Like father, like son — Sheriff Mast has the honor of pinning badge on his son.

Like father, like son.

Sheriff Mast has the honor of pinning badge on his son.

ALLENDALE — Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast had the honor of pinning his son, Deputy Mitchell Mast, at the Grand Valley State University Police Academy graduation ceremony last week. 

Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Kempker invited Sheriff Mast to pin the badge on his son, who is a brand-new Ottawa County sheriff’s deputy. Mitchell Mast was hired prior to his graduation. Sheriff Kempker invited Sheriff Mast to have the honor of pinning his son at the ceremony. 

When police academy students have job offers at graduation time, it is customary for the agency sheriff or chief of police to “pin” their first badge on the student they are hiring. Given this special circumstance, Sheriff Kempker asked Sheriff Mast if he would like to be a part of the ceremony. 

Sheriff Mast said he is very proud of his son’s accomplishment and is confident he will be successful in Ottawa County. “Mitchell has grown up in a law enforcement family,” said Sheriff Mast. “He  knows what it’s like to have a dad go to work for 12 hours, and miss different life events. I worked nightshift for my first 14 years, which is most of Mitchell’s childhood; he knows what night shift is about. I’m glad Mitchell will be working for a very progressive sheriff’s office that is doing great things for its citizens and visitors.”  

Deputy Mitchell Mast graduated from Hart High School in 2018 and graduated from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor of science degree in law enforcement. He was one of the squad leaders during the 15-week police academy. Deputy Mast, who enjoys hunting and fishing, looks forward to learning about the Ottawa County community, he said.

Sheriff Mast and his wife Carol have two adult children. Sheriff Mast’s daughter has married into a law enforcement family as well. “My son-in-law will be graduating from West Shore Community College police academy in 2023 and will also be serving somewhere here in Michigan.”

Deputy Mitchell Mast reports for duty Monday, Aug. 15. 

Sheriff Craig Mast has been the elected sheriff in Oceana County since January of 2017. 

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