The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has honored Captain Rockey Adams following his retirement after 25 years with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, including more than a decade as emergency management coordinator.
Commissioners on Thursday approved an honorary resolution recognizing Adams’ contributions to public safety. Sheriff Chuck Heit tells us throughout his career, Adams did it all.
“He’s got a vast career,” Heit said. “He started in the marine division. Early on he worked in the jail, on the road, went up through the different ranks, sergeant, lieutenant. He was on the bomb team. So Rocky did so many things for the sheriff’s office. We’re just thankful for his service and wanted to wish him well. I just thank him for his leadership and mentorship over the years.”
From 2013 until retiring in 2026, Adams led the county’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division. In that role, he secured more than $8 million in homeland security grants and helped coordinate responses to major incidents, including the 2011 Sawyer truck explosion, the 2017 Niles tornado, the 2018 flood, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2022 Christmas blizzard.
The board’s resolution says that Adams’ career reflects great credit upon himself, his family, and the community.
Heit says Captain Dave Albers is now serving as the new emergency management coordinator. Adams’ last day was last Friday.
