Bryan Muir Selected as Kent County's Next Sheriff

KENT COUNTY - Following last month's retirement announcement of Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young, the Kent County Sheriff Appointment Committee has unanimously voted to appoint Undersheriff Bryan Muir to serve as the next sheriff of Kent County.

Muir will officially assume the role on Oct. 9, 2026, when Sheriff LaJoye-Young retires after decades of service.

Muir has served with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office since 2001. Over the course of his career, he has held assignments and leadership roles in road patrol, the Investigative Division, Support Services, the TAC Team, as TAC Team commander, and as supervisor of the Underwater Search and Recovery Team.

He has also risen through the ranks as sergeant, lieutenant, captain, chief deputy of law enforcement operations and undersheriff. In 2016, Muir was selected by his peers as Law Enforcement Deputy of the Year.

Muir holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Grand Valley State University and a master’s degree in public administration. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Michigan State University School of Staff and Command, Leadership Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Leadership Institute.

Muir said he is grateful for the opportunity and excited to take on the new role. He said he looks forward to continuing to serve the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office and the residents of Kent County as sheriff.