NILES — Berrien County Sheriff L. Paul Bailey will be presented the Soaring Eagle Award and the Good Turn Award by the LaSalle Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Bailey will be awarded at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, at Lake Michigan College, Bertrand Crossing Campus, 1905 Foundation Drive in Niles.

These awards are presented to a person whose leadership in business, industry, government, education, social work or endeavors have contributed significantly to the growth and vitality to their community.

Bailey has served residents of Berrien County as a police officer for 39 years and was elected sheriff in 2001. During this time, he has sought to support the youth in the community by sponsoring the Exploring Post 602, Benton Harbor, BSA program. Law Enforcement Career Exploring is open to youth who are interested in learning more about careers in the field of law enforcement.

Nationally, more than 33,000 explorers and 8,425 adult volunteers participate in Law Enforcement Exploring. The program highlights include: the National Law Enforcement Exploring Leadership Academies, ride-alongs, career achievement awards, National Law Enforcement Exploring conferences, and scholarship opportunities.

Berrien County was one of Michigan’s founding communities to establish Boy Scouts of America as a youth development and leadership program. This 2019, BSA in Berrien County will commemorate the past and inspire future generations to become good citizens, connect with, and serve their communities.

LaSalle Council provides the nation’s foremost youth program for character development and values-based leadership training to more than 5,500 youth from kindergarten through high school in eight counties across northern Indiana and southwest lower Michigan. More than 2,000 adult volunteers deliver and support Scouting’s impactful programs to both boys and girls. For more information, visit lasallecouncilbsa.org