By By MICHAEL C. GUILMETTE JR. / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Noting quick thinking and action during the Aug. 20 shooting at the Oak Dairy Party Store, Berrien County Sheriff L. Paul Bailey recognized two men for their response to the incident.
Mark Adams and Deputy Jason Haskins, both in attendance at the Niles Charter Township meeting, each received certificates of recognition Monday evening in front of the board. Adams, who was a customer at the State Line Road store, moved all the store occupants to the back of the building once the shooting occurred. He then ran out into the parking lot to check on his wife, and once there, he performed first aid on the shooting victim and attempted to stop the bleeding.
"[Adams] went above and beyond to make sure everyone was safe," Bailey said. "You put yourself in harm's way with the suspect still being there to render aid to that person."
The victim, Renell Exum of South Bend, Ind., was shot and killed in the incident, allegedly by Louis Lee Clark, also of South Bend. Clark was arrested at the scene and was charged with open murder, felony firearm and armed robbery.
Haskins, who was on duty that evening, responded to the shooting. He secured the scene and also rendered aid to Exum.
"Deputy Haskins, my hat goes off to you for your dedication, your hard work, for going into that scene and putting yourself in harm's way to make sure that the victim was taken care of in a short period of time," Bailey said.
Both men were humble about their actions that evening.
"It's easy when you got good leaders," Haskins said. "With good leaders like the sheriff and Sgt. Miller, it's easy."
Addressing Haskins, Adams thanked him as well for his actions.
"You really made me feel comfortable and made me feel everything was going to be OK," Adams said. "You were very professional . . . you were very focused on what you were doing, and I appreciate that because I didn't know what I was doing."
Also during the meeting, the board approved four budget resolutions to set millage levies for the upcoming fiscal year. For the general fund, the board passed .8732 mills to generate $277,231, and for fire operation and maintenance, the board levied 2.5 mills, totaling $739,918. Following was a resolution for fire capital improvements requesting 1 mill to generate $295,967, and the final resolution was a levy for street lights to the amount of $32,873.
The board also appointed Dave Ellis to the Building Board of Appeals, and they approved a Sept. 29 fireworks display at Brandywine High School as part of their Homecoming celebrations.