(photo: Griggs County)
COOPERSTOWN, N.D. (KFGO) – There’s another new sheriff in Griggs County.
The Griggs County Commission on Thursday appointed county coroner Rick Cushman as sheriff after the sheriff and his deputy both resigned.
Sheriff Michael Beaver and Deputy Tyler Rispa submitted their resignations after controversy surrounding an altered email and accusations from some commissioners and residents over months of overzealous policing by the sheriff’s office.
At a commission meeting requested by several members of the community, residents and commissioners said they were concerned that people were beginning to avoid Griggs County out of fear they would be pulled over for no reason.
It came to a head last month when Beaver sent an email requesting help from the Highway Patrol the night of Cooperstown’s annual “Smoker” fundraiser for the Mason’s Children’s Hospital on April 13. The Highway Patrol sent three troopers to patrol in and around Cooperstown.
At two separate commission meetings April 22 and May 6, the Sheriff’s Office, particularly Deputy Rispa, was accused of targeting people coming to the fundraiser. Beaver denied that was the case. He said he made the request because he was going to be gone, and simply needed a hand.
Initially, Beaver said he requested one trooper, but the Highway Patrol sent three.
The commission, concerned about the nature of the request, asked for a copy of the email.
Beaver submitted a redacted copy of the request that did not specify a number of troopers Beaver would like. It also had what appeared to be a missing portion of the email with the word, “redacted,” in its place.
Beaver said the email was redacted to protect information on a drug investigation.
The commission then requested a copy of the email from the Highway Patrol, which was presented at a meeting two weeks later.
That copy showed Beaver asked for at least troopers to help around Cooperstown specifically for the night of the smoker event due to the amount of people expected in town. It also mentioned suspicions that a bar in town was over-serving and serving after hours, something the copy Beaver submitted didn’t mention.
Beaver said he altered the email to take the focus off the event.
Beaver, who was appointed in January, is the fourth sheriff to resign from Griggs County in the last three years.
Amberly Michaelis resigned as sheriff in 2022. She cited no resources as a reason for leaving the job.
Beaver gave the commission a one-week notice when he submitted his resignation last week.
Cushman, who also owns the funeral home in Cooperstown, was appointed during a special meeting Thursday after Rispa resigned effective immediately.
KFGO News has left a message for comment from Cushman.
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