Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) presented the Excellence in Service Award to Sgt. Rich Bankey of the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office for his work in promoting domestic violence victim safety and offender accountability. Also pictured are (from left) John Calabrese, Emmet County Administrator; James R. Linderman, Emmet County Prosecutor; Lindsay Walker, WRCNM Counselor/Advocate; Bankey; Chris Krajewski, WRCNM Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Program Director; Mike Schuitema, Assistant Prosecutor; Kate Morse, Victim Advocate; and Pete Wallin, Emmet County Sheriff.

Sgt. Rich Bankey of the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office earned an Excellence in Service Award for his work responding to and investigating domestic abuse cases. Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) recognizes law enforcement officers with the annual award in the five counties they serve as part of October’s Domestic Abuse Awareness Month.

Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin said the Sheriff’s Office is proud of Sgt. Bankey and the recognition his hard work on domestic violence cases has provided. “Sgt. Rich Bankey has been with the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office since April of 2003. He has risen through the ranks in the law enforcement division being promoted to Corporal in August of 2013, and to his current rank of sergeant in August 2016,” said Wallin. “Sgt. Bankey is an experienced investigator who conducts himself with a high level of professionalism. He conducts thorough investigations and always considers the safety of all those involved in domestic violence incidents.”

Emmet County Prosecuting Attorney, Jim Linderman, also praised Bankey’s work. “Sgt. Bankey has been a hard-working deputy who uses understanding and compassion when dealing with victims that he comes in contact with as a law enforcement officer,” said Linderman. “He is always willing to continue to listen and provide assistance to victims throughout the court proceedings. It makes my job easier knowing that I can depend upon Rich to thoroughly investigate and listen to the position of all parties involved in an investigation.”

Echoing these remarks is Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Michael Schuitema, who said, “Sgt. Bankey is an experienced law enforcement officer who has shown that he will diligently investigate cases of domestic assault and do everything in his power to hold abusers accountable. Although often confronted with highly emotional situations, Sgt. Bankey always treats victims of domestic assault with patience, compassion and understanding.”

Kate Morse is the Crime Victim Advocate/Witness Coordinator with the Prosecutor’s Office who sees Bankey’s daily interactions with survivors of domestic abuse. “Sgt. Bankey is one of a kind. He always goes above and beyond each and every day to help victims. He is always willing to listen to victims of all kinds and do so with care and respect,” Morse said.

WRCNM Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Program Director, Chris Krajewski said Sgt. Bankey not only sets his standards high, but he also meets and exceeds them. “He is approachable and engages professionally with compassion. I am honored to present him with this year’s Emmet Law Enforcement Award of Excellence,” Krajewski said.

WRCNM counselor/advocates select Excellence in Service award recipients from Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego counties that have demonstrated a strong knowledge and understanding of responding to, investigating and supporting survivors of domestic violence. Other honorees for the 2018 Excellence in service award are: Deputy Brian LaGrandeur, Antrim County Sheriff’s Office; Officer Christie Hoenicke, Boyne City Police Department; Deputy Jon Supernault, Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office; and Deputy Joseph Tath, Otsego County Sheriff’s Office.