UP sheriff suffered major injuries in weekend home accident

HOUGHTON, Mich. (AP) — Neighbors performed live-saving measures on a Michigan sheriff who was injured at his Upper Peninsula home over the weekend, authorities said Monday.

Houghton County Sheriff Brian McLean was in critical condition at a hospital in Marquette, his office said in a written statement.

No other details were released. But the sheriff’s office changed the profile photo on its Facebook page Monday night. It showed a badge with a black line across the middle, typically a symbol of mourning for a fallen police officer.

More than 150 people posted comments with most interpreting the badge as the worst news for McLean. Many referred to him by a nickname, “Slim.”

He suffered significant injuries during an accident Saturday night. Neighbors helped McLean before an emergency crew arrived, the sheriff’s office said.

McLean was elected in 1996 and has been reelected every four years.

“I’ve reached that age where I could say, ‘Well, I’ll collect my Social Security and just retire and walk away,’” he said last fall before winning another term. “But it’s nice to be part of something meaningful. And I still have the drive to keep going.”