Congratulations to Marquette County sheriff’s Deputy Betsy E. Rochon for a well deserved honor, 2014 Police Officer of the Year.

Rochon received the award from the Marquette County Law Enforcement Administrators Association Wednesday at the University Center at Northern Michigan University. The award presentation happened to fall on Rochon’s 54th birthday, making it truly a special day.

Ishpeming native Rochon graduated with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from NMU, and became a part-time corrections officer in 1983, the same year she graduated from the Northern Michigan Regional Police Academy.

Hired as a full-time corrections officer for the sheriff’s office in 1988, she is the first woman to receive the officer of the year honor. In 1998, she was transferred from the Corrections Division to the Patrol Division where she underwent Drug Abuse Resistance Education training, becoming one of two sheriff’s officers teaching Marquette County youth on the dangers of drugs and alternatives to avoid drug use. Rochon also was trained in the junior high D.A.R.E. curriculum and was an Eddie Eagle gun safety instructor.

The Officer of the Year honor is just one of many Rochon has won through the years. She is a recipient of the Educational Achievement Award; in 2003 was awarded the Exceptional Duty Award for her work in the D.A.R.E. program; and in 2010 received another Exceptional Duty Award for her safe handling of a mentally challenged suicidal individual. She also has been honored with the Sheriff’s Office Service Commendation for outstanding duty.

Rochon was assigned in 2003 to patrol duties and successfully completed the field training officers program. She also is a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Alger/Marquette County and assists the 96th District Court with the Sobriety Court Program.

Perhaps the most heartwarming thing cited is that Rochon has a special ability, according to the MCLEAA, to deal with the mentally challenged, building a rapport with these individuals and helping get them the services they need. Rochon also has worked with the elderly and people needing assistance in day-to-day living by making referrals on their behalf.

Thank you from your community, Betsy Rochon, for being an exemplary police officer and such a strong contributor to the well-being of the public.