Some police officers and medics from South Haven have been honored by the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department for their actions during a standoff last month.

Speaking to the South Haven City Council this week, Van Buren County Undersheriff Casey Davis said the county SWAT team was called out to a home in the 28,000 block of County Road 388 on July 4 after officers responding to a call about a wanted fugitive had a pipe bomb thrown at them by the suspect. Once SWAT arrived, the suspect threatened to kill all the police present and threw more pipe bombs.

Davis said it took the use of tear gas and a “less-lethal shotgun” to get the suspect into custody. He said the South Haven Police Department’s Sergeant Pat Carlotto and Officer Kevin Wildy, along with SHAES medics Rex Haner and Shawn Smith, all put themselves into harm’s way to bring an end to the situation.

“Being a part of this situation and being the team leader for the SWAT team, it was probably one of the worst calls that I’ve been a part of,” Davis said. “The amount of heroism that these guys displayed was incredible. They were professional, they came up with a plan, they executed that plan, and ultimately, I believe that not only saved a lot of officers lives, but we were able to use the less lethal in order to take him into custody and he didn’t lose his life.”

All four of the honored responders are members of the Van Buren County SWAT team. Davis said they “looked danger in the face” by getting within the blast zone of another bomb should one have been thrown.

The four were given commendations by the sheriff’s department at Monday’s meeting. Mayor Annie Brown said the community sends its heartfelt gratitude to the group for helping to protect the people of South Haven.