PrintLaw Enforcement Division
Sheriff Thomas J. Bensley and Undersheriff Nathan Alger are proud to announce the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office Employees of the Year. The Employee of the Year awards are a celebration and recognition of Sheriff's Office employees who have exhibited outstanding performance throughout the year.
2011 Employee of the Year:
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| Name: Mike Shea |
| Current Assignment: Deputy (Road Patrol Division) |
Officer Bio:
Deputy Shea received five (5) positive performance letters in 2011 showing that he is consistently making a positive impact on the people he deals with while representing the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office. He works very well with the other employees at our office and is highly respected by setting an excellent example for others to follow.
Deputy Shea is willing to work that extra minute even if it’s on his own time and gives 100% each day. He has a solid work ethic and asks questions when appropriate to make sure that the job gets done correctly showing that he genuinely cares.
Deputy Shea is a Field Training Officer, a member of the Sheriff's Office Dive Team, and currently is a Community Police Office in East Bay Township.
2010 Employee of the Year:
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| Name: Dawn Wagoner |
| Current Assignment: Detective (Investigative Services Division) |
Officer Bio:
Detective Wagoner has been an employee with the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office for over 17 years.
Detective Wagoner obtained her Bachelor of Art’s degree from Ferris State University in 1993 and was hired by the Sheriff’s office in January of 1994 as a Road Patrol Deputy. She was assigned to the Investigative Services Division in August of 1996. Throughout her assignment in the Division, Detective Wagoner has been a School/Police Liaison to both TCAPS middle schools, and a full time evidence technician in charge of the in-house crime lab. Since 2005, she has been assigned to investigate child abuse and sexual assault crimes.
Detective Wagoner has received extensive training in investigations as well as receiving the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety’s “award of achievement” for completing the 200 hour series on Criminal Forensic Investigative Techniques in 2002. Detective Wagoner has also attended national trainings dealing with investigations of crimes against children in Dallas, Texas and Huntsville, Alabama. She is current a member of the International Association for Identification.
Detective Wagoner held a pivotal role in the creation of the Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center in Traverse City. She was instrumental in overseeing the research, planning and development of the center. Countless hours of her own time has gone into this project to see a children's advocacy center in our community become a reality.
The development of the Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center has touched many lives in our community and has helped our agency gain respect and trust from the public.