Sumpter Twp. Officer of the Year resigns to change careers

At the June 22 zoom meeting of the Sumpter Township Board of Trustees the board accepted the resignation, with regrets, of Police Officer Joseph Hogan effective June 25.
Public Safety Director/Police Chief Eric Luke said Officer Hogan was the 2020 Sumpter Officer of the Year.
“We’re going to miss him,” said Director Luke. “He was Officer of the Year for 2020 and he’s getting out of law enforcement completely… He definitely was an extraordinary police officer.”
Director Luke said Officer Hogan made the decision to change careers.
Trustee Tim Rush said Hogan’s resignation was a loss for the township.
He said police and first responders are walking around with targets on their backs, adding there have been no incidents in Sumpter Township.
Hogan was hired on May 22, 2018.
In the announcement of awards on the public safety department’s Facebook page, Luke wrote:
“Over the course of the year, Officer Hogan has exemplified what a Sumpter Township Police Officer should be. Despite personal risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Officer Hogan continued to be proactive in the community, particularly in the Rawsonville Woods Mobile Home Park, in response to several violent crimes.
“Through his exceptional police skills, Officer Hogan conducted self-initiated activity and apprehended drug dealers within the community. His keen sense in narcotics enforcement led to the discovery of numerous Ecstasy tablets and illegal prescription pills intended to be distributed within our community, following a vehicle pursuit and foot chase (20-2324).
“His skills also came to light in the apprehension of a suspected heroin dealer and parole absconder at a known drug house (20-5138).
“Additionally, Officer Hogan arrested a suspected crack cocaine dealer, who in turn tried eating a large amount of the drugs to eliminate evidence. Despite the dealer’s efforts, Officer Hogan was still able to recover evidence and articulate the offense (20-7814).
“Officer Hogan’s ability to detect criminal activity is second to none, his investigations are solid, and his reports are articulated clearly and concisely, resulting in approved charges.”