OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday that Undersheriff Valerie Weiss is retiring after working 30 years in law enforcement. She began her career with the Ottawa Count Sheriff's Office in 1995 as a patrol deputy.
Weiss spent time in local schools teaching DARE and served several roles over 12 years in community policing. She was promoted to the school resource Sergeant and then Captain until she was appointed to Undersheriff in 2017 by Sheriff Kempker.
Kempker said Weiss was "instrumental in many major changes in programming in the community and within (their) agency. She has always had a passion for community policing and how we can make a difference in the communities we serve with a focus on victims of crime."
Weiss also enjoyed being a part of programs in the correctional facility, providing resources for citizens.
Kempker listed Weiss' accomplishments such as the implementation of an extensive employee's assistance program countywide, but specifically focusing on providing assistance for deputies. He said she was also the head of the project to construct a monument at the sheriff's office to honor the fallen in Ottawa County.
Weiss is looking forward to spending time with family before starting a new career where she hopes to still serve the community.
Kempker had a message for Weiss:
"I want to personally thank Undersheriff Weiss for her strong commitment to her position and hard work ethic in leading the Sheriff's Office in its day-to-day operations, her strong commitment to the staff and to the citizens of Ottawa County. Undersheriff Weiss will be greatly missed, we would like to wish Undersheriff Weiss and her family the best in retirement and thank her for many lasting contributions to the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office."
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