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PAGE 6 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN December 16, 2021

NORTHVILLE
NORTHVILLE

Township awards first responders’ performance

Northville Township 2020 Firefighter of the Year Christopher Wiggins, left, is congratulat- Northville Township Police Officer of the Year James Beamish, left, receives congratula-
ed by Fire Chief Matthew Samhat. tions from Chief Paul Tennies.
Wiggins is Firefighter of Year Beamish named Officer of Year

Northville Township Fire Department statement. Police Ofc. James Beamish has been as a detective bureau where he became the
officials have named Christopher Wiggins Wiggins is credited for his tireless named as the Northville Township Police first certified computer forensic investiga-
as Firefighter of the Year for 2020. The work in writing and winning grants on Department 2020 Officer of the Year. tor in the Northville Township Police
2020 awards were postponed because of behalf of the department, “saving the tax- The award was presented to Beamish Department. Tennies noted that Beamish
COVID-19. payers of Northville Township hundreds earlier this month by Police Chief Paul also left his mark on the department as a
Wiggins, a firefighter/paramedic, was of thousands of dollars while improving Tennies in front of a large audience of first field training officer, where Beamish
described as “the epitome of integrity, the operations of our department.” responders. trained new officers to ensure that the best
trust and respect. His ‘whatever it takes’ Wiggins represents the Northville Tennies noted that Beamish has practices standards and competencies
attitude is contagious to all who work Township Fire Department as a member excelled in multiple positions throughout were met. “As an evidence technician, he
with him. He is always quick to jump in of the Western Wayne County Urban his career, beginning first as a dispatcher 32 uses the latest techniques to collect and
and lead in training or on a call,” said Search and Rescue Team where he has years ago. After seven years in that role, he preserve evidence at crime scenes,”
department officials. dedicated countless hours to training to attended the Schoolcraft College Police Tennies noted.
“He found creative ways during the achieve Technician level and became an Academy, fulfilling his dream to become a “Throughout his career, Officer Beamish
pandemic for the firefighters on his shift assistant team leader during his first year, sworn police officer, following his father's executed these and many more responsibil-
to bond. With 16 years in the fire service, the statement continued. footsteps. ities with pride and humility while uphold-
he has developed a great ability to Wiggins joined the Northville During his career with the department, ing the Constitutional rights of all citizens,”
demonstrate kindness and empathy to all Township Fire Department in July 2017 Beamish has been a member of the acci- Tennies said. “His institutional knowledge
of his patients while on emergency inci- after serving with the Superior Township dent investigation team, served as the serves as a history lesson of where we were
dents,” officials added in a prepared and Van Buren Fire departments. agency traffic enforcement officer, worked as an agency and how far we have come.”

Chief do the absolute best job I can and I look

forward to working with everybody.”
Northville Township Police
FROM PAGE 1
Department has 34 sworn officers. The
agency operates a Public Safety Answering
“We welcome Chief Hilden and look for- Point, which receives emergency and non-
ward to his skills in helping us serve the emergency calls for Northville Township
needs of our community,” said Northville and the City of Northville. The center is
Township Supervisor Mark J. Abbo. operated by 10 civilian Public Safety
“From what I have seen, this organiza- Officers.
tion seems to be exceptional,” Hilden said “The residents of Northville Township
at his swearing-in ceremony. “I'm very are in good hands with Chief Hilden on
happy to be part of the team. I'm going to board,” Mutchler added.