OTTAWA COUNTY — Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Kempker has endorsed a longtime member of his department to be his successor.
Kempker endorsed current sergeant and undersheriff-designee Eric DeBoer in what’s currently a three-person race for the next county sheriff. DeBoer, Grand Rapids Police Captain Michael Maycroft and business owner and retired captain Jon Anderson have all filed to run.
Kempker wrote in a press release that DeBoer will maintain the department’s “strong legacy for excellence” if elected.
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“For 25 years, Eric has been a trusted and exemplary law enforcement professional for the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department,” Kempker wrote. “His experience will be an asset towards keeping and attracting the officers the county needs to maintain a safe and secure community.
“I wholeheartedly endorse his candidacy and will be supporting him throughout his campaign.”
DeBoer has been with OCSO since 1999. He entered his current role as road patrol sergeant in 2022. Kempker recently named DeBoer the county’s next undersheriff, a role he will assume in early March after the retirement of Valerie Weiss.