Berrien County’s 911 Dispatcher of the Year is Steven Ballard.
At a Thursday meeting of the Berrien County Board of Commissioners, Undersheriff Greg Sanders said Ballard has worked with 911 Central Dispatch since 2020 and serves as a training officer and officer in charge. He was nominated for his role helping to catch a murder suspect in Baroda last year.
“On June 18th, he took a call regarding a shooting that had occurred, resulting in one of the individuals dying,” Sanders said. “To help out, they looked for cell numbers that might have been associated with the suspect, and he made several calls and ended up speaking with the wife of the suspect, who was with the suspect at that time.”
Through the wife, Ballard talked the suspect into surrendering to police and he was brought into custody with no further injuries.
Board of Commissioners Chair Mac Elliott saluted Ballard and the other four nominees.
“I don’t know that in memory there has been a more impactful Dispatcher of the Year Award than we’re going to be dealing with this morning,” Elliott said. “All honorable and meritorious candidates.”
Also recognized were nominees Bobbie Evans, Cindy Napier, Sarah Blurton, and Danae Fitz and Mark Fitzsimons, who were nominated together for their work as Niles city dispatchers. Elliott said the nominees all work to change and save lives each and every day.
