Officer receives life saver award

Grand Valley Public Safety officer Mathew Brown has been selected as one of the 2007 recipients of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Life Saver award. Brown will be honored, along with other selected police officers from around the state, during a luncheon February 21, in Lansing.

Brown is being recognized for the number of drunken driving arrests he made last year and for his work as a community officer presenting educational information to students. A program specifically noted by MADD was “Shots with Cops,” an awareness program that teaches students about alcohol laws, alcohol overdoses and date-rape drugs.

“I was very excited to hear about the award,” said Brown. “I’m proud of the programs we offer at Grand Valley. We’re able to connect with students and we’re able to talk with them about the dangers of alcohol abuse and being responsible.”

Brown graduated from Grand Valley’s Police Academy in 2005 and will soon begin work at the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office.

“While this honor will be presented to Matt, it is a reflection on our entire department in the enforcement and prevention of underage drinking and drunken driving,” said Captain Brandon DeHaan, assistant director of Public Safety.