Three deputies with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department have been honored for their lifesaving efforts in the past year.
Sheriff Chuck Heit and Undersheriff Greg Sanders on Thursday presented awards and commendations to the deputies Thursday.
Deputy Cameron Neubecker received a commendation for his actions on November 7 when he helped rescue a man having a mental health episode in Watervliet. Sanders said the man jumped into the Paw Paw River in cold temperatures and refused to come out.
“Cameron saw an opportunity and him and a Trooper Taylor, jumped into the water and wrestled the individual to the bank of the river where they were helped by other officers and pulled out,” Sanders said.
Next, Deputy Sam Whittaker received a commendation for his quick response to a cyclist who crashed her bicycle and suffered serious injuries in New Buffalo Township on August 23.
Third, Deputy Sabrina LaRatta received a commendation for her actions as a member of the Berrien County Dive Team on May 28 when she searched the Galien River in New Buffalo at night for the body of a man who’d jumped into the water and never resurfaced. Sanders said she couldn’t even see the flashlight she was holding.
“Despite the other deputies hearing the uneasiness in her voice while she was communicating with them via radio, she put the mission first and began to do a perfect grid search pattern and ultimately discovered the individual.”
Sanders said that gave the man’s family some closure.
Also Thursday, the sheriff’s department presented a retirement badge to Reserve Deputy Ken Jewell for his 30 years of service.
Above: Undersheriff Greg Sanders, Deputy Sam Whittaker, Deputy Cameron Neubecker, Sheriff Chuck Heit (Deputy Sabrina LaRatta was unable to attend and not pictured)
Above: Undersheriff Greg Sanders, Ken Jewell, Sheriff Chuck Heit
