Newaygo police chief appointed Newaygo sheriff

WHITE CLOUD — Newaygo City Police Chief Patrick Hedlund was recently appointed as the new sheriff for Newaygo County, replacing Mike Mercer who retired.

The new sheriff, who fills the remaining two years on the elected term, was appointed by a three-member appointing authority consisting of Newaygo County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Springstead, Probate Judge Graydon Dimkoff and Clerk Laurel Breuker. Hedlund was sworn in as sheriff, Jan. 8, Breuker said.

Hedlund was one of five applicants, including the recently-retired 27th Circuit Court Judge Terrence R. Thomas who served Oceana and Newaygo counties for 36 years. Related story here

Also in the running was Newaygo County Undersheriff Brian Boyd, who retains his position as undersheriff and was sworn in Jan. 8, Breuker said. The other two applicants were Robert Mendham, chief of police for White Cloud and Grant, and Lavern Willett, who is retired from the Michigan State Police and a former Newaygo County commissioner, Breuker said.