GH officer accused of domestic assault

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) - A Grand Haven Department of Public Safety officer who was named Officer of the Year in 2005 has pleaded not guilty to allegedly assaulting her husband.

Dana DeVries is a 13-year veteran of the department and her husband also is an officer on the force. She was arraigned Wednesday in Holland District Court for a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. The judge in Grand Haven removed himself from the case since he knows the suspect.

The judge set a bond of $1,000 and said DeVries is not to have any contact with the victim. She was released from custody Wednesday afternoon after spending the night in the Kent County jail.

Alcohol may have factored into the incident, police say, although DeVries has no prior history of alcohol abuse.

At around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, police were made aware of the incident that took place at the couple's home in the 12000 block of 144th Avenue in Robinson Township. The Grand Haven police requested the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department investigate.

DeVries, 36, will face an internal investigation and disciplinary action in accordance with the departmental policy, which could result in suspension or dismissal from employment, according to a news release.

The department officers have received domestic violence training after past incidents involving officers, Grand Haven Police Chief Dennis Edwards told 24 Hour News 8. Incidents of domestic violence will not be tolerated, he added, but he is waiting to hear more before determining what disciplinary action is appropriate.

Any illegal act should reflect only on the integrity of the individual and not the entire department, Edwards said.

The couple has been separated for two months. They have two kids -- one is from DeVries' husband's previous relationship.

Neighbors recently saw DeVries' husband move some belongings out of the house, they said.

She was named Officer of the Year when she was known as Dana Beekman. Her next court appearance is set for Nov. 10.