Antrim County Sheriff Dan Bean received the Excellence in Service Award presented by the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) to recognize his work in promoting domestic violence victim safety and offender accountability. Also pictured are representatives from the Antrim County Prosecutor’s Office (from left) Kristina Droste, Assistant Prosecutor; Kerrie Ann Shannon, Victim Coordinator; Bean; James Rossiter, Prosecutor; and Jamie Weaver, WRCNM Counselor/Advocate.

Antrim County Sheriff Dan Bean received the 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 award in the five counties they serve as part of October’s Domestic Abuse Awareness Month.

Bean’s extensive work in law enforcement and as a volunteer firefighter and ambulance EMT all helped deepen his compassion and heighten his ability to listen, problem-solve and respond to a variety of situations.

Antrim County Assistant Prosecutor Kristina Droste said Sheriff Bean shows a genuine interest in and concern for the daily work of his deputies. “He recognizes that their initial involvement, usually responding to a 9-1-1 call of domestic assault, is only part of the big picture in combatting domestic violence,” said Droste. “He has tailored his agency’s policies and approach accordingly, especially ensuring that the officers inform victims about helpful community resources like the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan. Under Sheriff Bean, the entire Antrim County Sheriff’s Department shows dedication to keeping victims safe and working with our office to hold perpetrators accountable.”

Jamie Weaver, a WRCNM counselor/advocate who works with survivors of domestic abuse said Bean’s efforts have been an asset to Antrim County’s coordinated community response to domestic violence. “He has been extremely supportive and involved in our goals of keeping families safe and offenders accountable. I can’t imagine a more deserving person to receive this award. Sheriff Bean shows what a leader who cares about community members looks like. He is a leader inside and outside of the office by being involved in many community programs and organizations. Antrim County is lucky to have him.”

Those receiving awards were selected by WRCNM counselor/advocates who provide support services and advocacy for domestic abuse survivors and work in conjunction with law enforcement in Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego counties. Other honorees for 2017 are: Terrence McDonnell, East Jordan Police Chief; Deputy Darren LaChapelle, Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office; Lt. Todd Troxel, City of Petoskey Department of Public Safety; and Deputy James Fox, Otsego County Sheriff’s Office.