James Windell
South Haven Police Chief Adam DeBoer honored two police officers and three lifeguards with awards at the South Haven City Council meeting on Monday, June 15, 2026.
Calling Detective Knizewiski and Officer Haner to the podium, Chief DeBoer said he had the honor of presenting the police department’s Professional Excellence Award.
“The Professional Excellence Award shall be granted to any member of the South Haven Police Department for an outstanding act, act which brings credit to the department and involves performance above and beyond that required by a member’s basic responsibility, or which the award review board wishes to formally recognize as an outstanding achievement,” said DeBoer.
DeBoer gave details of why the police officers received the awards. “On April 2nd, 2026, Detective Michael Knizewiski and Officer Drexal Haner demonstrated exemplary professionalism, empathy, and investigative excellence during a highly sensitive criminal investigation,” DeBoer said. “Upon responding to two victims of a potential sexual assault in our department lobby, Officer Haner conducted a meticulous interview, establishing critical rapport and developing probable cause for multiple counts of sexual and felonious assault.”
DeBoer said when recognizing that one victim was hesitant to pursue charges due to severe fear of retaliation, Officer Haner and Detective Knizewiski utilized victim-centered policing to build trust, guaranteed safety, and empower both victims to move forward with prosecution.
Ultimately, DeBoer noted, the suspect was successfully charged with five felony counts, including criminal sexual conduct first and second degree, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, assault with a dangerous weapon, felony firearm, domestic violence, and assault and battery.
“The profound professionalism, kindness, tactical proficiency, and unwavering commitment to justice displayed by Detective Knizewiski and Officer Haner resulted in the removal of a serious sexual predator from the community,” DeBoer said.
Chief DeBoer also presented awards to three lifeguards.
“On June 9, 2026, lifeguards Cam Patmos, Trinidad Marcus, and Ryker Diekem of South Haven exemplified extraordinary courage and skill in responding to a critical medical emergency at South Beach,” DeBoer said. “While speaking with a beach patron, Lifeguard Patmos recognized the signs of a medical emergency and immediately activated the lifeguard emergency plan, promptly assessing the patient’s condition.”
Lifeguards Marcus and Diekema then arrived on the scene and initiated high-quality CPR while Lifeguard Patmos prepared and deployed the automated external defibrillator. “Their combined effort were critical,” DeBoer pointed out. “The decisive intervention stabilized the patient, who was subsequently transported in stable condition by South Haven Area Emergency Services to Corewell Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.”
DeBoer said the lifeguards’ adherence to best practices, high-quality CPR, and early defibrillation directly led to saving a life. “For their quick, decisive, and highly effective actions that substantially contributed to a positive outcome in a life-threatening situation, Lifeguards Patmos, Marcus, and Diekema are most deservingly recognized with the South Haven Police Department Lifesaving Award.”
