COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Sheriff’s Department Captain and Jail Administrator Fred Blankenship has become the third announced candidate in the upcoming race for Branch County Sheriff.
Sheriff John Pollack has announced his retirement as of the end of 2024 and Blankenship says he held off on announcing his candidacy until after the Sheriff’s announcement.
Blankenship has served over 28 years for three different Branch County Sheriffs. He worked several positions within the Sheriff’s Office before being promoted to Captain including Court Officer, Road Patrol Deputy, Corrections, and a Special Investigator to the Prosecutors Office. Blankenship was promoted to his current position over 20 years ago.
He said in his announcement, “I am very familiar with how our county government works and have been instrumental in getting changes made for our community and fellow deputies.”
Coldwater Police Department School Resource Officer Robin Swartz and Sheriff’s Department Deputy and former Michigan State Police Trooper Michael Thyng have also announced their intentions to run for Sheriff.
Longmire For Sheriff-Honesty and Integrity!