January 27, 2003

Lansing - The Michigan State Police Board of Awards is pleased to announce that Detective Sergeant Jack H. VanderWal has been awarded the Michigan State Police Meritorious Service Award. He is credited for diligence and perseverance under uncommon circumstances and for going beyond what is typically expected of law enforcement officers.

On November 17, 1981, the body of Bess C. Lewis was found in her home after she had been sexually assaulted and killed. Although evidence was recovered at the scene, authorities were not able to connect any suspects to the crime.

In 1994, VanderWal was assigned to re-examine the case using advanced DNA techniques. During the process of re-contacting, re-interviewing and obtaining DNA samples, VanderWal was able to eliminate the original 21suspects. Further investigation lead to the elimination of 18 additional suspects. Using the profile developed in 1981, VanderWal was then able to identify one more suspect.

Attempts to obtain DNA samples lead to the suspect fleeing from authorities three times. VanderWal pursued the suspect though Florida and South Carolina until he returned to Michigan where he was arrested and a DNA sample was obtained. The suspect’s sample was matched to the DNA evidence collected from the scene in 1981, and the suspect was arrested for the murder of Lewis.

In issuing the award, the Michigan State Police Board of Awards recognizes that VanderWal went above and beyond what is expected from a field detective and demonstrated dedication and perseverance in solving a 21-year-old homicide.

VanderWal joined the department in 1978, and was a graduate of the 93^rd Trooper Recruit School. After serving at the White Pigeon, Detroit and Rockford posts, VanderWal was promoted from trooper to sergeant and transferred to the Newaygo Post. In 1989, he was reassigned to the Ionia Post as a detective sergeant. VanderWal was working at the Sixth District Headquarters, in Grand Rapids before retiring for the department in December of 2002. A native of Grand Rapids, VanderWal currently lives in Rockford.

Read more press releases from the Michigan State Police.