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Lake County
Reserve Unit
(LCRU)
Baldwin, Michigan
This web page
is hosted by
Sergeant David Lyle Sanders
The LCRU is a group of people
devoted to the safety
and well being of their community with
willingness
to offer themselves and their efforts to preserve
it.
INDEX:
New Web
Page! featuring the LCRU Roster and
Photographs
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Vehicles See LCRU's new MULE - See
LCRU's New Charger Cruiser
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About the Lake County
Reserve
Unit
(LCRU)
Written by Sergeant David Lyle
Sanders 
The Lake County
Reserve Unit (LCRU) was established in 1963. The original purpose of
the Unit was to back up a small Michigan Sheriff's Office due
to a lack of man power.
In the last 44 years, the Unit
has always served the same purpose - to meet the needs of the
Sheriff's Office. Currently the needs have changed since the
Unit was started. We now have less involvement in actual Law
Enforcement and more into the ever-increasing local functions that
would ordinarily rob the Sheriff's Office of valuable
Officers. We still serve as a backup role for our Corrections,
Marine, and Road Officers upon request or just
volunteering. 
This Unit is registered
with the State of Michigan as a Special Deputy Law
Enforcement Agency, and all donations go to equiping Officers
and to other charitable events.
The LCRU is a group of people
devoted to the safety and well being of our community with the
willingness to offer themselves to serve the community.
The Reserve Officer is a
person who is sworn in, after their training, by the Sheriff to
uphold the laws of the State of Michigan and Lake County to the best
of their ability. This person must be able to follow orders
through the rank and file and abide by the bylaws of the Unit
and have the willingness to work with fellow Officers to
better serve the community."
Duties: The duties of
the LCRU Deputy vary upon the needs that are required by the County,
and sometimes those required outside the County. A few
examples of duties: Search and Rescue, Traffic Control, and
fulfilling various backup roles for full-time Deputies. Be
sure to check out the training you will receive below in "How to
Join the LCRU."
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How to Join the
LCRU
WANTED: Deputies for the Lake
County Reserve Unit 
The Lake County
Reserve Unit is a volunteer, uniformed Sheriff's Office support
organization open to all persons age 18 and older on an equal
opportunity basis. The Unit was started in 1963, to back up a
small Sheriff's Office. Currently the Unit works with
certified Officers to perform various assignments meeting the needs
of the Sheriff's Office. At the discretion of the
Sheriff, these assignments include, but are not limited to,
Security at special events, Search and Rescue, Traffic Control,
Ride-alongs with Deputies, and any other duty required by the
Department.
The Lake County Sheriff's
Office takes great pride in the civic spirit and willingness to
serve displayed by its Reserve Deputies. The citizen volunteer
has been the cornerstone of our society since the beginning of this
nation. The Unit will allow citizens the opportunity to
voluntarily participate in Law Enforcement functions; promote good
departmental and citizen relations; allow citizens to assist the
LCSD in the enforcement of laws; and when called upon, provide
emergency response to the Sheriff's Office.
How to
Apply
Stop by the Lake
County Sheriff's Office (231) 745-2712 and pick up an
application. After the application is turned in, you will have
to pass a fingerprint/background check and oral board
interview. The next step will be to complete a 70-hour
training course.
You will not only be
benefiting your community by volunteering your time, but you will
also benefit. The new member will learn Constitutional Law,
Jail Procedure, 911 Radio Procedure, Criminal Law/Police Procedure,
Forensics, Crime Scene Investigation, Rules of Evidence,
Restraints/Searching, Vehicle Codes/Traffic Stops, Defensive
Tactics, PPCT, Cultural Diversity/Ethics, Search and Rescue, First
Aid/CPR, K-9 Orientation and Procedures, and Firearms
Training.
The LCRU Unit also pays for
your membership in the National Reserve Law Officers Association
(NRLO). This membership provides insurance coverage of
$20,000.00 Accidental Death payment, $30,000.00 excess Accident
Medical, and $200.00 a week (up to 13 weeks) for Medical
Disability sustained while performing your duties (NRLO Benefits
page).
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K-9
Lake County
Sheriff's Office, Michigan
(Under
Construction)
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LCRU Roster
and Honorary Members
Honorary Members are
people who are
"past Unit Members" and have retired in "Good
Standing."
Don Britten Jerry Dixon
Norman Herrman Lori Hilts
James
Lawson Ted Nugent Connie
Shoemaker Darryl Shoemaker
Travis
Tate Dan Wessels Daniel Chamberlain
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Click here to go
to New LCRU Roster
Page
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INDEX
Congratulations
to New LCRU Members
Sheriff Hilts Swears in new
Reserve Deputies
The LCRU is
proud to announce the swearing in of nine new Reserve
Deputies. These individuals have successfully completed the
Lake County Reserve Unit's 70-hour training course and as of
03/15/07 have been inducted into the Unit. The new Deputies
are Richard Argue, Jill Byrne, Mathieu DeHaun,
Josh Hill, Drew Lucas, Greg Nichols, Scott Nink, Robert Perrin, and
Joseph Umbreit. 
Lake County
Sheriff Robert Hilts swearing in the new Reserve Deputies on March
15, 2007.
LCRU Sergeants
and Corporals presenting the new Deputies with their
brass.
All of the new
members with Sheriff Hilts after being officially inducted in the
LCRU on March 15, 2007. Congratulations to all.
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Events
EVENTS INDEX:
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Troutarama 2007
405 Man-Hours Donated 
The Lake County Reserve Unit finished its last
major event with the 51st Annual Baldwin Troutarama.
The event ran from July 25, 2007, to July 28, 2007.
Photo left: LCRU Command
Post 
Photo right: A view of the midway from
the Command Post.
The
LCRU directed traffic for the parade on Saturday, escorted money,
and walked the event for the entire duration. The Unit was
there for general assistance in all matters. A missing child
was found, a lost cell phone was returned, and medical assistance
was given for those who needed it. 
Photo left: Corporal Sanders (now Sergeant
Sanders), Deputy Sauntman, Corporal Shirey, Captain Collier, Deputy
Brown (LCSO), Deputy Reich, and Deputy Laura Wowianko.
The
Unit totaled 405 man-hours for the event this year. That is
approximately the amount of hours the Unit had worked in the
past. There was a very good showing at this event with no
serious problems. There were reports of possible serious
thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday nights. The LCRU worked
with the Lake County Emergency Management, and Seth Wenger had
access to the Baldwin Business Center's basement in case of an
emergency where people needed to be off the street because of
weather. Thankfully the weather cooperated and no action
needed to be taken.
Photo right (far right): Deputy Sauntman
and Deputy Wowianko walking the midway.
This
is one of the major events that the LCRU works, and every member of
the Unit put in long hours. Once again, thanks to all who
donated their time to make this event safe and fun for
everyone.
Photo left: Corporal Shirey and Deputy
Nichols at the Miss Lake County Pagent.
Photo right: Captain Collier at the
Troutarama.
Photo left: Deputy Chamberlain trying NOT
to get his picture taken. Gotcha!
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D.A.R.E. Car Show
61
Man-Hours Donated 
The D.A.R.E. Car Show was held on Sunday, July
29, 2007, at the Baldwin Municipal Airport. The Lake County
Reserve Unit had a booth set up where they handed out gun
locks. The LCRU assisted DARE Officer Hurrle with the event in
anyway possible. 
The Car Show had the biggest turnout yet with
119 registered entries and 14 late entires that arrived that
day. The LCRU put 61 man-hours into this event. Thank
you to all who participated.
Photos above and right: Entrys in the
D.A.R.E. Car show. 
Photo left: Bob Weilinga smiling for the
camera. 
Photo right: Captain Collier with a child
who has on a sticker that the LCRU hands out to children at all
events worked. 
Photo left: Lieutenant Wowianko taking a
break.
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"Events" INDEX
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Whispering Winds Blue Grass Festival
On June 8 & 9, 2007, the Lake County
Reserve Unit worked on the Whispering Winds Blue Grass Festival on
Kings Highway, North of US10. This event takes place in a
private camping area set back in the woods. The Blue Grass
Festival is a great family-oriented event with wonderful music and
fantastic food. The LCRU's main function at this event is to
keep an eye on the ticket booth and to be available for any
emergency that should arise. 
Photo Left (L to R): Brian Sauntman,
Lonny Shirey, Josh Hill, and Larry Collier (with is back to
camera).
Photo Right (L to R): Joe Umbreit, Larry
Collier, Brian Sauntman, and Josh Hill.
Photo Above (L to R): Deputy Hill,
Corporal Shirey, Captain Collier, Deputy Sauntman, and Deputy
Umbreit.
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"Events" INDEX
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Idlewild Music Festival
GOVERNOR JENNIFER GRANHOLM PRESENTS GRANT CHECK TO IDLEWILD
ASSOCIATION 
The Idlewild Music Festival is held on July 12,
13, and 14 on historic Williams Island. During this event, the
LCRU guards the ticket booths and patrols the grounds. There
is no alcohol allowed at this event making for a good family
environment. There was good music as well as an excellent
variety of home-cooked foods. This year the festival had a
special appearance made by Governor Jennifer Granholm. The
Governor came to present a grant check to the Idlewild Association
for improvements to the community.
Photo Left: Governor Granholm presenting grant
check to the Idlewild Association for improvements to the
community. 
Photo Right: Some of the locals enjoying
the music and relaxing under the shade.
Photo Left: Governor with her Chief of
Staff. 
Photo Right: Governor talking to Music Fest
Committee. 
Photo Left: Governor Granholm with Music
Fest Committee.
Photo Right: Captain of Reserves talking to
Lake County Commissioner Nicolette McClure.
Photo Left: Good view of the stage and the
lake.
Photo Left: There is also a beach on the
island as well as restroom facilities.
Photo Left: Deputy Wowianko patrolling the
grounds.
Photo Right: Great music throughout the
day and into the night.
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"Events" INDEX
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Luther Days 
On Friday, June 29, through Sunday 1,
2007, the Lake County Reserve Unit patrolled the city of Luther from
open to close to ensure the safety of the event patrons. Among
the duties of the Unit were traffic control during the parade
on Saturday, crowd control for the fireworks on Sunday, and to
patrol a section of the downtown area that was closed off to traffic
for the festivities.
(Left to right): Deputy Mathieu DeHaun,
Deputy Scott Nink, and Corporal David Sanders (now - 2008
- Sergeant Sanders) in front of a LCSO Patrol
Vehicle.
Like
all the other events so far, this year there has been low attendance
compared to previous years at Luther Days. For whatever
reason, the low turn out kept the event quiet in all respects.
There was only one lost child that the Unit assisted in locating
this year, a few lost car keys, and a dead battery. All
and all, the event was enjoyed by everyone including the LCRU who
handed out stickers to children. 
The
biggest day was for the firewords on Sunday. The LCRU worked
in cooperation with the Luther Fire Department, Lake County
Sheriff's Office, and Pyrotechnics to ensure that fire lanes were
kept open and everyone stayed at a safe distance to enjoy the
fireworks.
Picture right (Left to right): Deputy Joe
Umbreit, Captain Larry Collier, Sergeant Randy Bramer, Lieutenant
Mike Wowianko, and Deputy David Reich answering a question for an
event patron.
Deputy Joe Umbreit getting checked out by
Luther Rescue for an adverse reaction to the heat, although he did
seem to get his color back after a few remarks from his fellow
Deputies.
This
event was another event down for the year with no major incident,
and everyone had a good time. Up next is Troutorama on July
25, 2007, through July 29. Check out this web page on the
30th for the update on that event.
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"Events" INDEX
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Irons Flea
Roast and Ox Market
June 21,
2007
On Thursday, June 21, 2007, through Sunday,
June 24, 2007, the IATA held its annual Flea Roast and Ox
Market. There is a story behind this humorous name: When
the first event was held, there was a typo on the sign.
Everyone thought it was so funny that it was decided to keep the
name. 
The
LCRU started the event on Wednesday, June 20, for set up. This
involved opening up an office, putting up banners, and dropping
off equipment. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the LCRU was
there all day and through the night. On Sunday, the Unit
cleared around 3 PM. The duties of the Unit were primarily for
Patrol, although the LCRU Mule was at the event as well as
quads. The LCRU patrolled the midway, drinking
area, vendor sections, and the parking lot.
Photo Left: Meeting with Rob from the
IATA. Positions for traffic control are being
assigned. 
For
the fireworks on Friday night, the LCRU coordinated with the IATA,
Iron's Fire Department, and pyrotechnics people to ensure that the
event would be safe for all in attendance.
Photo Right: Lieutenant Wowianko
conferring with the head of pyrotechnics.
The
Flea Roast and Ox Market was a fun family-oriented event which
everyone enjoyed, with no serious incident. Thanks to all who
made this event safe and enjoyable.
A Note of Interest - Photo Left:
Corporal Sanders getting served a subpoena by Deputy Thiel for an
arrest he officiated earlier in the year. ( Note of January,
2008: Corporal Sanders has since been promoted to
Sergeant)
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35th Annual Para-Dice M.C. Motorcycle
Club
Blessing of the Bikes
(Photographs
provided by the Lake County Sheriff's Office Reserve
Unit) 
On Sunday, May
19th, 2007, the Para-Dice M.C. Motorcycle Club held the 35th Annual
Blessing of the Bikes at the Baldwin Municipal Airport. The
Lake County Star reports a record crowd this year with an estimated
25,000 at the Blessing. It is rumored that only about half of
the bikes that show up in our rural area actually go to the
Blessing.
PHOTOGRAPH
RIGHT: IN FAR BACKGROUND: DEPUTY BUSH AND DEPUTY
CHAMBERLAIN. IN FOREGROUND: LIEUTENANT WOWIANKO AND CHIEF
DEPUTY ROBINSON 
For the LCRU, the Blessing
started on Saturday night with the second annual blocking off of
M-37. The LCSO, with help from the LCRU and the Village of
Baldwin, blocked the main road in downtown Baldwin at 8th Street and
Lake Street. This gave the motorcycles an area of two blocks
to park, and they pretty well filled that.
PHOTOGRAPH
LEFT: DEPUTY ARGUE ON A QUAD MAKING HIS ROUNDS.
PHOTOGRAPH
RIGHT: DEPUTY NINK DIRECTING TRAFFIC INTO THE NORTH GATE IN
THE EARLY MORNING.
PHOTOGRAPH
BELOW: PICTURE OF THE AIRPORT FACING THE ROAD. ALL OF
THIS SPACE AND THEN SOME
WAS USED FOR PARKING BIKES.
PHOTOGRAPH
LEFT: DEPUTY WOWIANKO DIRECTING BIKES INTO THE SOUTH GATE OF
THE AIRPORT.
PHOTOGRAPH
RIGHT: SERGEANT DERMYER PUTTING ON HER SAFETY VEST WITH
CAPTAIN COLLIER IN A COUNTY VEHICLE IN THE BACKGROUND.
The members of the LCRU were
up early on Sunday and met the local VFW for breakfast and then
headed to the airport at 8 A.M. It seemed as if the bikes
started coming in about the time all of the Deputies were in
position, and the motorcycles and cars continued to enter until the
Blessing was over at 1 P.M. Then the traffic was not allowed
to enter the Airport, only exit. Traffic was very heavy this
year with a record number of bikes leaving little time for breaks
(if any at all). The Lake County Star is quoted, "Despite
the large number of vehicles, the Sheriff's Department and the
Sheriff's Reserve kept traffic moving, and there were very few
delays on M-37 except just before and immediately after the 1:00
blessing." There were no accidents during the blessing,
so thank you to all that made this year safe and fun for
everyone.
THIS IS WHAT IT
LOOKS LIKE WHEN 25,000 BIKES ALL LEAVE AT ONCE.
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"Events" INDEX
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2008
"MiDD Dog Sled Races"
Photographs provided by the Lake
County Sheriff's Office Reserve Unit
Click here for 2007
Photos
Over the course of
the year, the Lake County Reserve Unit works several special
events. One weekend a month in January, February, and March,
the LCRU directs traffic for the MiDD (Michigan Dog Drivers Association). Deputies are posted at locations
where the dog trails cross roads so that vehicles are able to stop
in time for the teams, and to get teams that stray off the trail
back on track. 
Photo left: A
team approaching an intersection in the 2008 MiDD dog sled
races.
The LCRU started 2008 off
without a hitch with the MiDD annual dog sled race. The first
race was held on January 26 and 27, with additional races to be
held on February 16 and 17, and March 8 and 9. 
The Reserve Unit participated
in the event by posting themselves at various intersections
throughout the route of the race where the trails crossed
roadways. This was to ensure that there would be no accidents
and to make the race safe for everyone.
Photo
right: Corporal Randy Bramer keeping an eye on the
races. 
Photo left:
Corporal Shirey waiting for another team.
Photo right:
Deputy Hill and Deputy Nink ensuring a safe crossing.
Photo
left: Deputy Spallow enjoying the weather and the
race. 
Other duties performed by the
LCRU are traffic control and to keep track of the sledders at every
checkpoint so that no one was left out in the woods.
Photo right:
Captain Larry Collier and Sergeant Betty Dermyer keeping watch for
incoming dog sleds.
Again this year, the race
was a success with no one being injured or lost.
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2007
"MiDD Dog Sled Races"
In 2007, the
LCRU was presented with a trophy as a "thank you" for all of the
help the Unit provided to make the event safe for
everyone. 
Lieutenant Mike
Wowianko with the trophy presented to the Unit by the MiDD (Michigan Dog Drivers Association) as a
"thank you" for making the event safe for everyone.
Lieutenant
Wowianko (right) going over some things with Corporal Sanders before
the start of the MiDD race. (Note of January, 2008 - Corporal
Sanders has been promoted to Sergeant) 
(Left to right):
Corporal Shirey, Deputy Sauntman, and Deputy Reich getting ready to
go to their assigned positions.
MiDD races are
held one weekend a month in January, February, and March. The LCRU
directs traffic for this event. Right shows a team of dogs
going through an intersection safely.
Relaxing after
the MiDD race has ended are (left to right): Deputy Webber-Decker,
Deputy Reich, Lieutenant Wowianko, Deputy Brian Sauntman, and
Corporal Sanders.
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Vehicles
Lake County Sheriff's
Department's new Charger Cruiser. (Photo taken
July, 2007)
The LCRU has a variety
of vehicles available for their use. Upon the LCRU's request,
they can use just about anything the Sheriff's Office has available
at the time. Examples would be ORVs, and Patrol
vehicles. The Unit has also purchased a Kawasaki MULE and a
Yamaha 450 Quad.
The Quad and the MULE
are both equipped with the County markings and lights. These
vehicles are used to patrol at the special events that the Unit
works.
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Remember, the Lake County Reserve
Unit, MI, web page is under constant construction. Please
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