Kent County Sheriff's Office

09/11/2026

105 YEARS LATER, WE REMEMBER

Today, we honor Kent County Deputy Sheriff Charles H. Forward, who was killed in the line of duty on September 11, 1921.

Deputy Forward was attempting to arrest a suspect after they had stolen a .45-caliber revolver. During the arrest, Deputy Forward was shot and killed.

His death deeply affected the Caledonia community. Businesses closed for his funeral, hundreds of people filled the local Methodist church, and many more were unable to get inside. Fellow law enforcement officers and members of the community came together to pay their respects before Deputy Forward was laid to rest at Lakeside Cemetery.

Remembering our fallen is about more than preserving history. It is about remembering the people who wore the badge before us, the families who carried on without them, and the sacrifices that helped shape the Sheriff’s Office we serve today.

09/11/2026

25 years ago today, our nation changed forever.

At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

At 9:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower.

At 9:37 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon.

At 9:59 a.m., the South Tower collapsed.

At 10:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew fought back against the hijackers.

At 10:28 a.m., the North Tower collapsed. (911 Memorial)

While we remember the unimaginable tragedy of September 11, 2001, we also remember the extraordinary courage shown that day. First responders ran toward danger, knowing they likely wouldn’t survive. Everyday people helped strangers. In the middle of chaos, Americans stepped forward to protect, rescue, comfort, and serve one another.

Today, where the Twin Towers once stood, their footprints remain as memorial pools. Water disappears into the center, surrounded by the names of those who never came home. It is a place shaped by absence, but filled with remembrance.

Twenty-five years have passed. The names remain. The stories remain. And so does our responsibility to remember.

We will never forget. 🇺🇸

09/09/2026

Come out and support Special Olympics of Michigan with us!

SAVE THE DATE! 🤠🥖

Join us for a Dine-to-Donate Night at Texas Roadhouse in Kentwood benefiting the athletes of Special Olympics Michigan!
📍 Texas Roadhouse – Kentwood
📅 Monday, September 14
⏰ 4:00–8:00 PM

Present this flyer when you dine in or order to-go, and Texas Roadhouse will donate 10% of your total food purchase to Special Olympics Michigan!

Members of the Kent County Sheriff’s Office will also be joining us for the evening! 👮‍♂️🔥 Mark your calendars, grab your family and friends, and come enjoy a great meal for an even greater cause!

09/08/2026

Our Flock Transparency Portal is now live.

We know there are questions about how Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology is used, what information is collected, and what safeguards are in place. Those are fair questions, and we want you to have clear answers.

KCSO currently manages 62 Flock cameras throughout Kent County. They help investigators locate missing and endangered people, recover stolen vehicles, and develop leads in criminal investigations.

Our new public portal allows you to see statistics about our use of the system, including camera numbers, plate reads and searches, along with information about our policies, data retention and oversight.

Transparency doesn’t stop with launching a webpage. We’ll continue reviewing our policies, answering questions and sharing examples of how this technology has helped solve crimes and recover property for victims.

See the data and learn more here:
https://transparency.flocksafety.com/kent-county-mi-so

Read more about our portal launch here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/KENTCOMI/bulletins/42908b2

09/08/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Awareness Month.

In law enforcement, we respond to su***de related calls more often than most people probably realize.

Behind every call is a person with a story. And behind that person are people whose lives are suddenly changed forever.

We meet parents, spouses, children, siblings, and friends on what may be the worst day of their lives. We see the photographs on the walls, the family waiting outside, and people trying to understand how someone they love could be hurting so badly without them knowing. Those moments stay with you.

They are also a reminder that we rarely know everything another person is carrying. Someone can go to work, laugh with friends, take care of their family, say “I’m good” and still be struggling.

So check on your people. Ask the second question. Listen to the answer. Notice when someone doesn’t seem like themselves. Make the phone call. Don’t assume someone else will.

And if you’re struggling, tell somebody. Give someone the opportunity to stand beside you while you work through it.

For those of us who have stood with families after a su***de, one lesson becomes painfully clear: You matter to more people than you may realize.

There is a story behind every person. And your story is worth continuing.

Crisis Lifeline: Call / Text 988

09/07/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Labor Day, Kent County!

Labor Day is a time to recognize the contributions and achievements of American workers and the work they do every day to keep our communities moving.

In observance of the holiday, KCSO administrative offices and public lobbies will be closed today.

Have a safe Labor Day!

09/03/2026

❤️ A Gift That Comes Full Circle

When Matt Christensen passed away, his family was supported by KCSO’s Volunteer Victim Services Unit during an incredibly difficult time.

That support left a lasting impact.

For the past three years, Matt’s family has honored his memory through the Matt Christensen Car Show, donating a portion of the proceeds back to the Victim Services Unit that was there for their family.

This year, Matt’s mother, Judi, sister, Alyssa, and best friend, Jake, presented KCSO with a generous $3,050 donation. They were joined by KCSO Victim Services Advocate Jessica Brinks and members of our team.

Our volunteer victim advocates step into people’s lives during some of their hardest moments. This donation is a meaningful reminder that compassion and support can continue making a difference long after that first interaction.

Thank you to Matt’s family, friends, and everyone who supports the Matt Christensen Car Show for continuing his legacy and supporting other families when they need it most. ❤️

09/02/2026

Tonight’s episode of “Please Don’t Leave That in Your Car” includes…

Your car and house keys
Your work laptop
Your wallet with a bunch of cash
Your firearm(s)
That backpack that definitely looks like it has something valuable inside

Summer is prime time for thefts from vehicles, and unfortunately we continue to find plenty of valuables being stolen, including the cars themselves.

Before you head inside tonight, give your vehicle the 10-second bedtime routine:

Take your stuff.
Lock the doors.
Look around.
Give us a jingle (or text) if you see or hear anything weird. You know the number 📲