Kent County officer leaves gun at Kenowa Hills HS
ALPINE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — A Kent County officer left behind a handgun at Kenowa Hills High School, the school says, where it was found by two students who immediately reported it.
It all happened Wednesday after regular school hours, Kenowa Hills Public Schools Superintendent Gerald Hopkins said in a letter to parents. Hopkins said the Kent County marine officer was at the high school on Hendershot Avenue NW near 4 Mile Road north of Walker to teach a boating safety class. Shortly after the officer used the restroom, the two students found the gun there.
“The handgun had been left unattended for a very short time after school had finished,” the letter reads in part.
The students reported the gun to school workers, who “secured” the bathroom and called the Kent County Sheriff’s Office.
The superintendent praised the students for their “quick and highly responsible actions.”
“We understand that incidents like these can be alarming. KHPS and the Sheriff’s Office want to assure you that we take safety very seriously and are committed to maintaining open communication with our school community. We appreciate your continued support and cooperation as we work together to ensure the safety of our school,” Hopkins’ letter concluded.
Capt. Joel Roon sheriff’s office said the officer is on unpaid administrative leave. The marine officer role is a part-time, seasonal position but requires the same training as a full-time deputy. Roon said he doesn’t believe the officer was with the department for very long and added that this is an “extremely rare occurrence” within the department.
“This is just a really humbling reminder for our staff that will lead to some reviews of our own training and culture and policy; all the things that would hopefully prevent this kind of thing from happening again,” Roon said. “Parallel to that, we are thankful and we’re focusing on a very safe outcome in this situation and that’s really the result of two outstanding students who just had a picture-perfect response.”
Shane Smith, whose daughter attends Kenowa Hills High School, said he was shocked when he learned what happened.
“It’s scary, you know. I mean, what if those kids didn’t turn in that gun? What if they had other ideas? I mean, they had multiple sporting events going on at the time at the school last night. I was at a soccer game for my daughter at the time,” he said. “It could have ended way differently than what it did.”
He said the officer should face serious consequences.
“If he doesn’t at least lose his job, it’s going to be a slap in the face to any citizen that will get jail time for the same thing,” Smith said.
He pointed to Michigan’s new safe storage laws, which carry jail time and fines if a minor gets a hold of a gun that was not stored safely or left unattended. Those penalties are worse if someone is hurt or killed.
“A cop should be held at a higher standard than what an average citizen should be,” Smith said.
Roon said it will likely take several days to determine which charges, if any, the officer will face or if the individual will get to stay in their position.
“I certainly want to acknowledge and affirm all the concerns of parents and school leadership, and anyone that has concerns about this situation. We’re concerned as well, which is why we’re taking it so seriously. As for any laws that would apply to the situation, that determination is going to come at the conclusion of the internal investigation,” Roon said.
He added that although he’s grateful for the safe outcome, this can also serve as a reminder for parents to have conversations with their kids about gun safety, something Smith said he does often.
“Make sure your kids know to do the right thing if they ever find a gun or something like that that’s unsecured. Make sure they know what they need to do in a situation like that,” Smith said.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
