Grand Rapids Press
OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Huizenga’s work history and his acceptance of responsibility in the shooting and wounding of a college student played big roles in his return to his job on road patrol, Sheriff Gary Rosema said Thursday.
He said Huizenga “clearly accepted responsibility” for shooting Grand Valley State University student Derek Copp during a March drug raid at an off-campus apartment.
After an internal investigation, Rosema said Huizenga, 37, will be reinstated to full duty Aug. 1. He was assigned to the West Michigan Enforcement Team, or WEMET, when the shooting occurred, but will go back to his job as a patrol deputy.
Rosema described Huizenga as a top-notch deputy whose “ability level is just second to none.”
He acknowledged the reinstatement would not be popular with everyone.
“There have been two sides that have shared with us opinions on this. This was not an off-the-wall decision. It was something we put a lot of thought and time into.”
GVSU senior Justin Kahrs was critical of the sheriff’s action, which includes a 10-day unpaid suspension for the deputy.
“He should have lost his job for sure,” said Kahrs, a computer science senior who helped organize a student rally in support of Copp.
“This is a slap on the wrist.”
Kahrs said Huizenga, a 12-year deputy, “clearly broke protocol. ... It’s a mistake you can’t make.”
Huizenga had wide backing in the community and his department.
A longtime friend said Huizenga, a married father of three who grew up in Zeeland, is looking forward to getting back to road patrol.
“It’s been a slow, tough road for him and his family,” Brian Bekins said. “I think it’s everyone’s hope that everything just calms down and people can go back to their lives.”
Deputy Matt VanLiere, president of the Ottawa County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, said: “I’m in contact with people all over the county, and I have yet to find one person in our agency that doesn’t respect Ryan or doesn’t support him.”
He backed Rosema’s decision to immediately release findings of the internal review to the public.
Huizenga did not return calls. Copp declined to comment, while his attorney, Fred Dilley, did not return messages. GVSU had no comment.
Huizenga was working with a WEMET team when his gun discharged while police were entering Copp’s apartment to execute a search warrant.
Copp, who was unarmed, was raising his arms to shield his face from an officer’s flashlight when he was shot, his family said. He was hospitalized and recovered from his injuries.
Huizenga on July 1 pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of reckless discharge of a firearm. He was placed on probation for six months, and ordered to perform 80 hours of community service.
The sheriff’s internal investigation included a review of state police records into the incident, as well as an interview of Huizenga by Undersheriff Gregory Steigenga.
According to the report, Huizenga acknowledged he violated policy on use of firearms, but when questioned about possible “unbecoming conduct,” he told investigators “that (he) had not intentionally as it relates to this policy, but because of what happened my intentional actions could relate to this policy.”
Rosema wrote: “It is clear in the various stages of both the criminal and internal investigations that I have found nothing that shows that you had any specific intent to harm or wound Mr. Derek Copp.
“With this said, it appears that because of a split-second combination of events occurring, which include the slider abruptly coming open, Mr. Copp moving the doorway curtains back, and Mr. Copp’s hand being raised ... it is then that your weapon discharged.”
Rosema wrote that he talked to Huizenga about “a startled reaction during this split-second encounter at which time you believe that your finger ended up within the trigger guard area. You have clearly demonstrated your understanding of the significance of this event, and I have appreciated the fact that you have taken responsibility for your actions.”
But, he noted, Huizenga’s weapon “is your responsibility and your actions demonstrate a clear ‘failure to prevent your weapon from accidentally discharging.’”
Police were investigating Copp’s roommate, Conor Bardallis, 22, after he allegedly sold marijuana three times to undercover officers or informants, court records show. Copp sold marijuana once to an undercover officer the day of the raid.
Copp pleaded guilty to delivery of marijuana and awaits an Aug. 10 sentencing. His record could be erased after a probationary period.
Bardallis awaits a July 30 trial.
Copyright 2009 Grand Rapids Press