WKTV Staff
The Kentwood Police Department has welcomed its first female police captain. Captain Stephanie Morningstar took the oath of office on January 16 as she was promoted from sergeant to captain. Morningstar joins Captain Michael Bockheim, who was promoted to captain in October.
“We are delighted to celebrate the well-deserved promotion of Stephanie to captain,” Kentwood Police Chief Thomas Hillen said in supplied material. “Stephanie was one of my first promotions to sergeant after I stepped into the Chief’s role. I’ve seen her work hard and watched her come a long way in our Department. I’m confident she’ll continue to accomplish great things in her duties as captain.”
Morningstar graduated from Grand Valley State University in 1996 with a degree in Criminal Justice. She started her career in Canton Township before accepting a position with Kentwood in 2000.
During her time with Kentwood, Morningstar has served in the Patrol Unit and Detective Bureau. She has also served as a field training officer and an honor guard member. She and her husband have two teenage sons. Morningstar is also an adjunct professor at the police academy at Grand Rapids Community College.
In October 2017, the department also swore in Captain Bockheim. Bockheim is a 23-year veteran of the Kentwood Police Department, whose father is a retired officer of 30 years from the Grand Rapids Police Department. Bockheim has served in the Patrol Unit and Community Services Bureau; he has also served as a field training officer, canine officer, and Special Response Team member.
