Branch County Sheriff's Office

10/19/2026

The Branch County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Marble Chain of Lakes Improvement Assoc. for their generous donation to help outfit our patrol fleet with Mobile Computer Terminals (MCTs)!

These terminals will make a significant difference in our ability to serve and protect the residents and visitors enjoying Branch County’s waterways. They will improve deputy safety by allowing dispatch and other deputies to better monitor the locations of our patrol units while on duty. MCTs will also allow our marine deputies to spend more time actively patrolling our local waterways by completing reports while on the water, quickly accessing vessel registration information, and communicating more efficiently with our dispatch center and fellow deputies.

The Marble Chain of Lakes Improvement Association has consistently gone above and beyond in supporting the Branch County Marine Division over the years. Their generosity has helped us in numerous ways, including:

Re-powering a patrol boat by helping fund a new motor.

Purchasing illuminated buoys for the South Chain, improving the visibility of slow-no-wake areas and clearly marking channels after dark.

Outfitting our marine deputies with personal flotation devices (PFDs) to help keep our deputies safe while working on the water.

Sponsoring our Life Jacket Loan Program, helping ensure boaters have access to life jackets when they need them.

Supporting our Skier Down Flag Program, promoting awareness and safety for those enjoying water sports.

Providing outer carriers for our Marine Division, helping outfit our deputies with essential equipment for their duties.

Sponsoring boater safety classes and supporting community events that promote safe boating practices.

These contributions have a direct impact on deputy safety, public safety, and our ability to keep Branch County’s waterways safe for everyone.

We cannot thank the Marble Chain of Lakes Improvement Association enough for their years of generosity, community involvement, and unwavering support of our Marine Division. Their continued commitment goes far beyond Marble Lake, helping us improve safety and services throughout Branch County.

Partnerships like this make a real difference! We are incredibly grateful for everything the Marble Chain of Lakes Improvement Association has done and continues to do for our deputies, our department, and our community.

From all of us at the Branch County Sheriff’s Office, THANK YOU!

10/16/2026

10/15/2026

Sheriff's Office detectives have arrested a suspect in a multi-county investigation involving a stolen trailer and a fi***rm. This case moved forward thanks to strong cooperation among local, state, and federal partners, along with information from our community.

I’m grateful to the agencies that assisted and to Branch County residents for their continued support. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Read full press release attached.

Sheriff Blankenship

10/10/2026

A big thank you to the Gilead Lake Association for hosting their first Boater Safety Class at the Gilead Township Hall!

We greatly appreciate your partnership and your commitment to helping us provide boater safety education and make our lakes safer for everyone. We look forward to hosting many more classes together in the future!

🚤 We have one Boater Safety Class remaining this year:

📅 October 17th
📍 Coldwater Lake Association

Pre-registration is required. Register here:
Register for the October 17th Boater Safety Class: https://michigan.storefront.kalkomey.com/em/events/11563

Thank you again to the Gilead Lake Association for helping us promote safe and responsible boating in our community! 🚤

10/10/2026

🚨 TRAINING NOTICE 🚨

The Branch County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting training today at the Bronson High School. Thank you to Bronson Community Schools for the use of their facilities.

Residents in the area may notice a large law enforcement presence, including emergency vehicles and personnel. This is a planned training exercise and there is no cause for alarm.

We appreciate the community’s understanding and cooperation as our deputies and local law enforcement partners continue to train and prepare to keep our schools and communities safe.

— Sheriff Fred Blankenship
Branch County Sheriff’s Office

10/03/2026

🚨 TRAINING NOTICE 🚨

The Branch County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting training today at Anderson Elementary School in Bronson. Thank you to Bronson Community Schools for the use of their facilities.

Residents in the area may notice a large law enforcement presence, including emergency vehicles and personnel. This is a planned training exercise and there is no cause for alarm.

We appreciate the community’s understanding and cooperation as our deputies and local law enforcement partners continue to train and prepare to keep our schools and communities safe.

— Sheriff Fred Blankenship
Branch County Sheriff’s Office

10/01/2026

SAVE THE DATE!!! DEPUTIES VS. DETROIT LIONS BASKETBALL GAME

I’m excited to share that the Branch County Deputy Sheriff’s Association will host the Detroit Lions Legends for their 34th annual basketball game on Wednesday, March 10, 2027, at 7 p.m. at Coldwater High School. Lions Legends will sign autographs at halftime!

Tickets: $25 single, $40 pair, or $50 family ticket (up to 8 people). Get yours at wolverineproductions.org or branchcountydsa.publicsafetypsa.com. See the press release for details!

09/30/2026

A reminder!!!