Seven Finalists Named in Search for New Sheriff

A field of 16 applicants applying to be appointed the next was reduced to seven Wednesday by the three-member Macomb County Sheriff Appointment Committee.

Those selected will have 15-minute interviews Friday with the committee, comprised of Chief Probate Judge Mark Switalski, Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith and Macomb County Clerk/Register of Deeds Carmella Sabaugh.

"(The candidates) have strong law enforcement background in the tri-county region," Smith said.

Following the interviews Friday the committee may select a new sheriff, or they may reconvene on Monday.

The Sheriff's Office is approximately 30 percent of the county's $205 million general fund budget, and has 485 budgeted positions.

The sheriff runs the county jail, and provides road patrol for the townships of
Harrison, Macomb, Lenox and Washington and the City of Mount Clemens. Other services include circuit, district and probate court security, K-9 unit and the marine division. 

The committee was formed following the election of Mark Hackel as Macomb's first County Executive. He was first elected Sheriff in 2000.

"We have been fortunate in Macomb County to have a lot of stability (with the Sheriff's position)," said Switalski.

The candidates who will be interviewed Friday are:

• Robert Dunlap, of Detroit, a retired Detroit Police Department assistant chief.
• Bryan Ede, of Bruce Township, a former Detroit police officer and current insurance agent.
• Kent Lagerquist, of Chesterfield Township, the current undersheriff of the Macomb County Sheriff's Office.
• Timothy Strutz, of Harrison Township, retired Dearborn police chief.
• Melvin Turner, of Chesterfield Township, current second deputy chief with the Detroit Police Department.
• Anthony Wickersham, of Macomb Township, current chief of staff with the Macomb County Sheriff's Office.
• David Willis, Jr., of Center Line, a sergeant in the Macomb County Sheriff's Office.