Gebauer named Washtenaw 100 Officer of the Year

Sgt. Joel Gebauer (left) of the Manchester/Lodi collaboration of WCSO was awarded the Washtenaw 100 “Police Officer of the Year” last week. Photo courtesy of Washtenaw 100.

by Marsha Chartrand

“I’m pleased to announce that our own Sergeant Joel Gebauer was awarded as the 2024 Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for Washtenaw County last night at the Washtenaw 100 Dinner,” said City Manager Michael Sessions in a communiqué to Manchester City Council and staff on Friday, October 25. Gebauer was nominated for this prestigious position by Police Services Commander Keith Flores.

“Sgt. Gebauer has been with the Sheriff’s Office for over 16 years and is currently assigned as the supervisor for our Manchester City/Lodi Township collaboration. Sgt. Gebauer oversees and is integral to all aspects of operations within the Manchester/Lodi Collaboration, overseeing six deputies directly, as well as handling Sheriff’s Office west operations for his day-to-day supervisory duties. Sgt. Gebauer regularly interacts with both Manchester City and Lodi Township elected officials, working with them to ensure open and clear lines of communication for the community. Gebauer regularly attends City meetings after hours to present on Sheriff’s Office operations and answer questions from both officials and citizens alike,” Flores said in his letter of recommendation.

Flores said, “Sgt. Gebauer was integral in the conceptualization, actualization, design, and outfitting of the new Lodi Township Community Station. He is well respected by his staff for his clear, positive, and unassuming demeanor. Gebauer is extremely experienced and knowledgeable and is always willing to share his experience with staff in a positive way. In addition to his day-to-day duties, Sgt. Gebauer is an integral member of the Sheriff’s Office Hiring and Recruiting Team. He regularly travels to various police academies and job fairs across the state with the WCSO Human Resources staff. Sgt. Gebauer is exceptional in his ability to present what the Sheriff’s Office has to offer to those looking for employment. These trips often take place on  scheduled leave days, demonstrating his commitment to the growth of the Sheriff’s Office.”

Gebauer is also the Team Commander of the Sheriff’s Office Underwater Search and Recovery Team. This team consists of team members from the Sheriff’s Office as well as two members from the Ann Arbor Police Department. Sgt. Gebauer responds to and coordinates all emergency responses to water-borne incidents throughout the county, as well as supporting outside agencies around the state. “Through Sgt. Gebauer’s leadership, our dive team is recognized as a premier team within our entire region,” Flores noted. “This is due to the high level of technical capabilities of the team as well as the connections Sgt. Gebauer maintains and partnerships he has developed with the MSP dive Team as well as the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.” In addition to his other day-to-day roles and role with the Dive Team, Sgt. Gebauer also oversees the Sheriff’s Office Marine Division Deputy and all the Marine Division staff as well as being the “resident expert” for the Sheriff’s Office Civil Division.

Flores concluded, “Sgt. Gebauer handles all his responsibilities in an understated but extremely professional way. He is extremely knowledgeable, thoughtful, and even-tempered in how he handles every situation. Sgt. Gebauer has a quick wit and is never shy to share that wit with everyone he encounters. He is on call 24/7 with his various duties and responsibilities and gives of himself well above what is expected or required. I would like to recognize Sgt. Joel Gebauer’s quiet professionalism and selfless dedication to the Washtenaw County community by nominating him for the Washtenaw 100 Police Officer of the Year.”

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.