an
emergency plan with their loved ones,
building an emergency preparedness
kit and learning life-saving skills like
first aid and CPR during Michigan’s
Preparedness Month, according to the
Michigan State Police, Emergency
Management and Homeland Security
Division (MSP/EMHSD).
Throughout September, the MSP/
EMHSD has joined federal, state and
local governments, as well as private
and public organizations, in supporting
emergency preparedness initiatives and
encouraging residents to take action to
prepare.
Agencies nationwide are uniting under
the theme “Prepared, Not Scared” to
encourage everyone to create a family
emergency plan and to learn skills
needed to help themselves and others
until help can arrive.
“During an emergency, critical
services such as electricity and water
service could be impacted and response
for police, fire and emergency medical
services could be delayed,” said Capt.
Emmitt McGowan, deputy state
director of Emergency Management
and Homeland Security and commander
of the MSP/EMHSD.
“That’s why we encourage households
to build an emergency preparedness kit
with food, water and a first-aid kit that
allows them to be self-sustaining for at
least 72 hours,” McGowan said.
To learn more about preparing for
emergencies and disasters and making
an emergency preparedness plan, or
for more information about the 2019
Prepare Fair visit www.michigan.gov/
miready or follow the MSP/EMHSD on
Twitter at @MichEMHS.
Michigan State Police serves vital roles
The Michigan State Police, MSP,
serves a vital role in crime prevention
and traffic safety as well as supporting
local law enforcement partners with
added resources like aviation, canine
and crash reconstruction. MSP also aids
with investigative tools to help keep
communities and citizens safe.
The Tri-City Post No. 31 is located
at 2402 Salzburg Road in Freeland.
The post serves the citizens of Bay,
Midland and Saginaw counties.
The Tri-City Post can be reached by
calling (989) 495-5555.
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Police offer free active
shooter training
The Michigan State Police, Tri-City
Post, has announced it is now offering
free active shooter training and building
safety assessments to organizations
within the Tri-City area.
Instructor and Trooper Mark
Burch has 21 years of experience with
the Michigan State Police and has
attended a variety of trainings related
to critical incidents such as: New
Mexico Tech-Incident Response to
Terrorist Bombings, New Mexico
Tech-Understanding and Planning for
School Bomb Incidents, Active Shooter,
Department of Homeland Security-
Protected Critical Infrastructure
Information Program.
In addition to these trainings, Burch
is a certified instructor for; C.R.A.S.E.
(Citizen Response to Active Shooter
Events), Stop the Bleed, and T.E.A.M.
SAGINAW TWP. from page 2
operation of the various units within
the police department; equipment
utilized by emergency services teams;
our medical first unit and crime scene
investigations; as well as learning
about criminal law and investigation
techniques; and hands-on training
with weapons and defensive tactics.
Attendees will tour the Saginaw
County Jail, Saginaw County Central
Dispatch and go on a ride-along with
a Saginaw Township Police Officer.
The Crime Prevention Program
consists of a sergeant, three crime
prevention officers, a school resource
officer, and four surveillance officers.
Officers work closely with schools,
businesses, apartment complexes
and rental home owners in the area.
They teach at every grade from
kindergarten through middle school,
providing safety lectures on a variety
of topics, organizing community
events and working alongside
township code enforcement officers to
identify, educate, address and enforce
quality of life issues.
The school resource officer provides
education on legal issues, investigates
juvenile crimes and on a daily basis
builds a positive relationship between
the police department and future
adult citizens.
Area residents are welcome to stop
by or call the police department for
more information at (989) 793-2310.
Pertinent information is also shared
through its Facebook page and by
visiting www.saginawtownship.org and
clicking “Departments” and “Police
Department.”
Thursday, September 26, 2019
(Teaching, Educating, and Mentoring).
Over the past four years he has
presented to several thousand people in
groups such as; schools, colleges, banks,
churches, corporate businesses, and
retail businesses.
These trainings, the focus of which is
to help keep people safe, can be specific
any organization/group following a
building assessment.
Representatives from the Michigan
State Police, MSP, said it is committed
to providing public safety, and
recognizes that being prepared can help
save lives.
Any organizations interested in
learning more about these trainings
or other trainings offered, may email
Trooper Burch at burchm@michigan.gov.
The Saginaw Township Police
Department looks forward to working
closely with its citizens and business
owners to keep the community safe,
and gives thanks for their ongoing
support.
Helping each
member realize
their financial
goals and dreams
A full-service
wellness practice
as well as a diagnostic
& surgery center
Dwight L. McNally, DVM • Ryan L. McNally, DVM • Sheryl A. Gilbert, DVM • Sheri A. Mayer, DVM • Bailey L. Mielke, DVM
8455 Gratiot Rd., Saginaw, MI 48609 • 989-781-3600 • www.gratiotanimal.com
We Support our Local Law Enforcement
Call Wescourt
989.797.3600 Independent
Retirement Living
for a tour of
THE GOOD LIFE. 4141 McCarty Rd. • Saginaw
Saginaw • Bay City Hurry as there are only a few
apartments available.
STUDIOS • 1 AND 2 BEDROOMS
COTTAGES • UTILITIES INCLUDED
www.copoco.org Join us for a complimentary
www.wescourtretirement.com
800.292.2897 homemade lunch while you’re here.
Township VIEW Law Enforcement Tribute 7
 Please Don’t Drink & Drive
5645 State St. • 793-9427
www.printshopsaginaw.com
8 Township VIEW Law Enforcement Tribute Thursday, September 26, 2019