Sacrificing for their communities

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Newschannel 3 is continuing our month-long series highlighting the good news that comes out of the State of Michigan.

On Monday we took a look at a group of people getting involved to keep everyone safe.

You might not recognize them at first, as they look like any other deputy, but they're not. They are the Reserve Division at the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department.

At the annual Fourth of July parade in Schoolcraft there were many people sprinkled through the crowds who were wearing the uniform, but they weren't all Kalamazoo County Deputies.

"We do all the traffic control for the parade and early morning Firecracker 500 race," said Cpt. Don Jarzambek of the Reserve Division.

The 86 members of the Reserve Division range in age from 23 to almost 80 and come from all walks of life. These people donate their time and their money. They carry everything that a regular officer would carry and help out with things that the regular deputies simply can't get to.

"Simple things, helping with parades, special events, WMU football in the fall, those things simply wouldn't get done," said Undersheriff Pali Matyas of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office.

The program comes along with some pretty serious training, including a seventeen week class that meets once or twice weekly from January to May.

To qualify for the Reserve Division you need to be at least 21 years old and not have any felonies on your record.

"It's a big requirement of time out of our lives because most of us have jobs and families, but we're willing to give ourselves to make the community better and safer," said Sgt. Randy Homic of the Reserve Division.

Currently the Reserve Division is recruiting new volunteers, you can find more information on their website by clicking here.