Fire Marshal Discuss Arson Investigation that Resulted in Award

Ferndale Patch caught up with .

The incident took place on July 8, 2009. He received a citizen's award from the Oakland County Sheriff's department for the work he and Unified Investigations Fire Investigator Michael Roarty did in uncovering the crime.

This is what he had to say:

The fire was on Garfield. A man and a woman lived there. The guy had kicked the gal -- Michelle Cannon -- out the day before. She came back, piled his clothes on the bed and set them on fire. We had a witness across the street see her leaving the house shortly before the fire. Even with the witness, and her eventual confession, the case went to court and a jury decided her fate.

The fire resulted in about $80,000 damages.

She was found guilty of arson of a dwelling house and she was sentenced to 20 months to 20 years in prison.  

The award also cited the numerous arson cases I have worked on with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Fire Investigation Unit resulting in successful convictions. I was very honored to receive the award and to have been given this opportunity to serve the citizens of Ferndale as their Fire Marshal.

Without the support of the Mayor and Council, the Fire Chief and the men I work with, I could not be as successful as I have been. We have worked with the Oakland County Fire Investigation Unit for years and it has proven to be a successful relationship. It takes teamwork to investigate and prosecute these arsons. The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office is also an integral part of that team. Their wiliness to aggressively prosecute arson cases puts Oakland County above any others in the state.

Thanks to everyone for their support and confidence. I was very honored to get this award.