Today 29-year-old Deandre Williams of Detroit was sentenced to 50-75 years in prison for the murder of 50-year-old Wayne County Sheriff’s Corporal Bryant Searcy. Cpl. Searcy was brutally murdered doing the job he loved. The callous and calculated killing of this 18-year veteran was nothing short of monstrous. A wife lost her devoted partner and a daughter lost her loving father. Cpl. Searcy’s friends, colleagues and this community lost a loyal servant and kind spirit in him. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office continues to hold Cpl. Searcy’s grieving family in our thoughts and in our prayers.
Sheriff Washington was honored to be the keynote speaker and join other community leaders at the city of Westland’s annual celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy on Monday. “We’ve made giant steps forward, but there is so much to be done,” said Washington. “Let’s all continue his work!”
Sheriff Washington was honored to be invited by Pastor Marcus Lovelace of the historic Mt. Zion Baptist Church to be the keynote speaker and represent law enforcement officers. “Thank you to the men & women of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office & those who protect & serve across the country. We appreciate your daily sacrifices,” said Sheriff Washington. “We also honor those officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. You will never be forgotten.”
“Always proud to partner with Detroit Police and our other local, state and federal agencies,” said Sheriff Washington. “We’re working strong and we’re working together to reduce crime in the city of Detroit. As I always say, we’re much #StrongerTogether and we’re going to continue to be here for you!!”
Wayne County Sheriff Reserve Operations Assistant Chief Jim Edwards Sr. died in his sleep on September 16, 2021. Edwards served the department and the community for more than 21-years, was among the first members of the Reserve Division and was recently promoted to Assistant Chief, a new position for the operation. In addition to his role as Asst. Chief, Edwards was also a 25th District Court officer in Lincoln Park and a City of Riverview retiree. The law enforcement veteran touched many lives in a very positive and meaningful way–personally and through his involvement with the agency. Edwards is survived by his wife, three children and six grandchildren.
An investigation is underway into the fatal shooting of Officer Devante Jones, 23. The officer was gunned down in an east Detroit neighborhood in the early morning hours of September 20, 2021. Jones graduated from Jailers Training in 2019 and was assigned to Division 1. He leaves behind one child and a newborn due next month.
“We offer our condolences and prayers to the family who have lost their loved one in the most tragic way,” said Sheriff Raphael Washington. “This resonates with all of us on the job. We’re going to do all we can find out what happened.”
Downstate search and recovery team trains in Alpena waters
Article From The Alpena News - JULIE RIDDLE
ALPENA — A team of downstate divers took advantage of Alpena’s shipwreck-rich waters last week to practice saving lives.
A search and recovery dive team from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office chose Alpena as the site of its annual deepwater training. The team explored shipwrecks in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and conducted drills near Rockport State Recreation Area, making use of the Sunrise Side’s deep water and underwater resources to hone its skills.
More than 500 men and women of the WCSO were recently treated during all three shifts to tasty lunches and accolades to show an abundance of appreciation for the essential personnel. The delicious lunches, provided by Sysco and the Wayne County Jail Outreach Ministry (WCJOM), were packed with delectable goodies and the guests of honor—officers, clerical staff and executives—could not have been more appreciative!
In 2016, the MACP Board of Directors established the Thomas A. Hendrickson Legislative Advocate-of-the-Year Award. This is awarded to an individual that works exceptionally hard on behalf of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police in the legislative process and whose efforts are substantially above and beyond those which would be expected by a typical MACP member.
In February of 2021, the MACP Board of Directors unanimously voted to name Daniel Pfannes the 2020 Thomas A. Hendrickson Legislative Advocate of the Year.
292 PEOPLE WERE KILLED, AND 31,233 INJURED, SINCE HANDS-FREE LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED IN MICHIGAN DURING 2016
TIA, VICTIMS, AND OFFICIALS SAY IT'S TIME TO ACT - PASS SENATE BILL 409
TROY, Michigan — Jim Santilli, CEO of the Transportation Improvement Association (TIA), and two victims are encouraging the Michigan Legislature to make distracted driving a top priority and take action on Senate Bill 409. SB 409, which was introduced today by State Senator Ruth Johnson (R-Holly), would make Michigan a hands-free state. There are currently 26 hands-free states in the nation.
