NY K00985

Investigator Michael Theetge of the Chemung County Sheriff's Office is honored as a recipient of the Order of the Blue Heart Award from Wounded Blue, the only national organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement officers injured or disabled on the job

Theetge sustained a fractured skull and brain bleeding on March 29, 2024, while attempting to apprehend a suspect, requiring extended hospitalization and rehabilitation at a specialized medical facility

He has served over 14 years with the Chemung County Sheriff's Office, currently in the Criminal Investigation Division, and was slated for promotion to Sergeant in June 2024 before his injury

Theetge serves as commander of the Chemung County SWAT Team, president of the Deputy Sheriff's Union, and was the first drug recognition expert in his department with the highest grade point average in his training

He conducts threat assessments for schools and local businesses as a member of the New York State Threat Assessment Management System (TAMS) team and serves as a firearms and training instructor