(Grand Haven, MI) – Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Kempker is hanging up his badge in December. He has been with the sheriff’s office for 35 years, starting in 1989 and becoming sheriff seven years ago. Kempker has been in law enforcement for 44 years and says he will spend more time with his family when he retires. He says it has been a “rewarding career serving the citizens of Ottawa County.”
Below is the statement Kempker sent to media outlets:
I would like to announce that I will not be seeking re-election and intend to retire in 2024 from the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. My law enforcement career has spanned over 44 years, with the last 35 years at the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, starting in 1989. I have had the opportunity throughout my career to serve in many positions at the Sheriff’s Office including the last 7 years as the elected County Sheriff. I look forward to spending more time with family and following other areas of interest here within Ottawa County.
It has been an honor and privilege to be able to work with so many talented and dedicated professionals over the years. They are dedicated to serving our communities to provide safe and secure environments, providing quality and professional law enforcement services while keeping the victims of crime as their focus.
Working with the elected officials at the federal, state, county, and local levels has been an honor, and your support for the Sheriff’s Office has been appreciated over the years.
This has been a rewarding career serving the citizens of Ottawa County. The entire staff of the Sheriff’s Office makes this agency what I and many others consider one of the finest Sheriff’s Offices in the State of Michigan.
I want to thank my Undersheriff Valerie Weiss for her outstanding work ethic, integrity, and professional leadership skills, helping to make this agency and the careers of many staff a success. Thank you to my Command Team that is the best of the best, your hard work, professionalism, and dedicated commitment are of the highest quality levels in the support and service you provide to many.
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