Ferris in Your Community: Chris Schwartzkopf

Chris Schwartzkopf says most of the people in his family worked in the business world, but he wanted to go in another direction.  

“There was a time when I was considering a career in engineering, which would have been in line with our tradition of taking roles in corporate life,” he said. “It came down to the realization I wanted to work outside a business and office setting, in a career that would allow me to help other people and keep our community safe.”

Schwartzkopf, now a St. Clair County Sheriff’s detective, forged a career in law enforcement in eastern Lower Michigan, which started decades ago at Ferris State University by recognizing and pursuing his passions.

Schwartzkopf completed studies in Ferris State’s Law Enforcement Academy, in 1989 and joined the police department in the village of Capac, in western St. Clair County. Then, he met Steven Amey, the director of Ferris State’s LEA program.

“My education and dedication to learning really helped my ability to be an effective communicator with the public,” Schwartzkopf said. “I came to Capac and succeeded in continuing studies for a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at Ferris by working with the police department half-time, on weekends. I earned that degree in 1992 and am proud to have come along as a law enforcement professional with Steve Amey, who went on to earn his Ph.D. I have always enjoyed our relationship and accomplishments.”

Schwartzkopf joined the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office in 1997. He started as a special deputy and progressed in responsibilities for the next 19 years by moving to full-time road patrol duty and receiving a promotion to the detective bureau in 2017.

“I had gained experience as a crash investigator and training officer for our road patrol,” Schwartzkopf said. “I have also served as a special investigator in support of our county’s medical examiner’s office. I feel the knowledge I gained from Criminal Justice studies at Ferris placed me in a position to excel in investigative and leadership roles.”

Since joining the detective bureau, Schwartzkopf is proud of his contributions in investigating felony cases, including crimes of abuse against victims of all ages.

“As officer-in-charge for one of the largest sexual assault cases in our county’s history, we were able to get the predator off the street,” Schwartzkopf said. “I found great satisfaction in delivering a case to our prosecutor’s office that led to the suspect’s conviction. I also able applied my investigative skills to secure the conviction of an embezzler who had taken nearly $100,000.”

The detective duty demands mean Schwartzkopf’s role as a community servant has been almost entirely offered through law enforcement.

“I am proud to be a member of the Masons in Capac, which included a term as Master of the Lodge,” Schwartzkopf said. “The demands of my job really do not allow me to continue as a leader there.”

The detective added that while he works well across the state from Ferris State, his alma mater is frequently a conversation topic, whether on the job or around his community.

“Here at the sheriff’s office, several deputies earned certificates or degrees from Ferris, along with other alumni who have retired from the force,” Schwarzkopf said. “We also have a lieutenant and sergeant from the university, so we are well-represented in the department’s administration. Ferris CJ and LEA graduates are given top priority as we recruit to build and maintain our staffing levels because we know they have received excellent training.”

While out and about off the job, Schwarzkopf said dental hygienists and optometrists he has also encountered hail from Ferris State, which is always a pleasant discovery.

Even at this point in an active and accomplished career, Schwartzkopf sees his educational journey as incomplete.

“I know that retirement is in my not-too-distant future,” Schwartzkopf said. “Regardless, I am continuing to learn to become a sergeant and further my service in our detective bureau.”