Coldwater Public Safety Police & Fire

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Coldwater Public Safety Police & Fire

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The official FB page of Coldwater's Police and Fire Departments.

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10/15/2026

9th Grade MICareer Quest Branch County

Many thanks to Branch ISD for the opportunity to participate in the 9th grade career fair at Heritage Park this morning. School Resource Officer Antesar Azookari and Fire Marshal Jackie Supianoski had an opportunity to interact with local students and help them explore a career in the police and fire professions. SRO Azookari and FM Supianoski were able to answer questions from the students and talk to them about their roles and experiences with the police and fire departments.

We would also like to thank Antesar and Jackie for sharing their time and experience with the young people in our community.

10/08/2026

🚒 Join the Coldwater Fire Department and serve your community!

The City of Coldwater Fire Department is hiring for a full-time Firefighter position. Applications are due November 19, 2026.

To learn more and download the applicant packet, visit: https://ow.ly/X4b050XpvUh.

09/28/2026

Media Release

Date: September 28, 2026

Contact: Patrick A. Beeman, Director of Public Safety
(517) 278-4525

Re: Aggravated Assault – Burger King (26-6828)

Coldwater, MI – A Coldwater man was arrested September 27, 2026, following an assault between co-workers at a local fast-food restaurant.

Police were dispatched to a fight at the Burger King restaurant on the city’s east side at around 9 p.m. Sunday. After conducting an investigation, police arrested 22-year-old Austin Lawhead for aggravated assault.

The victim, a 46-year-old Coldwater resident, was found bleeding from multiple head injuries. He was transported to Insight Hospital and Medical Center Coldwater for treatment.

According to statements, Lawhead, a Burger King employee, returned from break and got into an argument with a fellow employee at the restaurant’s front counter.

Witnesses reported to police that Lawhead jumped over the front counter of the restaurant and struck the victim in the head with a phone, and then bit the victim’s face.

The incident was captured on cell phone video by a customer who witnessed the incident.

The Branch County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Lawhead with Assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. He will be arraigned on Monday afternoon, September 28, 2026.

08/17/2026

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Beeman as the City of Coldwater’s new Director of Public Safety.

With more than 30 years of dedicated service to the Coldwater Police Department, Director Beeman will continue to provide positive and professional leadership for the City’s public safety departments.

To learn more, visit: https://www.coldwater.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/762.

08/15/2026

Press Release

Date: August 15, 2026

Point of Contact: Patrick Beeman, Deputy Chief of Police, (517) 278-4525

RE: Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash (26-5664)

Coldwater, MI – A 25-year-old man was struck and killed in a car – pedestrian crash last night in Coldwater.

Coldwater Police were dispatched to S. Clay Street near Darling Drive on the city’s south side at 11:30 p.m., Friday, August 14, 2026. Their investigation determined that the pedestrian was in the northbound lane of S. Clay Street when he was struck by a passing motorist.

Police report that the car, a 2022 Kia Sorento, was being driven by a 41-year-old Coldwater woman, who was travelling northbound on S. Clay Street at the time of the crash. Police are working to confirm the identity of the pedestrian before releasing further details.

The pedestrian was transported to Insight Hospital and Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at about 12:29 a.m., on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

Coldwater Police requested the assistance of a traffic crash reconstructionist from the Michigan State Police, and the case is currently under investigation.

The Coldwater Police Department was assisted at the scene by the Michigan State Police, the Branch County Sheriff's Office, LifeCare Ambulance, the Coldwater Fire Department, and the Coldwater Department of Municipal Services.

Police request anyone who saw the pedestrian or witnessed the crash, to please contact Officer Kaden Hisel or D/Sgt. Sarah Gunnenman at (517) 278-4525.

08/04/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2026

In Honor and Memory of Director of Public Safety Joseph Scheid

COLDWATER, Mich. – On the evening of August 3, 2026, the Coldwater community lost a dedicated leader, public servant, and friend with the unexpected passing of Director of Public Safety Joseph Scheid. His loss has left a profound impact on the City of Coldwater, the Department of Public Safety, and the many people whose lives he touched throughout his career.

Director Scheid devoted nearly three decades of his life to serving the City of Coldwater. After graduating from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement Emphasis, and completing the university’s Police Academy, he joined the Coldwater Police Department on December 8, 1996, as a Patrol Officer. Throughout his career, he steadily rose through the ranks, serving as Corporal, Sergeant, Deputy Director of Public Safety, Acting Director of Public Safety, and ultimately Director of Public Safety, a position he held beginning September 23, 2019. In preparation for leading Coldwater’s combined Police and Fire Department, Joe completed Fire Service Certification I and II, further demonstrating his commitment to serving the entire community.

Throughout his career, Joe took great pride in his work as a K-9 officer and K-9 Team Leader, as well as his involvement in specialized law enforcement efforts, including the CODE Team and drug enforcement initiatives. He became a strong advocate for addressing substance abuse in the community. Under his leadership, the Coldwater Department of Public Safety achieved accreditation through the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, administered by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police. He was also instrumental in strengthening relationships between law enforcement and young people through the establishment of School Resource Officer positions.

Beyond the badge, Joe believed that investing in the next generation was one of the greatest responsibilities of public service. Whether through his involvement in youth sports, personally congratulating Coldwater High School graduates with handwritten cards, or establishing the Coldwater Police and Fire Scholarship Fund to support future public safety professionals, he consistently demonstrated a genuine commitment to the community.

The City of Coldwater extends its deepest gratitude to the members of the Coldwater Police Department and Coldwater Fire Department, LifeCare Ambulance Service, the Branch County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Branch County Central Dispatch, city leadership, and the many community members who have offered their support and compassion during this difficult time.

Details regarding memorial services and additional opportunities to honor Director Scheid will be shared as arrangements are finalized. The community is asked to keep his family, friends, and all members of the Coldwater Department of Public Safety in their thoughts during this time.

# # #

https://www.coldwater.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/761.

07/16/2026

We are sending out a big THANK YOU to VIP Autobody & Towing. They donated Guardian Angel personal strobe lights to the department, which will help keep our officers visible while on traffic scenes at night. We received enough lights to equip our entire patrol force. We appreciate VIP for helping keep our officers safe!

07/04/2026

Reminder: Monthly Tornado Siren Test

The City of Coldwater's outdoor warning sirens will be tested Saturday, July 4, at 1:00 p.m. as part of our regularly scheduled monthly siren test, which takes place on the first Saturday of each month.

This is only a routine test. There is no emergency, and no maintenance is being performed on the sirens.

07/01/2026

If you were driving through the Main 4 (Chicago and Division Streets) this afternoon between 2 and 3 p.m. in a dark blue or black Ford F-150, and discovered something fell out of your truck when you got home, please stop by the police department. We have your item. If you can identify it, and what is inside of it, you can have it back. :)

06/30/2026

Press Release

Date: June 30, 2026

Point of Contact: Joseph Scheid, Director of Public Safety
(517) 278-4525

RE: Employee Stabbed At Local Meat Processing Plant (26-4440)

Coldwater, MI – A 21-year-old Coldwater resident died at a local meat processing facility Monday evening, after being stabbed by a co-worker.

Police, fire and ambulance crews were dispatched to Clemens Food Group, on the city’s north side, on June 29, 2026, at about 7:41 p.m. in response to a reported stabbing.

Coldwater Police report that Brandon Eduardo Velasquez Chavez died after being stabbed by a coworker. Police have arrested the suspect, a 20-year-old Black male, but are withholding his identity pending court arraignment.

Deputies from the Branch County Sheriff’s Department were first to arrive on scene and detained the suspect, while medics from LifeCare Ambulance and the Coldwater Fire Department attempted to treat Chavez’s injuries.

Officers from the Coldwater Police Department interviewed several witnesses to the incident. According to police, witnesses reported that Chavez and the suspect got into a verbal argument while working near each other in the plant. At the conclusion of the argument, the suspect reportedly stabbed Chavez in the back.

Chavez was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect was arrested by officers of the Coldwater Police Department and lodged at the Branch County Jail. The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is requested to contact D/SGT Sarah Gunneman at (517) 278-4525.

The Coldwater Police Department would like to acknowledge the great cooperation and support from the employees and administration of Clemens Food Group.

Coldwater police officers were assisted at the scene by the Branch County Sheriff’s Office, the Michigan State Police, the Coldwater Fire Department, Lifecare Ambulance, and the Medical Examiner’s Office at WMed.

Address

57 Division Street
Coldwater, MI
49036

Website

https://www.coldwater.org/

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