The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has honored a longtime assistant prosecutor as he heads into retirement.
Jerry Vigansky started working for the prosecutor’s office in the fall of 1990, serving as an intern, and was later hired full-time as an assistant prosecutor after passing the bar. Speaking at a meeting this week, county board chair Mac Elliott said Vigansky then started a 35-year career of public service that had many highlights.
“Throughout his distinguished career, Jerry handled thousands of cases ranging from local ordinances to misdemeanors to serious felonies, including nearly 100 jury trials,” Elliott said. “Notably, he prosecuted 11 first degree murder cases, including the 1993 Tracy Martin case, which marked the first time DNA evidence was introduced at trial in Berrien County.”
Vigansky grew up in Bridgman, graduating from Bridgman High School and later graduating from Hope College and Valparaiso University with a law degree. During his tenure, Vigansky contributed to the Berrien County Drug Court for several years and has served as the senior attorney in the Niles office for the past decade. He retires at the end of this year.
The board on Thursday approved an honorary resolution thanking Vigansky for his service.
Speaking to the board, Vigansky thanked his family, saying it’s been an honor to serve and that his career has been rewarding.
