Lansing - The Michigan Sheriffs’ Association announces that it has unanimously elected Sheriff James D. Bosscher of Missaukee County to serve as the President of its Board of Directors for the 2010 term, which begins January 1.  He was sworn in by Attorney General Mike Cox at the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association 2009 Fall Training Conference.

            Sheriff Bosscher has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience. He started his law enforcement career with the Missaukee County Sheriff’s Office as a Corrections Officer, and was subsequently assigned to the Traverse Narcotics Team.   In 1992 Bosscher was elected by the citizens of Missaukee County and is currently serving his fifth term.

                        Sheriff Bosscher attended the Police Academy at Delta Community College.  He has served on the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association Board of Directors since 2007 and was appointed by the Governor to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards where he currently serves as vice-chair.

Sheriff Bosscher has been married to his wife, Cindy, for 32 years.  The Bosscher’s have three adult children and two grandchildren.

             The Board of Directors represents the core values of this organization,” said Michigan Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Terrence L. Jungel. “These Sheriffs are the leaders who will set the course for this ship as we navigate the troubled waters of this economy and will continue to have an impact for years to come.

Board officers elected at the Fall Conference include President James D. Bosscher, Sheriff of Missaukee County; Vice-President Lawrence A. Stelma, Sheriff of Kent County; and Secretary-Treasurer Michael Oltersdorf, Sheriff of Leelanau County. Immediate Past President of the statewide association is Houghton County Sheriff Brian J. McLean and the New Sheriffs’ Representative is Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel. Other Sheriffs elected to serve on the Board include Mackinac County Sheriff Scott Strait, Jackson County Sheriff Daniel H. Heyns and Isabella County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski.

The Michigan Sheriffs’ Association was established in 1877 to represent the state’s 83 elected sheriffs and is the oldest Law Enforcement organization in Michigan.  For more information or to become a citizen member, please visit our website at www.misheriff.org.