"His peers credit him for his critical role in the development of the modern-day Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department and for facilitating a high level of cooperation with the other area police agencies.

Retired Tribal Police Captain Ralph Sawmick, who died Aug. 20, left an indelible impact on his fellow police administrators.

“He has not been given the credit he deserves,” said retired Mt. Pleasant Police Chief Martin Trombley following Sawmick’s recent memorial service.

Sawmick began his law enforcement career in 1976 as the second ever Tribal cop in a one-room office at the east end of the Tribal Operations building. After certification he went on to captain the department for 22 years, retiring due to ill health in 2000 shortly after the new tribal police and court facility was officially completed.

“His whole heart was into bettering the legal protection of Tribal members,” said former Tribal Judge Doug Gurski, now of Portland. “He wanted their respect, and he gave respect. That is what he was all about in a nutshell.”"

Get the Story:
Ralph Sawmick fostered cooperation, earned respect (The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun 9/3)

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Letter: Saginaw Chippewa Tribe loses warrior Ralph Sawmick (8/31)