Lieutenant Chris Young Receives 2026 Harley Simmons Award

Sheriff Department Employee wins Award

June 9, 2026

Press Release

The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce that Lieutenant Chris Young has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Harley Simmons Award, presented annually by the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce’s Silent Observer Committee.

The Harley Simmons Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the safety and security of residents in the Battle Creek area through crime-reduction efforts, public-safety initiatives, and support for crime-prevention programs. The award was established in 1993 in memory of Harley Simmons, a longtime community leader, Silent Observer Committee member, and advocate for public safety.

Lt. Young was honored for his leadership of a transformative school safety initiative that has strengthened emergency response capabilities and enhanced security for students, staff, and first responders throughout Calhoun County.

Over the past four years, Lt. Young has led a $1.7 million effort to improve school safety across the county. Through his vision and coordination, 48 school buildings are now connected to an advanced safety system that integrates hundreds of newly installed cameras with thousands of existing ones into a unified network. The system provides law enforcement and emergency responders with rapid, real-time access to critical information during emergencies.

The project required extensive collaboration with 12 school districts and multiple technology partners. Lt. Young worked closely with school leaders to build trusted partnerships, develop agreements, and ensure seamless implementation of the system across the county.

“Chris has dedicated countless hours to making our schools safer and strengthening partnerships between education and public safety,” said Sheriff Steve Hinkley. “His work has created lasting improvements that will benefit students, educators, families, and first responders for years to come. This recognition is well deserved.”

According to the Silent Observer Committee, Lt. Young’s efforts embody the mission of Silent Observer by advancing proactive crime prevention, increasing situational awareness, and fostering meaningful collaboration between community partners and law enforcement.

The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office congratulates Lt. Young on this prestigious honor and thanks him for his continued dedication to serving and protecting the residents of Calhoun County.