During his career spanning over 38 years, Sheriff Hughes has worked his way through the ranks. Beginning in the jail as a Corrections Officer, he became the Ambulance Coordinator for the newly acquired Alger County Ambulance Service in 1980. When a position opened as a resident Deputy charged with patrolling Burt Township, he applied for the position and was awarded the job. While serving 18 years as a resident Deputy in Grand Marais, Sheriff Hughes continued to serve Alger County Ambulance by training a multitude of students through many Emergency Medical Technician and First Responder classes within various locations in the county. He was promoted to serve as the Training Sergeant for the county in 1994. Three years later, in 1997 Hughes relocated back to Munising with his family and served as the DARE officer and Training Sergeant prior to being promoted to Undersheriff in 2002.

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In 2010 Sheriff Hughes received a unanimous appointment as Sheriff following the retirement of Sheriff David Cromell. In 2012 Hughes was elected to his first full term in office.

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In his final year as Sheriff, Hughes is anxious to assist in the first major renovations to the Alger County Jail. The current jail is a 24 bed facility built in 1964. “We are adding 22 beds to help house an increasing number of inmates as well as bring in revenue for the county by contracting out bed space to other counties.“

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He has personally worked on two murder cases and has seen the suspects convicted. The most notable of these cases being the Thomas Richardson case in 2006. We have had great deputies over the years, and most of the crimes in the county are solved.

During his time as Undersheriff and term in Office Sheriff Hughes has noted many accomplishments including:

• Implemented the growth of the Ambulance Service from Basic Life Support to a fully staffed and equipped Advanced Life Support Service.

• Organized the elite Alger County “Rescue 21” team, in memory of Deputy Paul Grahovac.   This team provides a variety of special rescue services, including vehicle extrication, backcountry search and rescue, water rescue, and underwater rescue/recovery.

• Upgraded the 911 system to a Computer Aided Dispatch system and the first phase of Next Generation 911 (Texting to 911).

• Brought the Alger County Jail into 100% compliance with the Department of Corrections Administrative Rules for 5 of his 6 years in office.

• Worked with Tall Pines Enterprises to set forth promotional requirements, training and testing process for all command staff prior to achieving rank. Additional supervisors allowed for coverage on afternoons, midnights and week-ends, minimizing the Counties risk and liability.

• Worked to incorporate a fitness incentive into the department to promote fitness objectives for all employees.

• Implemented a complete review of department polices and procedures that meet Michigan Municipal Risk Management standards to minimize liability and risk to the County and its employees.

• Put a complete set of 911 dispatch policies and procedures in place including upgraded Emergency Medical Dispatch guides.

• Maintained close working relationships with the Alger County Board of Commissioners and achieved realistic budgets allowing for a professional and progressive office.

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With his licensure as a Paramedic and EMS Instructor Coordinator, Hughes is anxious to get back and serve once again as a volunteer on the Burt Township Ambulance Corps. Other EMS agencies in neighboring counties also have a need for paramedics and I hope to help fill some of these needs,” says Hughes.

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“In 1978 the Burt Township Board graciously helped me get into a law enforcement career. During a conversation with the Township Supervisor during the summer of 1978 I expressed my interest in this career path. Together we found out there was a need for sponsorship to get into the Regional Police Academy. The Township Board appointed me as a Burt Township Marshal to allow me entrance into the police academy, I would hope that I could repay this favor with continued service in the Burt Township area.” Hughes attended the Northern Michigan University Police Academy class 78-2. “Upon graduation I stopped in Munising and met with Alger County Sheriff Cluen “Dan” Malone. Two months later I had a full time job and started my career with the Alger County Sheriffs Office.”

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“My years of training as a firearms instructor, defensive tactics instructor, tactical medical instructor and other police services will also allow me to bring training to law enforcement agencies and citizens alike.”

Sheriff Hughes has recently entered into a partnership with his brother, Joseph Bezotte, who owns and operates Core Security Consulting LLC. This company specializes in safety and security training that is applicable to everyone in these uncertain times. Sheriff Hughes will help Core Security Consulting LLC to expand from their home base in Minnesota into the Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin.