Deputy Mark McCool, (middle) received the Excellence in Service Award for Antrim County. The award, presented by the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM), recognizes McCool’s work in promoting domestic violence victim safety and offender accountability. Also pictured are (from left) Antrim County Sheriff Dan Bean, McCool and WRCNM Counselor/Advocate Jamie Moore.

Deputy Mark McCool with the Antrim County Sheriff’s Office is the recipient of the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) 2014 Excellence in Service Award for Antrim County. The award recognizes five law enforcement officers in each of the counties served by the WRCNM who promote domestic violence victim safety and offender accountability.

In 2013, Deputy McCool was also awarded Outstanding Rookie of the Year by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), a year after he joined the Antrim County Sheriff’s Office. Of his most recent recognition, McCool said, “I am so honored to have been chosen for this award. Erin House, the Assistant Prosecutor for Antrim County, has really been helpful to me by contacting me, asking for certain things and encouraging more follow up with the victims. This has helped us build a stronger case to keep people accountable for their actions.”

Sheriff Bean was supportive of McCool’s recognition, stating, “The Antrim County Sheriff’s Office has been proactive with domestic violence as far back as I can remember. Domestic violence has become a growing issue in our community. Deputy Mark McCool and others within the Sheriff’s Office have really progressed in educating themselves and the public about this issue. The Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan has really been a great ally, helping our team promote positive, healthy relationships within our community.”

Jamie Moore, a WRCNM counselor/advocate said, “The Women’s Resource Center chose Deputy Mark McCool for this award after talking to clients and getting recommendations from agencies that work with the same survivors. He asks pertinent questions at the scene of the crime which allows him to make a fully educated arrest. He follows through on contact with the survivor and has been a great help to the prosecutor’s office by gathering information for them. He has definitely been a positive leader in the community to end Domestic Violence.”

Those receiving awards were selected by WRCNM counselor/advocates who provide support services and advocacy for domestic abuse survivors and also work in cooperation with law enforcement in Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego counties. Other award honorees for 2014 are: Under Sheriff Chuck Vondra, Charlevoix County; Deputy Jeffrey Bur, Cheboygan County; Deputy Phil Copeland, Emmet County; and Sergeant Trevor Winkel, Otsego County.