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Faith Keeps This Public Official Grounded
MUSKEGON, MI (May 21, 2008) – Dean Roesler, the newly appointed sheriff of Muskegon County, says his faith helps guide his treatment of people in custody as well as deal with any criticism that inevitably comes his way as a public official.
Those who are arrested deserve to be treated fairly and with the same respect as anyone else, says Roesler, who is a member of Forest Park Covenant Church. His faith also keeps him from becoming jaded, he adds.
 All public officials are criticized at some point, but “you keep things in perspective,” says Roesler. “That’s when faith comes into play.”
Roesler understands the pressures of public life. His father is the mayor of Montague, a small community in the county – he also served as its police chief for 12 years. Three brothers are in law enforcement and another is a paramedic.
Roesler was sworn into office in April to fill the unexpired term of his predecessor, who retired. He will be unopposed for election in November, which is unusual for someone seeking their first term, he says.
The Muskegon Chronicle noted the 43-year-old’s “rapid career rise.” He joined the Muskegon Police Department in 1990 and moved quickly through the ranks, serving as a patrol officer, evidence technician, detective, detective sergeant, patrol lieutenant, and acting captain.
His predecessor, George Jurkas, then picked him to be undersheriff in 2003. Roesler supervised the daily operation of the 134-member department, which serves a population of 58,000 people.
Roesler and his family have been active at Forest Park Covenant since starting to attend there 12 years ago. He has served in various capacities, including chair of the Christian Education Board.
“He’s a great resource,” says his pastor, Russ Carlson. Roesler has given safety training to church members and also given guidance to Carlson when the pastor was ministering to people who had been arrested.
Recently, when Carlson preached a series on how the church can better serve the community, he called on Roesler to share his insights with the congregation.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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