Ferndale Fire Marshal Lauded by Oakland County Sheriff's Office

The Oakland County Sheriff's office awarded Ferndale Fire Marshal Brian Batten Wednesday for the work he and Unified Investigations Fire Investigator Michael Roarty did in uncovering an arson on July 8, 2009. Roarty was also awarded.

The sheriff's office annually recognizes citizens who help out the department in the solving or stopping crimes taking place. The annual awards ceremony honored 26 Michigan residents this year.

Batten understands it's not just him that helps solve arson crimes.

"It was a team effort," he said. "It was an honor to get this award. But if it wasn't for the guys fighting the fires and doing such a professional job, we wouldn't be that successful in solving arson."

On July 8, 2009, the Ferndale Fire Department responded to a residential fire. After an investigation and during additional interviews, the suspect confessed to starting the fire. Her confession matched the evident at the scene. She was arrested, convicted of arson and sent to prison with a 20-month to 20-year sentence.

The Fire Marshal also explained that the city has invested highly in him to find the answers to Ferndale arson crimes. "I'm blessed in the fact that when I took the job, I was given a lot of support from the city and they sent me to the best possible classes offered," Batten said.

The award program is designed to encourage citizens to act and to honor them when they do.

“We give awards to citizens who really step up and either get involved by passive action where they record a license plate or call in when they notice something,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard explained. “We can’t be everywhere all of the time, especially with our diminishing resources.”

Bouchard said very action taken by citizens is important in helping police the communities within Oakland County. “It’s makes a huge difference,” Bouchard said. “It helps us solve crimes and helps us save lives.”