michigan trooper • 1715 abbey road, suite b -...

Tpr. Nate Johnson1st District Representative

Lansing Tpr.RobSchwalmBrighton Tpr.MichaelSuraIthaca Tpr.MichaelZeilingerCorunna Tpr.TimMurphyJackson Tpr.PeteSmithAdrian Tpr.BillStrouseJonesville Tpr.KeithPillarCollinsCtr. D/Sgt.BillEberhardtTraining/Lab S/Sgt.JanJohnson

MICHIGANTROOPER•1715AbbeyRoad,SuiteB•EastLansing,MI 48823Telephone:(517)336-7782•Facsimile:(517)336-8997•Website:www.mspta.net

Know your rights . . . protect your rights!

PresidentD/Sgt. Christopher Luty

Vice PresidentD/Sgt. Duane Hickok

Secretary/TreasurerSgt. Richard Hale

Tpr. Ray Pechman2nd District North Representative

MetroNorth Tpr.BryanBuchanRichmond Tpr.JayMorningstarYpsilanti Tpr.JosephBrodeurGroveland Tpr.TrevorRadke

Tpr. Craig MacDonald2nd District South Representative

MetroSouth Tpr.JonBowermanMonroe Tpr.HermanBrownDetroit(d) Tpr.CraigTuerDetroit(a) Tpr.MarcusWiseDetroit(m) Tpr.GaryMelvinGaming D/Tpr.ScottSingletonLab S/Sgt.TimKetvirtisSECID D/Sgt.BillTerrySECID D/Sgt.KenDilg

Tpr. Joe Cavanaugh3rd District Representative

BayCity Tpr.JayKurowskiEastTawas Tpr.GreggKopkauBadAxe Tpr.BrianMcCombSandusky Tpr.DaleBrywigFlint Tpr.DaveStokesWestBranch Tpr.PaulFrechetteBridgeport Tpr.JoshuaCoulterLapeer Tpr.CevinBrownCaro Tpr.AmyHofmeisterGladwin Tpr.EverettRenaudLab S/Sgt.RyanLarrisonTpr. Tim Permoda

5th District RepresentativePawPaw Tpr.MichaelMcDonaldWhitePigeon Tpr.TimWagnerNiles Tpr.TimThompsonBridgman Tpr.SteveVrablicWayland Tpr.KellieSummerhaysBattleCreek Tpr.AdamStarkweatherHastings Tpr.KellyLinebaughColdwater Tpr.ToddPrice

Tpr. Scott Wilber6th District Representative

Rockford Sgt.TomDravesReedCity Tpr.PaulStoneMt.Pleasant Tpr.JamesCiochettoGrandHaven Sgt.JohnTillmanNewaygo Tpr.PaulCampbellHart Tpr.SammySeymourLakeview Tpr.NormaMaklIonia Tpr.JamesYeagerLab S/Sgt.ShawnBaker

Tpr. John Grimshaw7th District Representative

TraverseCity Tpr.BertRichardsCheboygan Tpr.RonBeckettGaylord Tpr.ChrisBeltAlpena Tpr.MichaelLorenzHoughtonLake Tpr.HaroldTerryCadillac Tpr.RickPearsonManistee Tpr.WesSmithPetoskey Tpr.JamesArmstrongKalkaska Tpr.StephenPorterRogersCity Tpr.StevenBullockLab S/Sgt.JoeStoddard

Tpr. Jerry Mazurek8th District Representative

Negaunee Tpr.JonahBonovetzNewberry Tpr.EricJohnsonSt.Ignace Tpr.MichaelPoliskiManistique Tpr.EricGravelleGladstone Tpr.DaveCowenIronMountain Tpr.DougColeWakefield Tpr.GlennGauthierL’Anse Tpr.SteveLanctotStephenson Tpr.JosephRacicotCalumet Tpr.SteveLanctotMunising Tpr.RichColeIronRiver Tpr.DougWeesnerSaultSte.Marie Sgt.FrankKeckLab S/Sgt.JayPeterson

Region 2(Representing Districts 2, 3, 7, and 8)

Sgt.Rep: Sgt.LorneHartwigD/Sgt.Rep: D/Sgt.MitchellStevens

General CounselLawrence P. Schneider, Esq.

Special thanks for assistance from Legal Assistant Kristine M. Gillengerten

Labor CounselMs. Kathleen Boyle, Esq.

White, Schneider, Young & Chiodini, P.C.

Associate Membership(Retiree Committee)DianeGarrison(Ret.)*JohnBoggs(Ret.)GordonGotts(Ret.)AlanShaw(Ret.)RogerWarner(Ret.)Sgt.LorneHartwigSgt.DennisHarrisD/Sgt.ChrisLuty

Constitution & BylawsTpr.ScottWilber*D/Sgt.DuaneHickokTpr.RayPechman

Contract Bargaining TeamD/Sgt.ChrisLuty*Tpr.JoeCavanaughSgt.DickHaleD/Sgt.DuaneHickokTpr.JerryMazurekTpr.ScottWilber

Discipline AdvocatesD/Sgt.ChrisLuty*Tpr.JoeCavanaughSgt.DennisHarrisTpr.MichaelMoormanTpr.TimPermodaD/Sgt.MitchellStevensTpr.ScottWilber

Drug & Alcohol TestingD/Sgt.MitchellStevens*Tpr.NateJohnsonMr.LarrySchneider,Esq.

ElectionsTpr.RayPechman,Co-ChairSgt.DennisHarrisTpr.SteveSkrbecD/Sgt.MitchellStevensTpr.ScottWilber

Emergency Telephone Service CommitteeD/Sgt.ChrisLuty

FinanceSgt.RichardHale*Tpr.JohnGrimshawSgt.DennisHarrisD/Sgt.DuaneHickokD/Sgt.MitchellStevens

GrievanceD/Sgt.DuaneHickok*S/Sgt.AllanAveryTpr.JoeCavanaughD/Sgt.BillEberhardtTpr.MikeFinkSgt.DennisHarrisTpr.AmyHofmeisterTpr.HeatherJohnstonTpr.JayKurowskiTpr.JimMcRaeTpr.ScottNicholsD/Sgt.JayPoupardTpr.TrevorRadkeMr.LarrySchneider,Esq.Tpr.KellieSummerhaysTpr.MikeSuraD/Tpr.BobTomassiD/Sgt.SallyWolter

MCOLESD/Sgt.ChrisLuty

PublicationsSgt.JohnFaccio, EditorInChiefTpr.YvonneBrantleyTpr.EricByerlyTpr.CarissaHoranTpr.LisaLucioTpr.SteveVrablicPatStrzalkowski,AssociationStaff

Sergeants-At-ArmsSgt.DaleGoodrich*Tpr.MichaelPoliski

SafetyTpr.JerryMazurek*Tpr.JoeCavanaughD/Sgt.MitchellStevens

State Police Retirement BoardSgt.RichardHale

Transfer Review BoardTpr.TimPermodaTpr.ScottWilber

Uniform EquipmentTpr.CraigMacDonald*Tpr.RickDoehringTpr.JohnGrimshaw

WebsiteD/Sgt.MitchellStevens*Sgt.GeraldBadgettTpr.MikeDecastroTpr.BenGonzalezTpr.EricHofmeister

*Designates Chair or Lead Member

Region 1(Representing Districts 1, 5, and 6)

Sgt.Rep: Sgt.DennisHarrisD/Sgt.Rep: D/Sgt.BillEberhardt

Office Manager – Pat Strzalkowski

▪ September/October2010 ▪ 1

PublishedbytheMichiganStatePoliceTroopersAssociation

OntheCover

Editor-in-Chief ........................JohnFaccioLayout/Typesetting................PatStrzalkowskiCoverDesign...........................CherieMorehouseSubmissionE-mail..................troopereditor@gmail.com

MSPChaplains’News

By: Chaplain Andrew Jackson.............................................6

By: Chaplain Bill Sanders....................................................6

7thAnnualMSTAFGolfClassic.........................................8

78thRecruitSchoolHolds40YearReunion

By: Tpr. Rick Harrington (Ret.)....................................... 11

WeAreFamily

By: Sgt. Therese Cremonte ..................................................12

BuildingaRampfor“Thunder”

By: Tpr. Carissa Horan .....................................................17

FacingtheChallenge!

By: Tprs. Jerry Mazurek...................................................18

ForaFriendIDidn’tKnow

By: Sgt. Doc Halliday ........................................................25

FromthePresident’sDesk...............................................................2VicePresident’sView.......................................................................3Counsel’sCorner................................................................................4BoardofAwards..............................................................................19

RegisterofDeeds............................................................................23InMemoryofOurRetirees...........................................................24FinalCall...........................................................................................26EndofWatch......................................................InsideBackCover

Editorial PolicyTheMichigan Trooperistheofficialpublicationof theMichiganStatePoliceTroopersAssociation.Opinionsexpressedinthispublicationdonotnecessarilyrepresent

thoseof theMSPTA.Articlesrepresenttheopinionsof theauthor.Anysimilaritybetweenthepeopleandplacesinthefictionandsemi-fictionof articlesprinted,andrealpeopleandplacesispurelycoincidental.

Allrights in letterstotheMichigan Trooperwillbetreatedasunconditionallyassignedforpublicationandcopyrightpurposes;assubjecttotheMichigan Trooper’sunrestrictedrighttoeditandtocommenteditorially.Noresponsibilitiescanbeassumedforunsolicitedmaterials.

Lettersorarticlesmustbeaccompaniedby thewriter’s truenameandaddress.Dueto legal requirementsand thepotentialfinancial liability for libel imposedupontheMichiganStatePoliceTroopersAssociation,theEditorof theMichigan Trooperreservestheabsoluterighttoselect,edit,andrejectallarticlesforpublication.Whenanarticleisselectedforpublication,writersareassuredof freedomof expressionwithinnecessarylimitsof goodtaste,availablespace,andlegalrequirements.

TheMichigan Trooperispublishedbi-monthlybytheMichiganStatePoliceTroopersAssociation.ForinformationaboutsecuringpermissiontoreprintMichigan Trooperarticles,pleaseaddressinquiriestotheEditor.

Vol. 46, No. 5 September/October 2010MAGAZINE

Photo of the Goodyear Blimp taken at Michigan International Speedway in August, 2010. (Photo courtesy of Tpr. Lisa Lucio, 2nd District HST.)

InthisIssue

Departments

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17

8

13

18

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2 ▪ Michigan Trooper ▪

From the President’s Desk

The2010mid-termelectionshavecomeandgone inMichigan.Repub-licans swept the statewide races, re-versing the Democratic hold on thestateHouseof Representatives.

RepublicansretainedthestateSen-ate, and as predicted by the polls,Republican Rick Snyder easily beatDemocrat Virg Bernero to succeedJennifer Granholm as governor of Michigan. The considerable and his-toric gains by Michigan Republicansin this year’s elections were decidedbyjust45percentof Michigan’sreg-istered voters, but public policy putinto action by our new governmentwill have far-reaching effects for allcitizensof ourstate.

Traditionally, Republicans havebeenverysupportiveof publicsafetyas a core function of government.Unfortunately, the economic woesthathaveplaguedthisstateforseveralyearshaveforcedcutstolawenforce-ment in general. Michigan now has2,639fewerpoliceofficersthanitdidin2000.MSPhas500fewertroopersthan it needs to accomplish its mis-sion, according to a Central Michi-gan University study. Reductions incore public services were taken to anewlevelrecentlyinPontiac,whereamemo of understanding was signedbycityofficials thatwilldisband theentire Pontiac Police Department.ForPontiacpoliceofficers,theremay

be some hope. On November 4th,thePontiacCityCouncilunanimouslyapproved a resolution in support of maintaining the police department.TheOakland Press reportedthatsomeOakland County commissioners willcarry the council resolution to theOaklandCountyBoardof Commis-sioners when the memo, calling forthe city’s public safety to be handedovertoOaklandCounty,isscheduledforavote.Whilestatepolicetroopershave been assigned in recent yearsto assist Pontiac officers, no outsideagencyshouldbemorethanabridgetosustainabilityforlocallawenforce-ment.

Thereisnoquestionaboutthevitalrole served by the MSP crime labs.Thisisespeciallytrueforareaslackingadequateresourceslikethenorthern-most regionsof the state, and cash-strappedcitieslikePontiacandFlint.Thesecitiesareoverwhelmedbytheirlevelof seriouscrime.Similarly,thereshouldbenoquestionthatuniformedtroopersarethemostefficientandef-fective crime fighting tool Michiganpossesses. Recent Uniformed CrimeReporting statistics reflect this mea-sureof MSPsuccess;postsinplaceslikeYpsilantiandJacksonareleadingtheircountiesincrimeclearancerates.InYpsilanti,wherecityandtownshipofficials are considering a combinedpolice authority, cost is only oneissue.Officialsthereciteperformancemeasures,suchasclearancerates,asafactorinthedecisionmaking.

Evenwithprovenvalue,MSPhasbeen weighed down in certain sec-tors. Consider suggestions from theMackinac Center for Public Policy,a research and educational instituteheadquartered in Midland. In 2004,theirRecommendations to Strengthen Civil Society and Balance Michigan’s State Bud-get publication proposed eliminatingstate police road patrol and devolv-ing it to local sheriffs. They claimedit would save the state 65 milliondollars.TheMackinawCenterpubli-

cation agrees that theMSPprovidesmany law enforcement services thatlocalandcountyagenciescannot. Inthe same report, they suggest thattheuniformedpoliceservicesof ouragency do nothing but patrol high-waysandwritetraffictickets.Thisisasimplisticanddangerousassumption,comingfromathinktankthatclaimstoprovideincisiveandaccurateinfor-mationonpolicy issues– inpromo-tion of freedom and a civil society.A look at the Seven Principles of SoundPublicPolicy,presentedtotheEconomic Club of Detroit in 2001by then-president of the MackinawCenterLawrenceW.Reed,completestheconundrum.Callingthemasolidfoundation for legislators seekingstronger,freer,moreprosperous,andbetter-governedpeople,theprinciplesincludelessonsinthepowerof incen-tives, the freedom to earn differentlevelsof income,andtheimportanceof libertyinallowingjustaboutevery-thingelse in life tohappen.Think–hirewellqualifiedtroopers,paythemadecentwage,thenreceiveameasure-ablelevelof libertyasanoutcomeof the most effective law enforcement.

Governor-elect Rick Snyder hassaidthathewantstowringinefficien-ciesoutof statespendingandensurevaluebased returns to the taxpayers.TherecouldnotbeamorewelcomeattitudefortheMichiganStatePoliceandtheMSPTA.Mr.Snyderhasnotbeen shy about sharinghis prioritieswith law enforcement leaders. In anOctober 12, 2010GateHouseNewsServicearticle,Mr.Snydersaid,“Pub-licsafetyisthenumberoneresponsi-bilityof government.Keepingpeoplesafe with adequately funded and ef-ficiently run police departments isessential tomakingMichiganaplacewherefamilieschoosetostay.”

Wewelcomeand look forward toourcontinuedroleasthenumberonepriority for government funding inthestateof Michigan.■

D/Sgt. Christopher Luty


Vice President’s View

D/Sgt. Duane Hickok

Election day is upon us, for theGovernor’s Office, the House andSenate,andpositionsontheMSPTAExecutive Board. Next year, with anewgovernorandincomingfreshmanlegislators, only time will tell whatdirections the changeover will takeus. Right now things are looking uparoundthedepartment,andwehopethetrendwillcontinue.Afterwhatwehave faced for the last several years,thisupturnisgoodnews.

Thesearechallengingtimeswelivein.Aquickcheckof thepulseleavesnodoubtaboutit.Budgetafterbudget,boththestate’sanddepartment’s,havebeennolessthanhorrible.

We have endured an extendedrecessionthatrivalsnootherrecessionthat I have experienced. As a directresult,ournumbershavedwindledtoarecordlow.Tomakemattersworse,wethenenduredthelayoff of 100of ournewestmembers.

Health care costs have continuedtoriseatanunprecedentedrate.Theeasyfixwastocutbenefitsandraiseemployee premium share. Does thatreallyhelpinthelongrun?

It feels almost like we have beeninthemidstof aperfectstormherein the state of Michigan. Despitethese challenges, we have been abletoaccomplishseveralgoalsandstaveoff furtherlayoffs.

Our pay raises are somewhatmeager,buttheyarepayraises.Whatalsohelpsisthattherateof inflationwasnegativein2009at–.4%.Sofar,in 2010, it has held at less than 2%withaprojectedratehoveringaround1% well into 2011. That meansminimal erosionof our raises in thenear future. Compare that to theinflationratesof almost2.8%in2007and3.8%in2008.

From where I stand, it looks likethings are getting better, and thestormisbeginningtosubside.Wehitthebottomof thevalleyandweareonourwaybackupthehill.Climbinguphill is always harder, but that iswhereIwanttobe.Staypositiveandsafe.■

Wewereabletonegotiateandratifyacontractwithtangiblebenefitstoourmembers.Isthisthegreatestcontractwehaveeverseen?No,it isnot,butconsideringthecircumstances,whichwere well beyond our control, thiscontractisabenefittous.

Asaresultof ourefforts,throughseveral means, we have restored thelegislature’sconfidenceinus.Asmuchas we may dislike accruing bankedleavetime,wedidbenefitfromitbygettingtheattentionof thelegislaturewhen we showed, by accepting it,we were willing to sacrifice. In myhumbleopinionthatconfidencegoesalongway.

Duringbargaining, tosavemoneyand structurally change our healthcare package, we chose a somewhatmoredifficultcoursetheneverbefore.Atotallynewhealthcareoptionwassought out, researched, discussed,bargained for and adopted, realizingsavings for both the state and ourmemberswhochoosethatoption.

Whenthiseditionof theTrooperispublished,thelasttenlaidoff troopersshouldhavereceivedtheiropportunitytoreturntothedepartmentandonceagainproudlywear theuniform.Ontop of that, we are told we will berunning a recruit school by the endof theyear.

When this edition of the Trooper is published,the last ten laid off troopers should havereceived their opportunity to return to thedepartment and once again proudly wear theuniform. On top of that, we are told we will berunning a recruit school by the end of the year.

“ “


Counsel’s Corner

The Power of One

D/Sgt.VirgilWashingtonworkedfor the Department of State Policefor 17 distinguished and decoratedyears. He has never met nor has hebeen examined by a family practi-tioner physician in Brighton namedDr. David Mika, D.O. Before May29,2010,WashingtonhadneverevenheardofMika.However the impactthat Mika has had on Washington’slifeisasprofoundasthecareer-end-ing line of duty injury Washingtonsustainedayearearlier.OnApril27,2009,whileengaged

in mandatory MSP defensive tacticstraining,Washingtonsustainedase-vere injury tohisneck.Hereportedthe injury, he completed the ap-propriatepaperwork,andsoughtim-mediatetreatmentatahospitalemer-gency room. He was subsequentlydiagnosed with four herniated discsinhisneck.Onlyonepersonhaseversuggestedthatthosefourdiscswerealready herniated when Washingtonreportedfortrainingthatday–DavidMika, D.O. Yet even Dr. Mika hasbackedoffofthatclaim.Sortof.

D/Sgt.Washingtonworkedafewmoredaysof lightdutyafterhis in-jury, but his last day of work for

the department was less than threemonths later. The severe injury thatoccurredinthelineofdutyonApril27, 2009, prematurely ended Wash-ington’s law enforcement career. Ithas also imposed many physical re-strictions on his daily activities andeffectivelyendedhisabilitytoengageinhisotheravocation:beinganair-planepilot.

When it became evident that D/Sgt.Washingtonwouldneverbeabletoreturntofullduty,hewasinstruct-edbytheDepartmentofStatePoliceto apply for a duty-disability retire-ment.TheOfficeofRetirementSer-vicesarrangedtohaveD/Sgt.Wash-ington’smedicalrecordsreviewedby,of all persons, a family practitioner.This is where Dr. Mika comes in.He was selected as the physician toreview the records. After reviewingthose records, here is what familypractitioner Mika (who consistentlyreferstoD/Sgt.Washingtonas“Mr.Washington” in his report) initiallyhadtosay:

. . . [He] injured his cervicalandthoracicspinesatworkonApril 27, 2009. However, themedicalevidenceshowsthathehadpre-existingneckandbackproblemspriortohisworkplaceaccident. CT scans from Au-gust4,2009,forexample,showthat he already suffered from . . .discherniationsofhiscer-vicalspine....Themedicalevi-denceshowsthathisincapacitydidnotoccurduetoapersonalinjury thatoccurredas the . . .result of the performance ofhisduties.Thusly,heisnoteli-giblefordutydisabilitybenefits.[Emphasisadded.]

It isdifficulttofollowDr.Mika’slogic, since the CT scans were tak-

en four months after the injury oc-curred.GivingDr.Mika thebenefitofthedoubt,itseemedquiteobviousthathehadthemistakenbeliefwhenhewrotehisoriginalreportthattheCT scans were taken before the in-jury. In fact, they were taken fourmonthsaftertheinjury.Themedicalandeyewitnessevidenceunquestion-ablyestablishedthatWashingtonsus-tained thepersonal injuryas the re-sultoftheperformanceofhisdutiesonApril27,2009.TheCTscantakenfour months after the injury merelyconfirmedthis.TheOfficeofRetirementServices

(ORS)askedDr.Mikatoreviewhisstatementagain,notingthisinconsis-tency.MostpersonsfamiliarwiththecasefiguredthatMikawouldsimplycorrecthiserrorandconclude,justasthe workers’ compensation doctorsdid,thatWashington’sdisabilitywasindeed “duty-related.” Rather thanchange his opinion, however, Dr.MikaduginandwenttogreatlengthstodenyD/Sgt.Washingtontheduty-disability pension benefits to whichheisentitled.HereiswhatDr.Mikaadded tohis report thesecond timearound in analyzing Washington’sneckinjury:

. . . It isnoted thatMr.Wash-ingtonservedfouryearsintheUSMarineCorp[20yearsear-lier]andwasinvolvedinatleastone altercation where he suf-fered severe nose injuries. Hewasinvolvedinamotorvehicleaccident in 2002 [8 years ear-lier] thatcauseda [lower]backinjury. Even though he wasasymptomaticuntilApril2009,he had pre-existing changesthat weakened the spine andpre-disposedhimtothehernia-tions.Dutydisabilitycannotbeestablished.[Emphasisadded.]

Lawrence P. SchneiderMSPTA General Counsel


Dr.Mika’sstatementisanalogoustostatingthatapoliceofficerwhoisshotinthelineofdutyandbleedstodeath is not really killed in the lineof duty because the officerwas tak-ingaspirinandthereforemore“pre-disposed”tobleeding.

Did Dr. Mika go out of his wayto make sure that D/Sgt. Washing-tonwouldnotreceiveaduty-disabil-itypension?Thereadermustbe thejudge. Where did he come up withthenotionthatapoliceofficerwhois“predisposed”toaconditioncannothaveadutyrelateddisabilityifheorshesustainsatraumaticinjuryinthelineofduty?

Upon receipt of Mika’s secondreport, the ORS was requested toadministrativelycorrect the injusticeand grant duty-disability benefits toWashington based on the uncontra-dictedevidencethatD/Sgt.Washing-ton’sdisabilitywasduty-related.Thatrequestwasdeclined.Then,ORSwasrequestedtoputthecaseontheagen-dafor theOctober2010RetirementBoardmeetingso that themembersoftheRetirementBoardcoulddecide

the issue under the collective bar-gaining agreement, which requiresonlythatthedisabilitybe“relatedtoduty.” Upon advice from the Attor-neyGeneral’soffice,thatrequestwasalsodenied.

Instead, D/Sgt. Washington wastoldhecouldrequestahearingbeforethe State Office of AdministrativeHearingsandRules(SOAHRS).Un-likearbitration,ittakesmanymonthsto have a hearing scheduled. Wash-ington requested a hearing in June2010andhasstillnotbeenadvisedofahearingdate.Anassistantattorneygeneralwillbeappointedtorepresentthe “viewpoint” of family practi-tioner Mika at a hearing. D/Sgt.Washington, who was acting in thelineofdutywhenhewas injured, isnotentitled to representationby theAttorney General’s office in a caselikethis.Bythetimelegalbriefsaresubmitted and a proposed decisionissued,anothersixmonthswillhavepassed.Thecasewillfinallygobeforethe State Police Retirement Board,andanotherthreemonthsmayhavepassed. It seems rather likely that

D/Sgt. Washington will eventuallywin his case. After all, no one butDr.Mikahassuggestedthathisdis-ability was not duty-related. But D/Sgt.Washingtonwillgowithouttheincomeheneedsandearnedoverhis17-year career while he awaits “jus-tice.”

Ironically, workers’ compensationbenefits were approved for D/Sgt.Washingtonwithoutanydispute.Anindependent medical examiner forCitizen’s Insurance Company con-cludedthatD/Sgt.Washington’sdis-ablinginjurywasinfactsustainedinthelineofduty.

Meanwhile, D/Sgt. Washingtonandhisfamilywillhavetomakedowith significantly less income thanthat to which he is entitled for thenext year or more while a hearingofficer is asked to decidewhether a40-yearoldpoliceofficerwitha40-yearoldspinewhotraumaticallysus-tainsfourherniateddiscsinthelineofdutyhasadisabilitythatis“duty-related.”

Justicedelayedisjusticedenied.■

Executive Ribbon SetGiven to all executives, rank of Captain

and above, to put on their uniforms to give an appearance they have

actually accomplished something.

Amendment to Awards: New Ribbon System

My Daddy was a Captain and that’s why I promoted.

Daddy is a Department Executive

Never Been in the Field or on a “Real” Call

Eight to Four Ribbon Shows up to work, does the minimum requirement of work and goes home.

Department Kool-Aid DrinkerCynical Officer Ribbon

Denotes number of assignments this officer has been unhappy at.

Traffic Crash While Responding Code 3

I am a Backstabber Ribbon


Chaplain Bill SandersBay City Post #31

and Caro Post #39

ThreeMSPChaplainsattendedthe37thAnnualTrainingSeminaroftheInternational Conference of PoliceChaplains (ICPC) that was held inSacramento,CaliforniathispastJuly.ThemembersoftheICPCrepresentchaplains and their departmental

MSP Chaplains’ News

Chaplain Andrew JacksonRockford Post #61

MSP Chaplains held our AnnualFall Conference on October 3-4,2010, at the academy in Lansing.It was an excellent conference andwasattendedbyallbutsevenofourcurrentstatechaplains.

ThemainthemeoftheconferencewasthetrainingandupdatingtheskillsofallchaplainsintheareasofCriticalIncidentStressManagement(CISM),andGroupCrisisIntervention.

Our training was taught by oneofourownchaplains, JayMartinofManistique. Jaydidanexcellent job,andweallcameawayhavinglearneda great deal. Each of us receivedcertificatesandCEUcredits forourtrainingrecords.

The second portion of our con-ference was spent in stargazing asto how we, as chaplains, might getout into the communities and useour skills more to help others. Wealso discussed how we might raisefundstosupportourselves,andtobebetterabletotakeourservicestoallcommunities.

Firstwedecidedthatweaschap-lains would each make a contribu-tion to our own cause, helping toshow our dedication to the needsof others. We then decided that wewould ask troopers, administratorsandothertodonatetoourcause.Inthe past we have been able to offerassistanceandsupportinmanyareasofthedepartment.Wewouldliketocontinue to do so, and to do evenmore. You can help us by makinga tax deductible donation to thechaplain’s fund. You can do so bysending your contribution to ourtreasurer:ChaplainRev.DavidHill,1241 Oakridge Drive, Lapeer, MI48446.

Thankyouforyourconsiderationand my God continue to bless andkeepyou.■

liaison officers (sworn departmentalmembers who supervise chaplains)from theUnitedStates,Canada and10 other nations. The conferencehasmembersfromavarietyoffaithtraditionsincludingChristians,Jews,Muslims, and Buddhists. The week-longseminarofferedlawenforcementchaplains, and their liaison officers,an opportunity to develop otherskillsandhavefellowshipwithotherchaplainsfromaroundtheworld.Thetraining seminar offered basic leveltraining, enrichment training, anda three-day advanced track trainingcourse.

TheMSPchaplainswhoattendedthetrainingeventwereBillBourne-HastingsPost,DebLewis-PawPawPost,andBillSanders-BayCityandCaroPosts.

Theseminarbeganwithanopeningceremony ledbyacolorguard fromthe Sacramento Police Department

andthepresentationoftheflagsfromall the nations in attendance. OnWednesday a memorial service washeldhonoring all thepoliceofficerswhohadbeenkilledinthelineofdutyduringtheprevious12monthperiod.Unfortunately we read 139 policeofficers’namesfromtheUnitedStatesincluding Officer James Bonneau( Jackson Police Department) andOfficer Brian Huff (Detroit PoliceDepartment).Theothernationsreadnine officer’s names from Canada,five from England, and 16 fromJamaica.■

Respectfullysubmitted,

ChaplainBillSanders6116SlocumStreetUnionville,Michigan47867(989)[email protected]


Chaplain Sanders with two Jamaican Police Officers.

Chaplain Lewis with Chaplain Tony Dickeyof the Alabama State Police.

Chaplain Sanders with Chaplain Charles Masseyof the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.


7th Annual MSTAF Golf Classic . . .


Thank you for your support!OnMonday,September13,2010,the

MichiganStateTroopersAssistanceFundhosted its Seventh Annual CharitableGolf Classictosupportthefund’sschol-arshipprogram.Onceagain,wereturnedto the Otsego Club and Resort in Gay-lord,andonceagain,thestaff didagreatjob.Forthesecondyearinarowwealsohadgreatweather!

Twenty-four teams participated, andwe are very grateful for the support of our golfers.Thefirst place team includ-ed Mike McEwan, Casey Wheatly, DaleWheatly and Keith Martin, with a scoreof 59. Second place went to Greg Kil-bourn, Mike Larsen, Glen Passow andSteve Mieske, with a score of 60. Tak-ing thirdwasFrankBelloli,DerekRich-ards, Bob Szuber and Ken Scislowicz,also with a score of 60. Prizes wereawarded for both men’s and women’slongestdriveandclosesttothepinshots.WinnerswereDerekRichards,BethMo-ranty, Bill Peterson and Divisha Kapur,respectively. Our skins winner collected$200. There were door prizes for eachgolfer, and congratulations to the manyluckywinnersof ourraffleprizes!

Our heartfelt gratitude is extendedto our corporate sponsors: US HealthandLifeInsuranceCompanyandHealthAlliance Plan. We also want to thankC.O.P.S. Health Trust and Feeny Chrys-

ler JeepDodgeof Gaylord for sponsor-ingourhole-in-one contests.Thank youtotheHantzGroupfordonatingsoccerballs and t-shirts from the Detroit Igni-tion, in addition to themany individualsand business that sponsored tee signs,donatedovernightpackages,andanarrayof otherprizes.Nottobeoverlookedarethosewhohelpedsolicitandobtainthesedonations. In light of the economy itwasanothertoughyear.Youreffortsaretrulyappreciated!Weareproudtoreportraisingover$5,000forMSTAFthisyear.

Finally, we thank those who helpedorganize the day’s event and our volun-teers: Mark Tamlyn, Chris Luty, DuaneHickok, Mitch Stevens, Ray Pechman,DaleGoodrich,Lorne&TamieHartwig,Rick & Melanie Doehring, Jade Adams,andTonyaEgeler.IhopeIdidnotleaveanyone out! Without each of you, thiseventwouldnothappen.

Ourteeandprizesponsorsarelisted–pleasepatronizethem!Letoursponsorsknowtheirsupportof theMichiganStateTroopersAssistanceFundisappreciated!

We are already planning to hold theEighth Annual MSTAF Golf Classicat theOtsegoClubnext fall.Mark yourcalendarsnowforSeptember19,2011.■

Submitted by Pat Strzalkowski, MSPTA Office Manager

MAJOR SPONSORS & PRIZE DONATIONS:US HEALTH & LIFE Insurance CompanyHEALTH ALLIANCE PLANAppletree Inn (Petoskey)Arnold Transit Co.Battle Creek/Calhoun County CVBBlue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan

Harvey HillBlue Moon Trout Outfitter – Jim McCluskeyBrown & DeLine Salon & Spa (Ann Arbor)

Cathy IsselCamping World of Houghton LakeCheboygan Golf Country ClubCrystal Mountain Resort & Spa

(Thompsonville)Detroit Metro CVB – Cathy BradyJerry GoddardThe Golf Haus (Lansing)

Hantz Group – Divisha KapurHilton Grand Rapids AirportHoliday Inn Hotel & Conference Center

(Big Rapids)Image Builders – Stephanie SpencerInnovative Sound Solutions – Loren BrownNate & Maria JohnsonKaroub & AssociatesLindeman & Fox – Tom LindemanChris & Tamie LutyMichigan Corrections OrganizationMichigan State Police Troopers AssociationMission Point Resort (Mackinac Island)Otsego Club & Resort (Gaylord)Saginaw County CVBWhite Deer Golf CourseYarrow Golf & Conference Resort

(Augusta)

TEE SPONSORS:Aventric Technologies / HeartAED

Benzie Kids / B.C.S.D.Brown & DeLine Salon and Spa / Ann Arbor

www.brownanddeline.comHon. Robert John Butts

Cheboygan County Probate and Family CourtC.O.P.S. Health Trust

County Wide Towing / CheboyganThe Flour Garden RestaurantHonorable Laura A. Frawley

Alcona Probate JudgeDiane Garrison

John Grimshaw – 7th District Representative Joe Cavanaugh – 3rd District Representative

Dick Hale – MSPTA Secretary/TreasurerHantz Group

Lorne & Tamie Hartwig – Region 2 Sergeant Rep.Duane Hickok – MSPTA Vice President

JB’s Auto & MarineJohn & Coreen JulinKaroub Associates

Kohl, Harris, Nolan, McCarthy, Turkelson & Ogden, PC – Attorneys and Counselors at Law

Richard LeBlanc State Representative / Westland

Lincoln Precision CarbideChris Luty – MSPTA President

In Memory of Ofc. James Bonneau, JPD

Ofc. Brian Huff, DPD Cpl. Matt Edwards, TPD

Michigan Corrections OrganizationMSP Battle Creek Post #57

MSP Lansing Post #11MSP Traverse City Post #71

MSP St. Ignace Post #83Michigan State Police

Command Officers AssociationMichigan State Police Troopers Association

MSPTA Retiree AssociationOfficer Josh Permoda – Arizona Highway Patrol

Tim Permoda – 5th District RepresentativePeter Pettalia – Republican for the

House of Representatives 106th DistrictPlante & Moran, PLLC

Police Officers Labor CouncilThe Scoop of Frankfort

Rick & Mel Doehring, OwnersSEIU Local 517M

Therrian Enterprises, Inc.Theut, Theut & Theut, P.C.

Attorneys at Law / Phoenix, ArizonaJane & Larry Schneider

Lawrence P. Schneider – MSPTA General Counsel Village Lanes of Harrisville

Eddie WashingtonMatt Wesaw

Timothy J. Dlugos & Kathleen Corkin Boyle White, Schneider, Young & ChiodiniTpr. Scott Wilber – 6th District Rep.

White Pine National Golf Resort / Spruce, MIWorld Magnetics – James D. Lievense

Traverse City


First Place Team

Second Place Team

Third Place Team

The Prize Table

Some of our hard-working volunteers!

Lots of

happy winners

and smiles!


REMINDER:TheMichigan Trooper isalwayslookingforstoriesfromtheroad(pastorpresent),

youngpicturesofcurrentmembersforthe“GuessWho”section,favoritequotes,weddingornewbabyinformationforthe“RegisterofDeeds,”oranyarticleyouwouldliketoseepublished.

Pleasesendyoursubmissionsto: [email protected]

78th Recruit School Holds 40 Year ReunionSubmitted by:

Tpr. Rick Harrington (Ret.)

OnSeptember11,2010,areunionwasheldattheComfortInninMountPleasantwithagreatturnoutof classmembersandoneinstructor.ItwasonNovember8,1970thatweallbeganthis experience, some of wonderingwhatwehadgottenourselvesintoandothersalreadyknowingsortof whatto expect. The class began with 119recruitsand15weekslater35troopersgraduatedandwereassigned.Twoof the35leftformilitaryserviceshortlyafter graduation.There arepresently29leftof the35graduates.

Someof ushadnotseeneachotherin39years–notevercrossingpathsor

knowingwhen they retired.Youcanwell imagine when someone walkedintheroom,someoneelsewouldsay,“Whoisthat,Idon’trecognizehim”.

Our favorite PT instructor at-tended. He was fearful of what wemightdotohimforallhehadputusthrough, however, such was not thecase. We had a great time with Kenandhiswifeandweresohappytheycame all the way from Escanaba toenjoythiseveningwithus.

One at a time each member of the class stood and talked of theircareer and their love and pride inthe department. There was a lot of reminiscingabout recruit schoolandthe funny things thathappened, andof coursethedeathswim.

Finally,KenCaspersontoldof usbeing the first recruit class that heinstructed. Ken told how proud hewas of each of us and how muchpridewasshownaseachretireetalkedabouttheiryearsinthedepartment.

I hope this will inspire other re-cruitclassestodothesameandholdreunions in the future. We will plananotherinfiveyears.Hopefullywhenweplanthenextone,moreclassmateswillbeable toattend.Perhaps IwillalsobeabletolocatesomeIcouldnotfindforthisreunion.Ihopetheywillseethisarticleandcontactmesowecanstayintouch.

Toallthosewhohavenotmadeittoretirement,holdonasthereislifeontheotherside.■

(Front row, left to right): Mike Fink, George Pravda, Laurie MacDonald, Gary Starkweather, Fred Hayes, Pat Darrow, Bill Rinckey, Bob Swartz, Larry Julian. (Back row, left to right): Dave Werner, Jim Labron, Art Nash, Bob Hanson, Rick Harrington, Ken Casperson - PT Instructor, Jon Curtis, Cliff Defeyter, Pat O’Grady, Randy Benford.


“Family” is a term that has beenwidely used to describe the law en-forcementcommunity.

Having spent the majority of mycareerat theBrightonPost, I alwaysfeltluckythatIwasapartof atight-knit“family”.OnSaturday,August28,2010, Iwas shown the actualdepth,loveandgenerosityof that“family”.Iwasamazedhowitextendedthroughthepost,all localdepartments,everydisciplineandintothecommunityof citizensweserve.

Itwasspringtimewhenwelearnedthat our partner, our friend, ourBROTHER, Tpr. Dave Clark of the 108th Recruit School had beendiagnosedwithcoloncancer.Daveisonly42yearsoldandinexcellentshape.Hetakescareof himself andothersaround him. He is a mountain of amanwithagregariouspersonality tomatch.Coloncancer???Itdidn’tseempossible…butmostof uscanthinkof an experience where cancer hastouched our lives through someonewe care about or even ourselves.Cancer does not discriminate; it canstrike anyone, at anytime, withoutwarning.

Action to address Dave’s cancerwas taken swiftly. He underwentsurgery and has required arduous

We Are Family

Sgt. Therese CremonteBrighton Post #12

105th Recruit School

chemo-therapy.Thechemocontinuesasof thiswriting.Davehasbeenonsick leave since this past spring buthasremainedpositiveandupbeat.Noway ishegoing to let this conditiondraghimdown.If apositiveattitudeand a fun-loving spirit alone couldcure the physical body, Dave wouldnotbefightingthisbattle.

Davehasbeenmarriedtohiswife,Trina, for 18 years and is the fatherof four beautiful children: Hannah15, Olivia 12, Matthew 10, andIsabelle 7. He is an active memberof MaryMagdalenCatholicChurch,a temporary drive track instructor,Accident Investigator,FieldTrainingOfficer andmentor.Dave is a greatcop.Thekindof copyouwantnexttoyouwhenthingsgosouth,andthekind of troop that can instinctivelysensewhen things aren’t right.Daveisalsoagreatpartnerandtruefriend.HehasbeenattheBrightonPostsincehe graduated from recruit school in1993.Theposthasn’tbeenthesamesince.(Inagoodway,of course.)

Many friends have kept tabs onDave, his family and the progresswith his treatments. However, therewasonepersonattheBrightonPostwho had to do more. I’m talkingaboutTpr.D.J.Oswald-DeBottis.Shepossesses a very special talent, andhas the unique ability to unite andmobilize others for special causes.EverythingfromSpecialOlympicstoHabitat for Humanity to Red CrossBlood drives – her charitable natureknowsnobounds.ThistimeD.J.andherhusband,PatDeBottis,asergeantwiththeHamburgPoliceDepartmentworkingasamemberof aDEAtaskforce, and Tpr. Karla Aguzzi doveintoactionandmobilizedinabigwayonbehalf of Daveandhisfamily.

Utilizing the Livingston CountyConservation Club in Hamburg, theclubmembers, friends, family, fellow

troopers, their families, and localbusinesses,plannedaspaghettidinnerbenefitinDave’shonoronAugust28,2010.

D.J. and Pat organized fooddonations,foundvolunteerstocook,serversandaclean-updetail.Asilentauctionwasheldand thespecializeditems and services offered in theauction were a big hit. There wereraffles and drawings with donatedprizes.The auction items andprizesweretopshelf itemswhich includeda compound bow, grandfather clockthat doubled as gun cabinet andhunting rifles. The dinner includedspaghetti, salad, bread sticks, desertand beverages of choice, and it wasdelicious. If you left hungry, it wasyourownfault.The benefit itself was a huge

success.Theoutpouringof generositywasnothingshortof overwhelming.Members of the community, localand county law enforcement, fire,EMS,hospitalstaff,RollingThunderMotorcycle Club, and active andretired MSP/MSPTA members, allcame to show their appreciation forDave.More than 850 dinner ticketsweresold.Approximately500dinnerswere served within the first hour.There were also words of supportanddonationsfromthosewhowereunabletoattendpersonally.ThefirstthingDavereceivedatthe

dinnerwasacardof supportfromalocalfamilyhehadencounteredwhenherespondedtoacallinvolvingtheirteenageractingout.ThefamilywantedtoexpresstheirappreciationtoDavefor what he had done for them onthatparticular evening.Anyonewhohas really worked with Dave wouldnot be surprised by this, but Davewas.Hewassurprisedbythewayhehadtouchedsomanylives.Surprisedthat so many people would respondandreachouttohim.Surprisedthattheywouldstandbyhimashefought


this very personal battle. Surprisedthat something so positive couldcomefromsuchadifficulttime.Therestof uswerehappy tobepartof the“surprise”.

I recently spoke to Dave. In hisown words, “I just don’t know howto thank everyone – saying thankyou just isn’t enough.” Dave furtherexpressedhowoverwhelmedhefeelsabouttheoutpouringof supportandgenerosity. He told me he still getschoked-upjustthinkingaboutit.

Theeventwas trulysomething towitness. When I think now of the“family” inBrighton, the truedepthand width of that connection onevery levelwithin that community isunderstoodandappreciated.

The work that went into puttingthis benefit together is staggering.D.J. Oswald-DeBottis, her husband,Pat, their children, Karla Aguzzi,along with the rest of the BrightonPost troops and their families, theLivingston County ConservationClub, and the Hamburg Pub wereinstrumental in putting this eventtogether. There are MANY otherswho were an important part of theevening,madeitallpossibleandabigsuccess.Thankyou!Thankyouallonbehalf of Daveandhisfamily.■

Trooper David Clark and his wife, Trina.

Photos courtesy of Tpr. Mike Moorman (Brighton Post).

Tpr. Jeff Frasier taking in raffle tickets with Tpr. Val Dakin (both of the Brighton Post).

Sgt. Denny Harris (EMHSD / 1st District Sergeant Representative)

and his wife, Sherry.


(At left):

Deputies Andy Ellis and Ray Marino of the Livingston County Sheriff Departmentshow their support.

(At right):

Tpr. Dave Clark withTpr. Mike Moorman

(Brighton Post).

We-Are-Family ...

Spaghetti Fundraiser for Tpr. Dave Clark

Tpr. Dave Clark with Sgt. Lew Taylor (LAWNET) and Tpr. Russ Larson (LAWNET).

Tpr. Jason Hoogstra (Lansing Lab) and legend Tpr. David Devries (Ret.).

Tpr. Ashley Christy and Sgt. Mindy Logan (Brighton Post).

Tpr. Jeff Frasier (Brighton Post), Tpr. Pat Herman (Brighton Post), and Tpr. John Grimshaw (Lincoln Detachment /

7th District Representative).


Tprs. Lawton, Lucio, Bommarito and Anaya after Honor Guard Detail at the memorial.

Ramp Built for Sgt. “Thunder” Thornton (Ret.)

Before ...Everybody gets started under the watchful eye

of foreman Lt. Terry Rouse (Ret.).

It was a very hot day and everybody worked hard to accomplish the ramp knowing it was for one of our own.

Don’t forget the safety glasses on top of your head, Mike.


In addition to the ramp, Tpr. Cheri Cummings redid all of the planters.

Lt. Terry Rouse (Ret.)

Sgt. Brody Boucher (Battle Creek Post) and Tprs. Jeremy Brewer and Todd Parsons (Lansing Post) take a well deserved break.

(From left to right): Seated - Tpr. Cheri Cummings, Tpr. Bennie Boyd, retired Lansing Police Officer Ed Bedic,

Buck Cunningham, Gary Debler, Sgt. Brody Boucher, Tpr. Dana McKee, Tpr. Jeremy Brewer and Tpr. Todd Parsons.


Building a Ramp for “Thunder”

Tpr. Carissa HoranLansing Post #11

120th Recruit School

Troopers and friendsof theLan-singPostgatheredtogetherinsupport

of retired Sgt. Robert “Thunder”Thornton on August 30, 2010.We recently learned that Thundersufferedabrokenfemurwhichwouldrequiremanymonthsoftherapyandhealing.Due tohis injury,Thunder,wouldhavetouseawheelchair.Hishomehadstepstothefrontdoorandhewouldneedaramp.Duringhis28years at the Lansing Post, Thunderwas always known for his love andsupport of his troopers, so it waswithagreatdealofenthusiasmthatmany came together to help him.The idea to construct the rampwassprung by retired Lt. Terry Rouse(MSP Operations) and spearheadedby Tpr. Todd Parsons. The projectwas designed by Tpr. Mike Dillon

and laborers included Tpr. CheriCummings, Tpr. Dana McKee, Tpr.Jeremy Brewer, Tpr. Bennie Boyd,andSgt.BrodyBoucher(MSPBattleCreek). In addition, Tpr. Dillon’sfather-in-laws, Buck CunninghamandGaryDebler,wereatremendoushelp.RetiredLansingPoliceOfficerEdBedicalsohelpedout.

Those who couldn’t make thebuilding sessionwere very generousin donating funds for the project.Enough funds were left over topurchase landscaping supplies tofinishofftheramp.Troopershelpingouttroopers.■

Photos courtesy of Tpr. Mike Dillon (Lansing Post) and

Tpr. Cheri Cummings (Lansing Post).

. . . and After!


Facing the Challenge!

Tpr. Jerry Mazurek8th District Representative /

Wakefield Post #87113th Recruit School

It all started in the late springduring a coffee clutch at IronwoodPublic Safety at 1:00 a.m. Theattendees included officers fromseveraldepartmentsfrombothMich-iganandWisconsin.We(MSP)werechallenged to puta five man teamtogether to run the PaavoNurmiMarathon inHurley,Wisconsin.Ofcoursetherewasalotofsmackbeingthrownaroundaboutwhowasgoingto show who how the running isdone.Beingtheslightlycompetitivetypethatweare,therewasasign-uplist for a fiveman team at the postthatnight.Within24hours,wehadsix,includingawillingalternate,signup.Intruetrooperform,webegantotrain.

TheracecourseisadvertisedtobeoneofthemostdifficultinWisconsinwith many hills. Participants canchoosebetweenthefull,half,twoorfivepersonteams.Awardsaregivento the topracers inMen’s,Women’sand mixed teams within eachdivision.Ourfiveman teamwouldhave each of the first four runnersrun approximately five miles, withthe last runner going approximatelysixandtwotenths.

Going into race day, we (MSP)were “competing” against a teamfrom Ironwood Public Safety anda joint Hurley PD/Iron Co. Sheriff(WI) team. Rumors were buzzingthat a Hurley Fire Departmentteamwasgunningforallof the lawenforcementteams.Wedrewstrawsfor which person would run whichleg.Unbeknownsttous,itworkedoutverywellforus.Theotherteamsputtheirstrongestrunnersfirstandoursfellinthemiddleofthepack.

We started the race behindtwo of the three teams by 10 and13 minutes,and ahead of one byaboutaminuteandhalf.Astheraceprogressed,our second leg runnershavedfiveandnineminutesofftheleadersandexpandedtheleadonthelastlawenforcementteam.Ourthirdrunner took those deficits and blewby the two leading teams who hadtheirslowestrunnersonthethirdleg.By the timeour fourth runner tookover,hehadan8-10minuteleadandwecruised from there.Wefinishedtopsintheunofficiallawenforcement

challenge.Duringtherace,wehadtwochase

vehicles to shuttle runners to andfrom their respective legs. It gaveusachancetoyellandsupporteachother, as well as the other teams in“our challenge”. Several of ourfamilieswereabletogoalongtheraceroute and cheer us on. We (MSP)had many comments from otherracersalongthewayandatthefinishline about how we supported eachother and our fellow racers. TherewasevenamarathonerfromFinlandthathadtocomeovertotalkwiththe“Michiganteam”.While there were five of us on

the MSP team, Tpr. Brett Marshall,wasropedintorunningfortheIPSDteamwhenoneoftheirrunnerswentdownwithaninjurytwoweekspriorto the race.Toshowhisdedicationandfitnessprowess,hewentoutandranthefastestlegfortheirteam.

Nextyear’s race is set forAugust13, 2011. For those interested inputtingateamtogether,gotowww.paavonurmimarathon.com.■

The MSP team consisted of: (L to R) Sgt. Al Graham, Troopers Jeff Rose, Joe Renaud, Jerry Mazurek and Tom Kinnunen.


Board of AwardsThe following citations were approved by the department’s District and Division Review Panels and the Board of Awards. The ranks of the officers are those held at the time of the request for citation.

Meritorious Service Awards

Tpr. Tiffany RobbinsisreceivingtheMERI-TORIOUS SERVICEAWARD for her pro-fessionalism,diligence,and perseverance un-der uncommon cir-cumstances and for

going beyond what it typically ex-pected of most law enforcementofficers. On February 13, 2009, avictim was severely beaten with abaseball bat. Trooper Robbins wasthe original investigating officer incharge of the scene. She providedfollow-upfortheProsecutorandsheassisted in collecting evidence andpreparing courtroom presentations.Trooper Robbins was contacted bytheBayCountyAssistantProsecutingAttorney (APA) on a daily basis forovertwomonthspriortothetrial.Sheassisted with additional interviews,viewed every piece of evidence forpossibledefects,contactedwitnesses,and made any needed correctionsto prior interviews and statements.Trooper Robbins made herself availableafter-hourssotheAPAcoulddiscussandaddress issues thatarosethroughout the investigation. Severaltasks highlight that the manner inwhich Trooper Robbins conductedthis investigation went above andbeyond the call of duty. TrooperRobbins went back to the scene adayaftertheincidentandlocatedtheweapon,whichhadnotbeenlocatedintheoriginalsearch,lodgedinaniceflowontheKawkawlinRiver.TrooperRobbinsassuredthesuspect’sclotheswereheldasevidencebyhavingthem

seized at the jail. Trooper Robbinscontacted a forensic pathologist inGeneseeCountytoassistinevaluatingthe victim’s injuries to dispute thesuspect’s claim of self defense.Trooper Robbins examined phonerecordsand injurypatterns, returnedto the crime scene multiple times,metwithwitnesses,andutilizedaerialphotographs for court presentation.The enthusiasm and perseverancethatTrooperRobbinsexhibitedinherhandlingof thiscasehelpedproducea unanimous guilty verdict by thejury. The potential life sentence willkeepoff the streets abrutal suspectwho exhibited little remorse for thevictim.

D/Sgt. Lisa Speary isreceiving the MERI-TORIOUS SERVICEAWARD for her pro-fessionalism,diligence,and perseverance un-der uncommon cir-cumstances and for

going beyond what is typically ex-pected of most law enforcementofficers. In December 2006, D/SergeantSpearyacquiredacoldcaseinvolving an individual who wasreportedmissing inDecember 2002and whose body was discoveredin March 2003. She immediatelycontacted theconfidential informant(CI), who agreed to meet with herand the Prosecutor in January 2007.D/Sergeant Speary was relentlessin pursuing the investigation, in-terviewing subjects, enhancingher relationship with the CI, andgatheringadditionalinformationuntilthesuspectsfinallyadmittedtotheCItheywereatthesceneof theincident.With the Prosecutor’s approval, D/SergeantSpearypresentedthecasetothe Attorney General’s office. TheyfeltD/SergeantSpearyhadgatheredenoughevidencetomerittheissuance

of warrantsforthesuspectsand,onMarch 24, 2010, murder warrantswere issued. D/Sergeant Speary’sdetermination and persistence wereresponsible for bringing this seven-yearcoldcasetoconclusionwiththearrestof the three suspectswhoarenowincustodyandawaitingtrial.

Tpr. Zachary SparksisreceivingtheMERI-TORIOUS SERVICEAWARD for his pro-fessionalism,diligence,and perseverance un-der uncommon cir-cumstances and for

going beyond what is typically ex-pected of most law enforcementofficers. Trooper Sparks respondedto a reported identity theft on May21, 2009. During his year-longinvestigation, which included thecooperation of Metropolitan FraudandIdentityTheftTeaminvestigatorsandProsecutors,heobtainedevidencefromatleastsixregionalandnationalcorporate security officials. TrooperSparks also conducted dozens of interviewsthatwerecrucialincrackingacheckcounterfeitingenterprisethatfor five years had defrauded areastores, the Association of the Blindand Visually Impaired, and othersoutof nearly $15,000,000.00.Prisonsentences of up to 20 years arependingforthesuspects.

Sgt. Timothy RobbinsisreceivingtheMERI-TORIOUS SERVICEAWARD for his pro-fessionalism,diligence,and perseverance un-der uncommon cir-cumstances and for

going beyond what is typically ex-pected of most law enforcementofficersforhisworkwiththeGeneseeCounty Fatal Alcohol Crash Team.

Tpr. TiffanyRobbins

D/Sgt. Lisa Speary

Tpr. ZacharySparks

Sgt. TimothyRobbins


Thismulti-agency investigation teamwasfundedbyanOfficeof HighwaySafety Planning grant. SergeantRobbins demonstrated extraordinarypersonal initiative, patience, andresourcefulness in developing atotally nontraditional relationshipwithanotheragency,whichultimatelyprovided very valuable monetaryresources for this agency and otherlocal departments. The impactwas significant and the responseby all participating agencies wasoverwhelminglypositive.Thetrainingfundedthroughthisprojectwillresultin a lasting impact in an area that isextremelyhard-pressedformanpowerand resources. Sergeant Robbinsinitiated and developed this projectoutsideof hisnormalexpectedduties,andheassistedthroughouttheprojectin developing the training modulesand resolving administrative issues.His professionalism and initiativereflected very favorably upon theMichiganStatePolice.

D/Sgt. William Eber-hardt is receiving theM E R I T O R I O U SSERVICE AWARDforhisprofessionalism,diligence, and per-severance underuncommon circum-stances and for going

beyondwhat is typicallyexpectedof most law enforcement officers. D/Sergeant Eberhardt was requestedby Isabella County to assume anundercoverrule,posingasa“hitman”on a murder-for-hire investigation.The cellmate of the suspect advisedcorrections officers that the suspectwanted tohave someonekilled.Thecellmate subsequently became aconfidential informant. A meetingwas scheduled between the suspectandD/SergeantEberhardt,atwhichtime the suspect openly indicatedhe wanted an individual killed. Thepotentialvictimwasthemotherof anex-girlfriendwhohadbeenmissingfor

overayearandwasresponsibleforthesuspect’s incarceration. D/SergeantEberhardt developed such a rapportwiththesuspectthatherevealedthelocation of the ex-girlfriend’s body.Through the excellent investigativeskills and dedication of D/SergeantEberhardt,closurewasbroughttothefamily of the deceased. The suspectwas chargedwithOpenMurder andAggravated Stalking and SolicitationforMurder.Heisnowservinglifeinprisonwithnochanceof parole.

Lifesaving Awards

Tpr. Brian Roderickis receiving theLIFE-SAVING AWARDfor saving the life of another. On February7, 2010, TrooperRoderick respondedto a residence where

amalewasbelieved tobe in cardiacarrest. Upon arrival, he found thevictimlyingonthefloorunresponsiveandbluishincolor.TrooperRoderickand a Hastings City Police Depart-mentofficerconductedanevaluationsurvey, checking for breathing and apulse. The victim had a weak pulseand appeared to be gagging. Theyrolledthevictimonhissidetoclearhisairway,atwhichtimehisfaceturneddarkblue.ThevictimwasrolledontohisbackandTrooperRoderickbegancardiopulmonaryresuscitation,whichwas performed for approximately 5to 10 minutes until he was relievedby the responding ambulance crew.The victim was connected to anAutomatedExternalDefibrillatorandadministered a shock. The officersassistedtheambulancecrewuntilthevictimwasstabilizedandtransportedto the hospital. If not for the quickactions of Trooper Roderick, thesubjectwouldnothavesurvived.

Tpr. Dennis Brazaskiis receiving theLIFE-SAVING AWARDfor saving the life of another. On April 4,2010,while on patrol,Trooper Brazaski re-sponded to a medical

emergency. Upon arrival, he foundthe subject on the ground due toan allergic reaction from food. Thesubjectwasnotbreathingandhadnoheartbeat. He administered mouth-to-mouthresuscitationwhileacitizenadministered chest compressions.Duringthisprocess,TrooperBrazaskifrequently cleared the subject’sairway and continued mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The subjectwas transportedtotheUniversityof MichiganHospitalandwasdischargedtwo days later. If not for the quickactions of Trooper Brazaski, thesubjectmaynothavesurvived.

D/Sgt. Jay Petersonis receiving theLIFE-SAVING AWARDfor saving the life of another. On April30, 2010, while off-duty, D/SergeantPeterson observed

from some distance a man fall off an embankment into the cold waterof Lake Superior. With his youngson in tow, D/Sergeant Petersoncalled 9-1-1 and ran to the location,scaledafence,andwasabletogetthesubmergedmansafelytoshoreinanareathathasmanyslipperyrocks.Theindividualwashighlyintoxicated,hadsustainedsomefaciallacerations,andcomplained of being cold (possiblehypothermia). The Marquette FireDepartment responded and thesubjectwastransportedtothehospitalwhere he was treated and released.If not for the quick actions of D/SergeantPeterson,thevictimmaynothavesurvived.

Tpr. BrianRoderick

Sgt. Dennis Brazaski

D/Sgt. Jay Peterson

D/Sgt. William

Eberhardt


Tpr. Erik Darling isreceiving the LIFE-SAVING AWARDfor saving the lifeof another. OnSeptember 13, 2009,troopers responded toacall involvingamale

with a long gun threatening suicide.As officers approached the house,theyheardagundischarge fromtheinteriorof theresidence.Thevictim’smothercamerunningoutof thehousescreamingher sonhad shothimself.Within several seconds, the victimcamecrawlingoutonhishands andknees with devastating facial injuriesand arterial bleeding. The victim’sairway had also been compromised,andthevictimwascoughing,choking,and clearly having trouble breathing.Trooper Darling used a first aid kitgauzepad toprovidedirectpressureto the arterial bleed wound while atthesametimepositioningthevictim’sheadtokeephisairwayopen.TrooperDarling remained in this first aidresponse position for approximatelytwelve minutes until emergencymedical staff arrived to take overthe victim’s care and transport himtothehospital.If notfortheactionsof TrooperDarling,thevictimwouldnothavesurvived.■

October Pay ScheduleClass PayRange MinimumSalary MaximumSalary(4years) Hour Year Hour YearTrooperI 036* $6.26 $13,071 – –TrooperII 050* 6.65 13,885 8.08 $16,871SergeantIIIB 066* 7.48 15,618 9.28 19,377DetectiveIIIB 066* 7.48 15,618 9.28 19,377Lt.IVB 071* 7.92 16,537 9.91 20,692Lt.V 078* 8.44 17,623 10.63 22,195Lt.VI 120* 9.19 19,189 11.62 24,263CaptainVIIB 092* 9.87 20,609 12.53 26,163CaptainVIII 098* 11.16 23,302 13.85 28,919Major 103* 12.38 25,849 15.03 31,383

*NewpayrangenumberassignedbyCivilService. (ReprintedfromtheMichigan Trooper,July,1976)

How To Kill An Association

Reprinted from PORAC News, Official Publication of the Peace Officers Research Association of California

1. Stayawayfrommeetings. 2. If youcome,findfaultandneverofferanalternative. 3. Declineofficerorappointmenttoacommittee. 4. Getsoreif youaren’tnominatedorappointed. 5. Afteryouarenamed,don’tattendboardorcommitteemeet-

ings. 6. If yougettoone,despiteyourbetterjudgment,clamupuntil

yougetoutside. 7. Don’tworkif youcanhelpit. 8. Opposeallbanquets,parties,andshindigsasbeingawasteof

theattendee’smoney. 9. If everythingisstrictlybusiness,complainthatthemeetings

aredullandtheofficersbelongtotheoldguard.10. Neveracceptaplaceattheheadtable.11. If youaren’taskedtositthere,threatentoresignbecauseyou

aren’tappreciated.12. Don’tpayyourdues.13. Read mail from headquarters only now and then – never

replyif youcanhelpit.

(ThisappearedintheMichigan Trooper,Volume18,No.3–September/October1980)

Tpr. Erik Darling


The MSP Chix

District 9 Girls 10U Fastpitch Northeastern Little League coached by Tpr. Carol Meyer of the MSP Rockford Post and assisted by her husband, Tom Meyer.

(Front row, left to right): Olivia Papenheimer, Paige VerMerris, Riley Moore, Casey Haugen, Mackenzie Meyer. (Back row, left to right): Alaina Kregel, Rose Lees, Annaliese Kregel, Danielle Harrison, Esha Jain.

Sgt. Matt Rogers was generous enough to leave work early from the MSP Track to pick up a MSP motorcycle from the Rockford Post, and drive it out to our field in order to include it our team photo. Thanks Matt!

(Photo courtesy of Jim Hill of Jim Hill Photography.)

Michigan Trooper Article Submission Deadlines:

November/December 2010 January/February 2011 March/April 2011 Contact the Editor December 13, 2010 February 14, 2011

From the Editor: Iwouldliketotakethisopportunitytoapologizeforthelatenessof thiseditionof theMichigan Trooper.Onoccasiondelayshappenthatcan’talwaysbecontrolled,withthisbeingsuchanoccasion.Regardlessthereasonitneedstobedeliveredtoyourhandsinatimeliermanner.Myself andthePublication’sCommitteestrivestogiveyouthemostcurrentandaccurate informationpossible,andwewillcontinuetodosointhefuture.Ihopeyouenjoythiseditionof theMichigan Trooper.


Register of Deeds

Sergeant Matt LaBonte (Gladstone Post / ES Team) and his wife, Leanne, welcomed a baby girl on 07/19/10 at

7:30 am. Carsyn Lee LaBonte weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz. and was 18" long. Carsyn joins her big brother, Owen, at home.

Brady Richard LeBlanc, son of Trooper Joseph LeBlanc (Sault Ste. Marie Post)

and his wife, Elizabeth. Brady looks to be a “Trooper in Training”.

(At right):

Trooper Bethany Craig (Sandusky Post) and fiancé, Johnny Carter, welcomed

Cassidy May Carter on 6/11/2010.She weighed 6 lbs., 5 oz. and

was 18-1/2" long.

(At left):

Welcome Rylan Madonna Hopborn September 10, 2010 at 1:03 am.At birth Rylan weighed 8 lbs., 9 oz.and was 21-3/4" long.She is the daughter ofTpr. Travis Hop (Hart Post)and his wife, Allison.


In Memory of Our RetireesD/Lt. Lynn William Knuth (Ret.)

46th Recruit School 6/15/1927 – 8/1/2010

Sgt. Conny C. Snyder (Ret.) 45th Recruit School

11/29/1935 – 8/9/2010

Tpr. Michael W. Harbaugh (Ret.) 64th Recruit School

8/6/1941 – 8/18/2010

Sgt. Ronald F. Calovecchi (Ret.) 62nd Recruit School

3/1/1940 – 8/24/2010

Sgt. John R. Graham (Ret.) 25th Recruit School 4/8/1925 – 9/3/2010

D/Lt. Wyman B. Pomeroy (Ret.) 39th Recruit School 2/5/1932 – 9/9/2010

Sgt. Richard W. Hilderley (Ret.) 41st Recruit School

1/10/1932 – 9/19/2010

Tpr. Leo Drumm (Ret.) 26th Recruit School

12/21/1922 – 9/29/2010

Sgt. Allen E. Seyfred (Ret.) 42nd Recruit School

10/27/1928– 10/9/2010

Sgt. David W. Beech (Ret.) 64th Recruit School

7/19/1941– 10/9/2010

Sgt. Richard E. Sommerville (Ret.) 44th Recruit School

1/15/1932– 10/11/2010

D/Sgt. Dale E. Welton (Ret.) 44th Recruit School

9/26/1931– 10/19/2010Lt. Glenn E. Foster (Ret.)

32nd Recruit School 3/26/1928– 10/20/2010


For a Friend I Didn’t KnowSgt. Doc Halliday

MSP AviationTrooper 2

96th Recruit School

I’m driving down the John CLodge freeway about 11am headedfor the Detroit P.D. hangar onThursdaymorning.That’swherewekeephelicopter“Trooper2”,andmycell phone rings. It’s the supervisorfor Detroit Tracon (pronouncedtray-con)calling.Traconisthetrafficcontrol office for what’s commonlyreferredtoas“DetroitApproach”forpilotsatDetroit’sMetroAirport,oneof the busiest airportsin the country. He’scalling to go over flightplanning for the arrivalof a dignitary the nextday. After discussingour game plan withregardstothedignitary’saircraft,lawenforcementneeds, and other issueswe begin to close ourconversation. He thensaidtome. . .“Isthereanything Icanhelpyouwith?”

When pilots describeairspace to non pilotssometimes it’s hard for people tovisualizethatairspaceisactuallyveryorganized and not just a big wideopenspace,freeforalltoflythrough.So pilots often use a description ofthe“upsidedownweddingcake”foran example of what airspace lookslike. Imagine the big part of theweddingcakeatthetop,insteadofatthebottom.Thebigpieceofcakeishandledby“centers”,suchasClevelandCenter,ChicagoCenteratthehigheraltitudes.Themiddlesectionofcake,that’s slightly smaller in diameter,is handled by “approach”, such as“DetroitApproach”.Finallyyouhavethesmallpieceofcake,butit’satthebottom.This airspace ishandledby

“tower”,inthiscase“MetroTower”. As you can imagine, the radio

traffic with Detroit Approach orMetro Tower is extremely busy. It’snoplaceforrookies,somuchso,thatrookies are prohibited from flyingthere without specific instructionandaprofessionalflightinstructoronboard.

IexplainedtotheDetroitTraconsupervisor that this afternoon wasthefuneralofslainTaylorMichiganPoliceDept.,CorporalMattEdwards.The funeral would conclude at thecemetery with full military honors

including a request for a flyover byMichigan State Police HelicopterTrooper 2 at the very end of theceremony.

I alreadyknewwhat theproblemwasgoing tobe– thecemeterywasunder the “approach corridor” forDetroit Metro’s extremely busy 4parallel runways.Therewas apauseon the other end of the phoneand then he said “that’s a prettyimportant mission”, “let me makesome notifications and brief theMetroTowersupervisor,standby...thisistheMetroTowersupervisor,IhavebeenbriefedbyTracon,wewilldoourbest tomake sure thatflighthappensthisafternoon!”

Let me tell you something as apilot, if this was any other flightrequest in this same area, ITWOULDN’T HAPPEN. So at theappointed timewegotairborneandwith the assistance of Detroit CityAirport Tower we got our discreetsquawk code for our transponder.That’s so all the people looking atradar screens knew this was a veryspecialflight.Wedidn’tneedtotalktoClevelandCenterbecausewewerenotgoingtothehighestaltitudes,sowewouldstartourflightinthemid-dlepieceoftheweddingcake.From

therewewereturnedovertoDetroitApproachandplacedinaholdaboveWayneStateUniversityat3000feet.As the clock ticked closer, we werethenmovedwithinthesmallpieceofwedding cake – Metro Tower’s verybusyairspace.This iswhenourflight crewhad

to start putting it all together. Forhours,wehadbeenstudyingaviationmaps, highway maps, and a map ofthe cemetery to determine exactlywhere Corporal Edwards would belaidtorest.

Detroit Police Department Ofc.Dan Root, part of our crew, wasassignedonthegroundattheceme-tery to “make the call” over a prep

(Left to right):

Sgt. Doc Halliday, MSPSgt. Charles Richey, DPDOfc. Dan Root, DPD


Corporal Matthew Edwards ...................................Taylor Police Department / Michigan

End of Watch: Friday,July23,2010Age: 31 Tour of Duty: 5years,7monthsBadge Number: 227Cause of Death: GunfireDate of Incident: Friday,July23,2010

CorporalMatthewEdwardswasshotandkilledwhilerespondingtoreportsofaburglaryinprogressatanapartmentcomplexonPineStreetatapproximately6:00am.

Heandhispartnerencounteredamanintheparkinglotfittingthedescriptionofthesuspect.AsCorporalEdwardswasspeakingtohim,thesubjectsuddenlyproducedahandgunandfatallyshottheofficer.CorporalEdwards’partnerreturnedfireandwoundedthesuspect.

CorporalEdwardsservedwiththeTaylorPoliceDepartmentfornearlysixyears.Heissurvivedbyhiswifeandtwochildren.

Final Call

radiowhenweshouldstartourflighttowards the funeral. We are now 3nauticalmilesfromthefuneraltryingtobequietandnotdisturbthefuneralceremony,yetcloseenoughwecangettherequickly.WearesoclosetotheapproachcorridorthatMetroTowerandusaregettingnervous!

Detroit Police Department Sgt.Charles Richey is flying as co pilotandassistinginthehugetaskofcom-munication,flying,andwatchingforall the hazards – buildings, trees,antenna, and jets coming in at 160knots(184mph).

Ofc.Rootistryingtotimeourrollperfectlysoitcoincideswiththeendof taps. Like any fellow officer, wewant it perfect, this is for a brotherofficer,andnothinglessthanperfectwill do. Ofc. Root radios – “start aslowroll”.

Wemovefromanorbittosettinguponourvisualpointofreferenceacoupleofmilesoutjustnorthofthefuneral ceremony. We notify MetroTower,MetroTowernotifiesthejets,thetensionisveryhigh!Becauseit’sjust the nature of things, funeralshave slight delays, “Trooper 2 stopyour roll” – we break right – downwego,intoabeanfieldbelowthetreetopsandstartdoingcirclesafewfeet

above the ground, Tower notified,jetsnotified,a757goesbyoverhead.Aminuteortwogoesby,“Trooper2rollin”,wenotifyTower,jetsnotifiedby Tower, the radio goes absolutelySILENT!Wepopupoutofthebeanfield,oversomehightension(erectorsettype)powerlines,jetsarecomingtowardsus,weareclosingwiththemaround 300 knots (345 mph), backdown over the roof top of a highschool, Sgt. Richey and I both cansee Corporal Edwards casket in thedistance,officerssalutingtheirfallen,wearenowoncourse!

As much as I wanted to watchand observe, I can’t, my job is tomake sure we fly this right.We arenow very close and I have the noseof the helicopter directly pointed atCorporalEdwards–Flyover,countto5,breakleft,andclimb.ThesilenceisgentlybrokenbyMetroTower,“fromeverybody at Metro Tower pleasepass on our sincere condolences tothefamilyandallthepoliceofficers,pleasecontactApproachControlon134.3”. The Silence Was Deafening,notaanotherword!(Imagineasuperbusytower–absolutelyquiet).

We switch frequencies and call“Detroit Approach, Trooper 2 iswith you, in a climbing left turn.”

“Trooper 2 maintain your climbingleft turn, you are cleared out of theClassBravoairspacetoDetroit,fromeveryoneatDetroitApproachpleasegivethefamilyandpoliceofficersourcondolences and prayers”. I repliedwith pride and humility “Trooper2 roger, we will let them know”.Thiswasrushhour.Notawordwasspokenbyanypilotsfromanyjets,itwastrulyaspiritualmoment.At 10 minutes past 4pm on

Thursdayafternoon,Iset theMich-igan State Police helicopter Trooper2backdownonthehelopadbackatCityairportinDetroit.

Iwaschokedup.AtthismomentIwassoproud–tobeinlawenforce-ment, tobe aMichiganStatePoliceTrooper,tobeapilot,toworkintheaviation industry with FAA pro’s,to work with Detroit P.D., to be inMetroDetroit, tobe inMichigan. Ihad just participated in the absolutepinnacle of teamwork to honor afallenpoliceofficer.

Corporal Edwards – God BlessYouandyourfamily.

Thelastlineofthepilots’prayeris“IputoutmyhandandtouchedthefaceofGod”...Hewasthere.■


Trooper First Class Kenneth R. Hall ....................................Connecticut State Police

End of Watch: Thursday,September2,2010Age: 57 Tour of Duty: 22yearsBadge Number: 1231Cause of Death: AutomobileAccidentDate of Incident: Thursday,September2,2010

TrooperKennyHallwaskilledwhenhispatrolcarwasstruckashewasissuingasummonsonI-91.

TrooperHallstoppedavehicleonI-91foraninfractionandwasinhispatrolcarwritingasummonswhen itwasstruckbyapassingvehicle.Thepatrolcarwas

pushedintothevehiclehestoppedandTrooperHallwastrappedinsidefor45minutes.

TrooperHallwastransportedtoBaystateMedicalCenterwherehediedfromhisinjuries.

TrooperHallservedwiththeConnecticutStatePolicefor22yearsandwasaveteranoftheUnitedStatesMarineCorps.Heissurvivedbyhiswifeandfourchildren.

Final Call

Trooper Mark D. Barrett ....................................................................... Virginia State Police

End of Watch: Tuesday,September14,2010Age: 41 Tour of Duty: 3yearsBadge Number: 1992Cause of Death: DrownedDate of Incident: Tuesday,September14,2010

TrooperMarkBarrettpassedawayduringatrainingdiveinLakeAnna.

TrooperBarrettandothermembersoftheVirginiaStatePolice’sSearchandRecoveryTeamwereperformingdeep-waterdivesinthelake.Asheandhisdivepartnerwereascendingtothesurface,theothertroopernoticedhewashavingdifficultyandassisted

himtothesurface.

OthertroopersimmediatelystartedCPRandhewastransportedtoalocalhospitalwherehedied.

TrooperBarrettservedwiththeVirginiaStatePoliceforthreeyears.Heissurvivedbyhiswifeandtwochildren.

Auxiliary Lieutenant Dan Kromer ....................Taylor Police Department / Michigan

End of Watch: Wednesday,September8,2010Age: 54 Tour of Duty: 20yearsBadge Number: NotAvailableCause of Death: VehicularAssaultDate of Incident: Tuesday,September7,2010

AuxiliaryLieutenantDanKromerwasstruckandkilledbyahit-and-rundriveronI-94atapproximately9:00pm.

Hehadstoppedtoassistadisabledmotorist.ApassingcarsideswipedthedisabledvehicleandstruckLieutenantKromer,whowasstandingnext to thecar.The

driverwhostruckhimfledthesceneandafteranextensivesearchthesuspecteddriverisincustody.

LieutenantKromerwastransportedtoalocalhospitalwherehesuccumbedtoinjuriesearlythefollowingmorning.

AuxiliaryLieutenantKromerservedwiththeTaylorPoliceDepartmentfor20years.


Sergeant Joseph ( Joe) Schuengel ...................................Missouri State Highway Patrol

End of Watch: Friday,October15,2010Age: 47 Tour of Duty: 17yearsBadge Number: 970Cause of Death: AircraftAccidentDate of Incident: Friday,October15,2010

SergeantJoeSchuengelwaskilledinahelicoptercrashwhilereturningtoSpiritofSt.LouisAirportinoneofthedepartment’strafficenforcementhelicopters.

HehaddroppedoffseveralothertroopersandwasreturningtotheairportwhentheBell206Bhelicopterexperiencedaprobablemechanicalfailure.Itisbelieved

hewasabletomaneuvertheaircrafttoavoidnearbyhousesbeforecrashingintoaresidentialstreetonHorseshoeRidgeRoad.

Residentsandemergencycrewsimmediatelyrespondedtothescene,butSergeantSchuengelhadbeenkilledonimpact.

SergeantSchuengelservedwiththeMissouriStateHighwayPatrolfor17yearsandissurvivedbyhismotherandthreesisters.

Final Call

Captain George Green ..................................................................Oklahoma Highway Patrol

End of Watch: Tuesday,October26,2010Age: 56 Tour of Duty: 31yearsBadge Number: NotAvailableCause of Death: AutomobileAccidentDate of Incident: Monday,October25,2010

CaptainGeorgeGreensuccumbedtoinjuriessustainedthepreviousdaywhenhispatrolcarwasstruckbyadumptruckattheintersectionofHighway97andTurnerTurnpikeinSapulpa.

Hewasattempting to turn left fromthe turnpikeonto thehighwaywhenhispatrolcarwasT-bonedbythetruck.

CaptainGreenservedwiththeOklahomaHighwayPatrolfor31yearsandwassixmonthsshyofretirement.

Corporal David Ralph Slaton .................................. Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Highway Patrol

End of Watch: Monday,September20,2010Age: 56 Tour of Duty: 36yearsBadge Number: 3790Cause of Death: AutomobileAccidentDate of Incident: Monday,September20,2010

Corporal David Slaton was killed in a vehicle accident in Montague County onU.S81whenhispatrolcarstruckacowthathadwanderedintotheroadway.Afterstrikingthecow,hispatrolcarveeredintothepathofanoncomingsemi,causing

asecondcollision.

CorporalSlatonservedwiththeTexasHighwayPatrolfor36years.Heissurvivedbyhiswife,son,parents,andsiblings.


Tpr. Harold E. Anderson March 12, 1921Sgt. Milan Pratt April 15, 1922Tpr. John P. Clinton January 8, 1923Sgt. Harvey Bolen May 4, 1923Tpr. William F. Martz March 12, 1925Tpr. Howard H. Funk July 8, 1926Cpl. Sam Mapes May 1, 1927Tpr. Delos A. Williams July 30, 1929Tpr. John S. Burke October 13, 1930Tpr. Richard F. Hammond January 20, 1937Tpr. Irvine F. Wurm January 26, 1941Tpr. John W. Cain November 26, 1941Tpr. Charles T. Wood April 14, 1942Tpr. Ralph L. Broullire March 16, 1943Tpr. John D. Ryan March 3, 1950Tpr. George R. Branny April 12, 1950Sgt. Perry L. Critchell March 20, 1954Tpr. Calvin R. Jones February 10, 1956Tpr. George E. Lappi November 19, 1956Tpr. Bert A. Pozza November 19, 1956Tpr. Dugald A. Pellot September 30, 1957Tpr. Albert W. Souden September 3, 1959Det. Robert R. Gonser August 8, 1968Tpr. Carl P. Lindberg May 26, 1969Tpr. Roger M. Adams May 14, 1971Tpr. Gary T. Rampy December 31, 1971Tpr. Charles B. Stark December 31, 1971Tpr. Steven B. DeVries October 12, 1972Tpr. Darryl M. Rantanen May 27, 1974Tpr. Larry L. Forreider December 5, 1974Tpr. Norman R. Killough October 7, 1978D/Sgt. Harry Sorenson December 5, 1978D/Sgt. David Hubbard September 16, 1980Tpr. Allan Peterson August 29, 1981Tpr. Craig A. Scott February 9, 1982Tpr. Vicki Moreau-DeVries July 22, 1982Tpr. Tony Thames June 12, 1983Tpr. Robert Mihalik September 9, 1984Tpr. Paul L. Hutchins August 29, 1985Tpr. James E. Boland July 26, 1987Tpr. Kermit Fitzpatrick July 7, 1991Tpr. James R. DeLoach February 1, 1992Tpr. Steven J. Niewiek February 2, 1992Tpr. Byron J. Erickson July 31, 1993Tpr. Bryon S. Egelski July 11, 1994Tpr. Manuel H. Fields August 27, 1994Tpr. Frederick A. Hardy November 6, 1999Tpr. Rick L. Johnson May 6, 2000Tpr. Kevin M. Marshall July 7, 2003

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Saturday & Sunday, January 15-16, 2011Greektown Casino • Detroit

Registration Deadline is December 15, 2010 –Call the office and make your reservation today!!!

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Thebadgenumberon the coverof theMichigan Trooper is inhonorof Tpr.KevinM.Marshall,badgenumber1529.OnJuly7,2003,Tpr.Marshallwas shotandkilledbyabarricadedgunmanwhileengagedin an Emergency Support Team operation. Tpr. Marshall joined theMichiganStatePoliceinJanuary1995andwasamemberof the111thRecruitSchool.HewasassignedtotheNewaygoPost.In2002,hewasselectedfortheDepartment’sEmergencySupportTeam.Tpr.Marshallwas the49thMichiganStatePoliceofficerkilled in the lineof duty,andthefirst tohavebeenkilled inanemergencyservicesoperation.

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