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Citations and commendations

Grand Blanc City Police officers honored for exemplary performance of duties



Several Grand Blanc City Police Officers received commendations for exemplary performance of duties. Photo by Lania Rocha

Several Grand Blanc City Police Officers received commendations for exemplary performance of duties. Photo by Lania Rocha

GRAND BLANC — In the past year, Grand Blanc City Police officers have saved lives, performed acts of bravery and served as role models for their fellow officers.

In May, some of those officers received recognition for actions in the line of duty that have made a difference to the department and the community, alike.

Officers Marcus Kelly and Rick Bedell and Detective Ryan Rouse received Unit Citations, and Kelly and Bedell received Life Saving Awards, for their actions March 4 when a woman was stabbed at Grand Oak Apartments. The woman was reportedly attacked by her husband while her 7-year-old child was in the home.

When Bedell and Kelly arrived on scene, they quickly initiated first aid, wrapping and applying pressure to the woman’s injuries, which included six stab wounds to the back, one of which punctured a lung, and one to the side of her neck, which severed an artery.

After emergency medical personnel took over patient care, Bedell and Kelly contacted the suspect, who had fled to the Detroit area, and notified Rouse. The suspect later surrendered and Rouse obtained a confession, leading to prosecutors authorizing charges of assault with intent to commit murder, first degree child abuse, and domestic violence.

“Officer Bedell and Officer Kelly along with Detective Rouse provided an outstanding service to the City of Grand Blanc, specifically the victims of this incident,” said Officer Justin Petrowski, Awards Board chairman.

The three officers worked as a team to treat the victim, collect, and preserve evidence, process the crime scene, and take a suspect into custody.

“It was through their diligence and effort that they persevered life and apprehended a suspect,” Petrowski said. “Additionally, Officer Bedell and Officer Kelly responded urgently to a victim that was in need of life saving treatment and aid. Physicians and EMS personnel stated that, had it not been for the quick response and immediate first aid given by Officer Kelly and Officer Bedell, the victim would have surely died from blood loss due to the injury to her jugular artery.”

Officer Sean Shephard received a Certificate of Commendation for his role in apprehending a stabbing and sexual assault suspect.

Around 6:30 p.m. Oct. 31, Shephard assisted in searching for the 15-year-old suspect who had fled from a Bella Vista Drive home. Shephard caught up with the teen and took him into custody near Holly Road and Jewett Trail. Prosecutors later charged the suspect as an adult with kidnapping, home invasion, assault with intent to murder and first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

“Officer Shephard showed diligence and perseverance while performing a difficult and dangerous apprehension,” Petrowski said. “Because of Officer Shephard’s quick apprehension, a violent suspect was taken into custody and was no longer a risk to public safety as it was Halloween night and trick-or-treating was in full swing.”

A Certificate of Commendation was awarded to Kelly for his work in locating and arresting a suspect in a high-speed chase Feb. 5.

The driver fled a routine traffic stop near South Saginaw Street and Holly Road. The pursuit reached speeds near 95 mph as the officer followed the suspect on Holly, Cook and Fenton roads.

Kelly ultimately terminated the pursuit but had obtained a license plate number which later led him to the suspect who had outstanding felony warrants and was on felony probation.

“Officer Kelly went beyond normal expectations and crime was prevented, life and property protected, and a criminal apprehended,” Petrowski said.

Officer of the Year honors were awarded to Sgt. Josh Edwards.

“Sgt. Edwards promotes a positive image through his overall appearance and professional demeanor,” Petrowski said. “Sgt. Edwards always remains professional with his colleagues and citizens. Since his promotion (June 2021), Sgt. Edwards has championed for patrol officers and has been on the forefront of many beneficial changes.

“Sgt. Edwards is always approachable with any and all concerns an officer may have, and eager to help anyone he can. Even beyond his administrative duties and supervisor work, Sgt. Edwards is an exemplary police officer with the highest level of competency and overall job knowledge.”

In the face of negativity, Edwards “remains hopeful, rarely complains, and never gives up trying to improve morale and operations at the GBPD,” Petrowski said.

The Unit Citation was awarded to Detectives/School Resource Officers Ryan Rouse and John Ellis, and Detective Sgt. Bryan Byarski.

Nov. 7, Rouse, Ellis and Byarski investigated a threat to shoot up Grand Blanc High School made via Snapchat.

Ellis, Rouse and Byarski worked with Snapchat, school officials, the FBI, state police and the Genesee County Sheriff Office to identify the suspect.

Byarksi and Rouse interviewed the suspect, a minor student, who confessed and was charged with false threat of terrorism, a 20-year felony.

Ellis, Rouse and Byarski “provided an outstanding service to the City of Grand Blanc, specifically the students and faculty of GBHS,” Petrowski said. “(They) worked together as a team along with various other law enforcement agencies to ensure safety to all students and faculty all while diligently attempting to identify a suspect.”

Byarski also received a Certificate of Recognition for his work in getting the Grand Blanc City Police Department accredited through the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.

As the accreditation manager, Byarski put in countless hours ensuring the department was compliant with all 108 MLEAC standards. The department became accredited June 29, 2022.