Breaking & Entering / Water Rescue

• Date and Time of Incident: November 7, 2025 / 10:08 PM
• Type of Incident: Breaking & Entering / Water Rescue
• Location of Incident: Paw Paw River & N Watervliet Rd, Watervliet Twp.
• Agencies Involved: Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Medic 1 Ambulance, Watervliet Police Department, Coloma Twp Police Department

Narrative:
Late in the evening of November 7, Berrien County Dispatch received multiple 911 calls from the 5200 block of N. Watervliet Road in Watervliet Township. Callers reported that an adult male appeared to be in a manic state and had jumped out of a residence window. Additional callers stated that the same, visibly injured individual had forced his way into another residence before fleeing through the yard.

Responding officers located the 43-year-old male standing in waist-deep water in the Paw Paw River, near the N. Watervliet Road bridge. The individual was highly agitated, striking the water with a stick while repeatedly shouting for help. Despite officers’ verbal instructions, he was unable to follow any self-rescue directions.

A Berrien County Sheriff’s Deputy and a Michigan State Police Trooper entered the river and took physical control of the subject, who remained combative throughout the encounter.

With coordinated efforts, the officers successfully removed the individual from the water and secured him onto an ambulance stretcher. He was transported to Corewell Health – St. Joseph for medical evaluation and treatment.

A police report has been forwarded to the Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office for review of potential charges related to the subject’s actions prior to entering the river.

The subject is identified as a 43-year-old male from Edwardsburg, Michigan. His name will be released if charges are authorized by the Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office.