Berrien County Undersheriff Chuck Heit is officially running for sheriff. He is seeking to succeed Sheriff Paul Bailey, who will retire later this year before the end of his term in 2024. Heit is also seeking to be named interim sheriff when Bailey’s retirement takes effect and has served 21 years as undersheriff. Bailey says Heit “is by far the most qualified person to serve as sheriff for Berrien County and is a man of strong faith and integrity.”
The undersheriff graduated in 1987 from New Buffalo High School and graduated in 1992 from the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Police Academy. He has worked for the Buchanan Police Department, Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, and was the New Buffalo police chief from 1999 until 2002 when he became undersheriff for the county. Heit also graduated in 2011 from the FBI National Academy.
