County attorney to examine Bletz shooting

By RYAN JELTEMA
Sentinel-Standard writer
IONIA -- Ionia County takes a "proactive" step to prepare for possible civil litigation in the May 3 shooting death of Boston Township resident Fred Bletz by a sheriff deputy.

Attorney Karrie Boylan of the Cummings, McClory, Davis and Acho law firm in Detroit has been hired through the county's insurance carrier, Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority. She begins evaluation next week of the county's liability in the incident.

Ionia County Sheriff Dwain Dennis requested the review the day after the shooting, and said it is "routine" for all "major incidents" involving the county or sheriff department.

"It's standard for an incident with a likelihood of a lawsuit. We've done it before," said Ionia County Administrator Mark Howe, who serves as the county's risk manager. "This is just a proactive approach to make sure all of the bases are covered."

Similar reviews were conducted following the recent death of an inmate at the County Jail, and in 2002 when a deputy was accused of criminal sexual conduct while on duty.

The review is completely separate from the Michigan State Police investigation of the shooting. Howe said he was unsure how long it may last or how much it will cost. Since the county is self-insured, the cost of the review is paid by the insurance fund.

Boylan will begin preparing a defense for the case in the event a civil lawsuit is filed against the county. She is expected to study police reports of the incident, talk to the officers involved and study "anything that may be beneficial," Howe said.

Most likely, she will not contact Bletz's family.

"She will check things out from a civil perspective," he said.

Neither Howe nor Dennis knew of pending litigation related to the incident.

Ionia County Sheriff Department Sgt. Travis Gribble and Deputy Brent Denny went to Bletz's home, at 7799 Centerline Road, Saranac, shortly before midnight to serve a warrant to his son, Zachary Bletz. While inside the home, Fred Bletz allegedly pointed a .45-caliber handgun at the officers, gun fire was returned, and Bletz died at the scene.