Information provided by Terry Sommer

In sudden news in late August, the Village of Stockbridge and Stockbridge Township experienced a changing of the guard. Police Chief Matthew Bartus left Stockbridge for an opportunity on the Wayne, Michigan, police department. In his place, Sergeant Joshua Howe of Stockbridge was named the interim Stockbridge Police Chief.

Chief Howe has been in law enforcement for 26 years. He began part-time in Stockbridge in 2023 and was promoted to sergeant in February of this year.

Bartus recruited Howe to come to Stockbridge. “I came to work with Chief Bartus to rejuvenate myself, and I enjoy the small-town feel of Stockbridge,” Howe said.

Other news in the department includes Officer Ezekiel Allen graduating from the police academy. Allen is currently performing his field training in Stockbridge and Stockbridge Township.