GRIGGS COUNTY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Griggs County has a new sheriff following the resignation of Sheriff Michael Beaver and Deputy Tyler Rispa amid controversy.

Amberly Michaelis has been appointed to be the new Griggs County Sheriff.

The resignations of Beaver and Rispa came after months of tension involving accusations of overzealous policing by the sheriff’s office. The situation escalated following an incident at Cooperstown’s annual “Smoker” fundraiser for the Mason’s Children’s Hospital on April 13, where the sheriff’s office requested assistance from the Highway Patrol.

Beaver had initially requested help from the Highway Patrol due to his expected absence and concerns over a large turnout. He claimed to have requested only one trooper, but three were sent, which led to accusations that the sheriff’s office was targeting attendees of the fundraiser. Beaver denied these claims.

The controversy intensified when the commission asked Beaver for a copy of the email request he sent to the Highway Patrol. Beaver provided a redacted email that did not specify the number of troopers requested and included a portion marked as “redacted,” citing the need to protect information related to a drug investigation.

However, the Highway Patrol later provided the commission with the original email, which revealed Beaver had asked for at least three troopers specifically for the night of the fundraiser. The unredacted email also mentioned suspicions of a bar in town over-serving and serving alcohol after hours, details not included in the version Beaver submitted to the commission. Beaver admitted to altering the email to shift focus away from the event.

Residents and commissioners expressed concerns that the aggressive policing tactics were causing people to avoid the county. These issues were addressed in commission meetings on April 22 and May 6, leading to the resignations.

Beaver, who had been appointed in January, is the fourth sheriff to resign from Griggs County in the past three years. His predecessor, Amberly Michaelis, resigned in 2022, but has agreed to become the sheriff of Griggs County once again.