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Following an accident over the weekend, Houghton County Sheriff Brian McLean died Monday night at approximately 8:00 PM. He had been on life support after being airlifted to UP Health Systems – Marquette.
The sheriff’s department has not provided many details on the nature of the accident, but McLean’s injuries were serious enough that medical aid had to be rendered by neighbors until EMS made it to his home.
In a release announcing the death, Undersheriff Kevin Coppo said, “The sudden and tragic loss of this man who was both a leader and a friend, is hard to process. Our hearts go out to his family during this truly difficult time.”
McLean had a long, distinguished career in area law enforcement. He was first elected sheriff in 1996, the longest tenure in the entire state. The Michigan Sheriff’s Association directory says McLean graduated from Northern Michigan University Regional Police Academy in 1978. He served on the Houghton City Police Department before moving to the County Sheriff’s Office in 1982.
