Van Buren County Sheriff Dan Abbott has been named the 2025 Sheriff of the Year by the Michigan Sheriffs Association.
Abbott tells us he picked up the award this past weekend at the association’s development conference in Grand Rapids. He still can’t believe he’s been picked by colleagues statewide for the honor.
“I can tell you when I got the call from the executive director, I was speechless,” Abbott said. “You know, you do this job to get back to the community. I truly believe in my faith that it’s a calling. So when you get honored for such an award like that, I can tell you I was speechless, humbled.”
Abbott is the distinguished recipient of the Terrence L. Jungel Sheriff of the Year Award, which is presented annually to a Michigan sheriff who exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to public service. He says he’s found the best way to serve as sheriff is to remember why you’re doing it.
“You gotta be humble and true to your roots on who you are. You need to put the uniform on every day and come in and do it for the right reason, not for a pat on the back or a paycheck. And just lead from the front by example.”
Abbott says he’s supported by a great staff who all are dedicated to the community and love serving. He was selected for the award by fellow sheriffs all over the state.
Abbott has been in law enforcement for 32 years, all of them with the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department. He was first elected sheriff in 2016.
