Courtesy Photo Presque Isle County Sheriff Joe Brewbaker and Deputy Luther Anderson are pictured. Anderson is a recent addition to the Presque Isle Sheriff Office’s team of deputies.

ALPENA — Two new deputies were recently hired to local sheriff’s offices, showing the dedication of young people to serving their communities on the tail of Police Week.

Police Week is celebrated every May in Michigan during the week of May 15. May 15 is Police Officers Memorial Day, a commemoration started by President John F. Kennedy to honor police officers that have died in the line of duty, a May 8 press release from Police Week Michigan stated.

That release stated that 17,000 law enforcement officers serve Michigan’s residents every day.

Now, Deputies Luther Anderson of the Presque Isle County Sheriff’s Office, and Hayden Johnston of the Alcona County Sheriff’s Office have been added to that number.

Presque Isle County Sheriff Joe Brewbaker said that Anderson’s enthusiasm made him a good choice for the job.

“(He had) great enthusiasm, about having a job and wanting to work,” Brewbaker said.

Anderson said that he is originally from Tawas. His interest in being a police officer sparked from reading law books as a kid.

“I was always really fascinated with the law,” he said.

Anderson also said he likes the physical activity aspect of the job.

“For me it was kind of an easy choice,” he said.

Anderson recently graduated from the Kirtland Regional Police Academy. He said his fiancee Miranda and his mom inspired him to become a police officer.

In his time in the police academy, he said he learned a lot about human dignity and that a lot of police work is actually dedicated to helping people and not so much about arresting people constantly.

“It’s been a really awesome experience learning from Sheriff Brewbaker and the deputies,” Anderson said. “They’re really great people and I’ve really enjoyed their company.”

Alcona County Sheriff Scott Stephenson said that Johnston was an easy choice to join the team as someone that has roots in Alcona.

“We’ve had our difficulties with people coming here and then going elsewhere,” Stephenson said. “He had the commitment and desire to work in the area.”

Johnston said he has always had the desire to help others as an oldest brother.

“The reason I wanted to become a police officer is because I wanted to be the person that somebody called if they need help,” Johnston said.

Johnston also graduated from Kirtland’s police academy this year. He earned the Thomas M. Grace Top Shooter Award for marksmanship.

“I was completely surprised,” Johnston said about earning the award. “I thought I was doing alright during shooting but I didn’t know I was doing that well.”

Johnston is a 2023 Alcona High School graduate. Right after high school, he served in the National Guard and was deployed in the army.

He said that his dad inspired him throughout his life.

“Just the way he raised me to be kind to everybody and treat everybody with respect, kind of just molded me into who I need to be,” Johnston said.

In his first couple of weeks on the job, he has been doing a lot of training, but said he is enjoying being able to help the people that need it.