The Van Buren Prosecutor’s Office will not file criminal charges against Paw Paw Police Officer Tim McMeekan or Van Buren Sheriff’s Deputy Dan Rowse for shooting a man in February 2021. Brad Hirte broke into a home on County Road 374, stole a kitchen knife and cut his own wrist. Then police arrived, Hirte started running at them with the knife above his head. McMeekan shot at him, and Hirte fell for a moment. Both the officer and deputy commanded him to stay on the ground, but he got up and came at them again, with both firing two shots. Hirte was released from Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo on March 10 after being treated for his injuries. Prosecutor Susan Zuiderveen says the two officers followed procedures and were justified for shooting Hirte.
