michigan trooper

Transcription

michigan trooper

President
Tpr. Michael Moorman
Vice President
D/Sgt. Christopher Luty
Tpr. Tim Horan (Acting)
1st District Representative
Lansing
Tpr. Nate Johnson
Brighton
Tpr. Michael Sura
Ithaca
Tpr. Michael Zeilinger
Corunna
Tpr. Tim Murphy
Jackson
Tpr. Larry Rothman
Adrian
Tpr. Bill Strouse
Jonesville
Tpr. Keith Pillar
Collins Ctr. D/Sgt. Bill Eberhardt
Training/Lab S/Sgt. Jan Johnson
Tpr. Chris Tuckey
2nd District North Representative
Metro North Tpr. Ray Pechman
Richmond
Tpr. Jay Morningstar
Ypsilanti
Tpr. Jim Smiley
Groveland
Tpr. Trevor Radke
Tpr. Tim Permoda
5th District Representative
Paw Paw
Tpr. Richard Carlson
White Pigeon Tpr. Tim Wagner
Niles
Tpr. Tim Thompson
Bridgman
Tpr. Steve Vrablic
South Haven
Tpr. Paul Gonyeau
Saugatuck
Tpr. Taylor Bonovetz
Wayland
Tpr. Kellie Summerhays
Battle Creek
Tpr. Adam Starkweather
Hastings
Tpr. Ray Durham
Coldwater
Tpr. Todd Price
Region 1
(Representing Districts 1, 5, and 6)
Sgt. Rep:
Sgt. Dennis Harris
D/Sgt. Rep: D/Sgt. Duane Hickok
Tpr. Scott Wilber
Rockford
Sgt. Tom Draves
Reed City
Tpr. Paul Stone
Mt. Pleasant Tpr. James Ciochetto
Grand Haven Sgt. John Tillman
Newaygo
Tpr. Paul Campbell
Hart
Tpr. Mike Stites
Lakeview
Tpr. Norma Makl
Ionia
Tpr. James Yeager
Lab
S/Sgt. Jason Sinke
Secretary/Treasurer
Sgt. Richard Hale
Tpr. Craig McDonald
2nd District South Representative
Metro South Tpr. Jake Liss
Monroe
Tpr. Herman Brown
Detroit (d)
Tpr. Joseph Pendergraff
Detroit (a)
Tpr. Rich Fell
Detroit (m) Tpr. Gary Melvin
Gaming
Tpr. Scott Singleton
Lab
S/Sgt. Tim Ketvirtis
SECID
D/Sgt. Bill Terry
Tpr. Joe Cavanaugh
3rd District Representative
Bay City
Tpr. Jay Kurowski
East Tawas
Tpr. Gregg Kopkau
Bad Axe
Tpr. Larry Verga
Sandusky
Tpr. Dale Brywig
Flint
Tpr. James Swain
West Branch Tpr. Paul Frechette
Bridgeport
Tpr. Joshua Coulter
Lapeer
Tpr. Eric Hofmeister
Caro
Tpr. Amy Hofmeister
Gladwin
Tpr. Everett Renauld
Lab
S/Sgt. Ryan Larrison
Tpr. Mark Tamlyn
Traverse City
Tpr. Rick Doehring
Cheboygan
Tpr. Ron Beckett
Gaylord
Tpr. Chris Belt
Alpena
Tpr. Michael Lorenz
Houghton Lake Tpr. Michael Harger
Cadillac
Tpr. Rick Pearson
Manistee
Tpr. Wes Smith
Petoskey
Tpr. James Armstrong
Kalkaska
Tpr. Stephen Porter
Rogers City
Tpr. Steven Bullock
Lab
S/Sgt. Joe Stoddard
Tpr. Jerry Mazurek
Negaunee
Tpr. Jonah Bonovetz
Newberry
Tpr. Eric Johnson
St. Ignace
Tpr. James Wachnicki
Manistique
Tpr. Eric Gravelle
Gladstone
Tpr. Lisa Kanyuh
Iron Mountain Vacant
Wakefield
Tpr. Steve Koskela
L’Anse
Tpr. Patricia Butler
Stephenson
Tpr. Joseph Racicot
Calumet
Tpr. Steve Lanctot
Munising
Tpr. Rich Cole
Iron River
Tpr. Dave Stuck
Sault Ste. Marie Sgt. Frank Keck
Lab
S/Sgt. Jay Peterson
Region 2
(Representing Districts 2, 3, 7, and 8)
Sgt. Rep:
Sgt. Dale Garrow
D/Sgt. Rep: D/Sgt. Mitchell Stevens
Know your rights...protect your rights!
Administrative Assistant
Ms. Erika Barraza
Office Manager
Ms. Patricia Strzalkowski
Labor Counsel
Ms. Kathleen Boyle, Esq.
White, Schneider, Young & Chiodini, P.C.
General Counsel
Mr. Larry Schneider, Esq.
Knaggs, Harter, Brake & Schneider, P.C.
COMMITTEES
Transfer Review Board
D/Sgt. Duane Hickok,
Alternating Chair
Tpr. Tim Permoda
Tpr. Scott Wilber
Drug & Alcohol Testing
Tpr. Craig McDonald
D/Sgt. Mitchell Stevens
Mr. Larry Schneider, Esq.
Discipline Advocates
D/Sgt. Chris Luty
Tpr. Joe Cavanaugh
Tpr. Scott Wilber
Tpr. Tim Permoda
Tpr. Mark Tamlyn
Sgt. Dennis Harris
Tpr. Chris Tuckey
Constitution & Bylaws
Tpr. Scott Wilber, Chair
Tpr. Bill Strouse
Tpr. Chris Tuckey
D/Sgt. Duane Hickok
Tpr. Eric Wilber
Tpr. Joe Cavanaugh
Finance
Sgt. Richard Hale, Chair
D/Sgt. Duane Hickok
Tpr. Mark Tamlyn
Sgt. Dennis Harris
Tpr. John Grimshaw
Tpr. Craig MacDonald
Safety
Tpr. Jerry Mazurek, Chair
Tpr. Joe Cavanaugh
Sgt. Dale Garrow
Bargaining Team
Tpr. Michael Moorman, Chair
D/Sgt. Chris Luty
Sgt. Dick Hale
D/Sgt. Duane Hickok
Tpr. Joe Cavanaugh
Tpr. Scott Wilber
Tpr. Jerry Mazurek
Associate Membership
(Retiree Committee)
Gordon Gotts (Ret.), Chair
John Boggs (Ret.)
Alan Shaw (Ret.)
Roger Warner (Ret.)
Chris Luty
Dale Garrow
Dennis Harris
Publications
Tpr. Brenda Hoffmann, Editor
Pat Strzalkowski, Typesetting
Tpr. Yvonne Brantley
Tpr. Eric Byerly
Tpr. Joe Donovan
Sgt. John Faccio
Tpr. Scott Nichols
Tpr. Steve Vrablic
Tpr. Eric Wilber
Elections
Tpr. Chris Tuckey, Co-Chair
Tpr. Steve Skrbec, Co-Chair
Sgt. Dennis Harris
Tpr. Mark Tamlyn
Tpr. Scott Wilber
State Police Retirement Board: Sgt. Richard Hale
MCOLES: Tpr. Michael Moorman
ETSC: Tpr. Craig McDonald
Grievance
Tpr. Michael Moorman, Chair
Tpr. Amy Hofmeister
D/Sgt. Bill Eberhardt
Tpr. Scott Nichols
Tpr. Joe Cavanaugh
Tpr. Heather Johnston
Tpr. Trevor Radke
S/Sgt. Allan Avery
Tpr. Jim McRae
Tpr. Mike Fink
Tpr. Kellie Summerhays
Sgt. Dennis Harris
D/Sgt. Jay Poupard
D/Tpr. Bob Tomassi
Tpr. Mike Sura
Tpr. Jay Kurowski
D/Sgt. Sally Wolter
Uniform Equipment
Tpr. Steve Skrbec, Chair
Tpr. Rick Doehring
Tpr. John Grimshaw
MICHIGAN TROOPER 1715 Abbey Road Suite B East Lansing, MI 48823
Telephone: (517) 336-7782 Facsimile: (517) 336-8997 Website: www.mspta.net
Published by the Michigan State Police Troopers Association
MAGAZINE
Vol. 44, No. 6
November/December 2008
On the Cover
Troopers Bret Smith and Marc Moore (both of the Monroe Post) pose with the Budweiser Clydesdales at the Monroe County Fair. (Photo courtesy of Pamela Smith of Finer Arts Photography). See page 39 for more. Merry Christmas to all from the MSPTA staff.
In this Issue
10
16
26
40
51
Editor-in-Chief:
Brenda Hoffmann
Typesetting:
Pat Strzalkowski
Cover Design:
Cherie Morehouse
Submission E-mail: troopereditor@gmail.com
Departments
State Boosts Thin Blue Line........................................................................................10
Relay for Life – Houghton Lake.................................................................................14
Relay for Life – Elberta................................................................................................15
A Memorial for Our Friend and Comrade...............................................................16
2008 Verde Open..........................................................................................................18
Be Careful Out There...................................................................................................19
Practical Pointers for Preventing “Suicide by Inches”
– Part 2 of a 2 part series........................................................................................20
Honor Detachment News...........................................................................................23
2008 Michigan State Fair..............................................................................................26
Michigan Law Enforcement Gets New Tool
to Find Missing Kids and Fugitives.......................................................................28
117th Recruit School Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary.................................. 30
Law Enforcement Torch Run......................................................................... 32
Mt. Pleasant Youth Academy......................................................................... 35
The Ironman Triathlon................................................................................... 36
2008 Fletcher Match...................................................................................... 38
2008 Monroe County Fair.............................................................................. 39
13th Annual MSP Fall Color 5K Run & Walk............................................... 40
National Troopers Coalition 2008 Fall Conference....................................... 43
Ohio Fires 12 Troopers for Cheating............................................................. 45
Too Many of Us Have Surrendered............................................................... 46
5th Annual MSTAF Golf Classic................................................................... 48
MSP Graduates Three New Canine Teams.................................................... 51
2008 October Quarterly................................................................................. 54
Two Detroit Troopers Awarded for Bravery.................................................. 57
Nearly 7-Foot Long Snake Shot by State Trooper......................................... 63
West Michigan Motorcycle Troopers............................................................. 63
President’s Point.................................................................................4
Vice President’s View........................................................................5
Post Spotlight – Lakeview Post #67...............................................6
Unit Spotlight – Accident Reconstructionist Unit........................8
Back In The Day..............................................................................24
From the Streets...............................................................................52
Making the News.............................................................................53
Good Job Troops!............................................................................58
A Few To Make You Smile.............................................................64
Register of Deeds............................................................................65
In Memory of Our Retirees...........................................................65
Final Call............................................................................................66
Final Word.........................................................................................67
Editorial Policy
The Michigan Trooper is the official publication of the Michigan State Police Troopers Association. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily
represent those of the MSPTA. Articles represent the opinions of the author. Any similarity between the people and places in the fiction and semi-fiction of articles
printed, and real people and places is purely coincidental.
All rights in letters to the Michigan Trooper will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes; and as subject to the Michigan
Trooper’s unrestricted right to edit and to comment editorially. No responsibilities can be assumed for unsolicited materials.
Letters or articles must be accompanied by the writer’s true name and address. Due to legal requirements and the potential financial liability for libel imposed
upon the Michigan State Police Troopers Association, the Editor of the Michigan Trooper reserves the absolute right to select, edit, and reject all articles for publication. When an article is selected for publication, writers are assured of freedom of expression within necessary limits of good taste, available space, and legal
requirements.
The Michigan Trooper is published bi-monthly by the Michigan State Police Troopers Association.
For information about securing permission to reprint Michigan Trooper articles, please address inquiries to the Editor.
President’s Point
Tpr. Michael Moorman
To your enemy, forgiveness;.
to an opponent, tolerance;.
to a friend, your heart;.
to a customer, service;.
to all, charity; .
to every child, a good example;.
to yourself, respect.
– Oren Arnold
Christmas gift suggestions
As this issue of the Michigan
Trooper is arriving at your door, the
holiday season should be in full swing.
The holidays are such a special time
of year. They are a time to look back
on the closing year and to be thankful
for all that we have. It is also a time
to look forward to new days and the
challenges that they bring.
Contract bargaining is moving
along steadily. The Association’s
Bargaining Team and I were hopeful
that when we began negotiations in
July, that we would be through each
topic before the holidays. Due to the
complexity of some of the issues
and our commitment to attempt to
improve on certain quality of life
issues for our membership, it does not
appear that we will have all matters
resolved before December 31. If
we have not obtained a negotiated
agreement by the termination of
this contract, the current agreement
would extend itself. Your Bargaining
Michigan Trooper
Team continues to work diligently for
you in all areas of our contract.
Back in September, the Depart
ment announced four worksites
that they were offering transfers to.
These worksites were identified as
needing additional troopers after the
mass transfer of 24 troopers from
opportunities offered in late August.
When the Department posted these
positions, they forgot to announce
how many troopers they were seeking
for each of the worksites.
Thinking this may have been
an oversight by the Department, I
contacted them to inquire how many
troopers would be needed at each of
the locations offered. I was informed
by a senior MSP commander that the
Department would not be posting
their staffing needs since Article 13
of the contract does not require them
to do so.
While correct in that there is no
specific contractual language requiring
the Department to post the number
of troopers (or sergeants if applicable)
that are needed to transfer to a worksite, the Department is compelled
to announce this information since
it is their only way to provide the
required proof to the Association if
they exercise an exemption or invoke
mandatory transfers. An Association
grievance was filed immediately and
while we must wait for the grievance
process to unfold, it is troubling
when contractual issues that are true
“no brainers” are violated by the
Department.
I would like to take an opportunity
to thank a few people that have served
the membership and this Association
in key capacities. I would like to
thank 1st District Representative
Steve Skrbec and 2nd District North
Representative Chris Tuckey for
their faithful and loyal service to the
Executive Board, their respective
districts, and to the Associations
membership as a whole. Steve has
transferred to the Flint post in the 3rd
District and had to relinquish his seat
on the Executive Board. Chris sought
not to seek re-election to his seat this
year due to family obligations. Both
were assets to the Association and will
be missed.
I would also like to thank Brenda
Hoffmann, Editor in Chief of this
publication for her selfless service
as well. Brenda has asked to step
aside due to her “overly full plate.”
Brenda brought a fresh, progressive
approach to this magazine when she
became editor. Her leadership and
commitment has made this magazine
a standard setter that other law
enforcement organizations measure
their publications by.
I would be remiss if I did not
express my sincere thanks for the
outpouring of heartfelt support
shown to me after my Dad passed
away this past September. The cards,
e-mails, and kind comments that I
received were truly appreciated by my
family and me.
In closing, I’d like to say thanks to
the men and women of our Armed
Forces for protecting what most
American’s take for granted – our
freedom. I salute you.
Remember: Be more concerned with
what you can do for others than with what
they can do for you.
May you have a Merry Christmas,
a safe, prosperous and happy New
Year, and may all your patrols be
safe.
Vice President’s View
“Layoffs to slice 85% of State Police
staff.” 1 Who can forget those Detroit
Free Press headlines just one short year
ago? Gov. Jennifer Granholm had
ordered a shutdown of most state
services and the layoff of about 35,000
state employees – including over 1300
state police troopers and sergeants. A
chaotic and embarrassing interruption
of state services was narrowly avoided
when a 4 a.m. Senate vote raised taxes
and erased a $1.75 billion deficit in the
2007-08 budget.
While the aversion of a government shutdown left many of us
breathing easier, the budget ordeal
highlighted the ever-increasing com-pe
tition between public services for the
same monies. State police will continue
to compete with other general fund
appropriations like higher education,
corrections, community health, and
the 19 or so other programs such as
agriculture, natural resources, and
Secretary of State that all depend on
general fund monies. Not to mention
the School Aid Fund, which receives
revenue from a variety of sources,
including sales tax, income tax, lottery,
real estate tax, and tobacco, cigarette,
and liquor excise tax monies. Add in
the general fund contributions and the
K-12 funding represents a hefty 33%
of the total state budget.2 The Citizens
Research Council of Michigan projects
that Michigan’s budget challenge
will continue to grow through Fiscal
Year 2017 (FY17) because virtually
every area of the State budget faces
spending pressure increases that
outpace projected revenue growth.
This “structural deficit” will persist
even as the economy improves.3
So what does all this mean to the
MSPTA? How can we influence state
budget priorities and tax policies that
impact our members? How do we
protect our piece of the pie, especially
in competition with well-funded
and politically savvy groups like the
Michigan Education Association
(MEA)? According to data compiled
by the Michigan Campaign Finance
Network, Michigan’s top 150 political
action committees are setting new
fundraising records, and investing
more than ever to move the political
process in Lansing. The MEA is
included as one of the significant
monetary contributors to the political
process in Michigan. These increasing
amounts of money also increase the
likelihood that interest groups could
trump public interest.4
I believe there are two key factors
to ensuring that lawmakers listen when
the public demands adequate funding
for the state police. First, we must
understand how to influence the state
budget, and then we must continually
identify and grow opportunities that
can make it happen.
For the past 15 years, The State
Fiscal Analysis Initiative (SFIA)
has supported research into how
organizations can influence state
budgets. Funded largely through the
Ford Foundation and the Annie E.
Casey and C.S. Mott foundations,
SFIA funded groups have shown that
successful organizations have strong
relationships with policymakers,
human service coalitions, advocacy
groups, and the media. While SFIA
pointed out that most state budget
negotiations and decision making are
conducted in private, these decisions
must be responsive to the needs of
the citizens. Michigan is highlighted
as one of only four states where
achievements were made in this type
of reform-resistant realm.5 Another
study published by PolicyLink, a
national non-profit organization
working to build strong, organized
communities, proposes that police
departments gain public confidence
and support by being more open
D/Sgt. Christopher Luty
about how they work. They believe
that most people know very little
about the mission and operations
of the police and that increasing the
public’s knowledge in areas such as
personnel and performance is a key
starting point.6 The PolicyLink study
and its findings garnered additional
national support as a special feature
on the PBS program, Every Mother’s
Son.
Earlier this year, the MSPTA
was approached by a filmmaker
who is interested in creating a cable
television documentary focusing on
our recruit school. Recent legislation
that offered tax incentives to the film
industry made the idea financially
attractive. Coming off the heels
of last year’s budget battle, and
with research pointing the way, the
MSPTA staff jumped at this media
opportunity to open up our agency
and build positive citizen support. The
proposed documentary could include
a history of the department, actual
footage of the training academy and
recruits, interviews with recruits and
instructors as the academy progressed,
and a tribute to the troopers who have
lost their lives in the line of duty. A
“real” reality show! We also discussed
see VICE PRESIDENT, page 44
November/December, 2008
Post Spotlight...
Lakeview Post #67
Tpr. Jeff Hoffman
Lakeview Post
118th Recruit School
Hello, from Lakeview! I just returned to the Post after serving twoplus years on the fugitive team. Many
things changed while I was gone – a
different Post area, a new trooper, and
computers in our cars. So, I thought I
would update everybody on the status
of the Lakeview Post.
The Lakeview Post, #67, is located in northwestern Montcalm
County. Some of you might not have
known, but after the last Departmental realignment, we stopped covering
the southern part of Mecosta County.
Currently, we are responsible for all
20 townships covering 720 square
miles of Montcalm County, including
two prisons. With the loss of Mecosta
County, and all of our resources dedicated to Montcalm County, several
doors have opened for the troopers
here. We are considered to be somewhat “fat” with troopers compared to
the rest of the District. Due to this,
we have been recruited by District to
supply our talents to different teams.
Another change is our Post has essentially been split in two: the Post covers the northern half of the County
and a newly-opened Detachment in
Sheridan covers the southern half of
the County. Prior to the Detachment
opening, we rarely spent time in the
southern parts of the County. I’ll provide all kinds of statistics (provided by
our very statistical F/Lt. Steve Rains)
later on.
The Post is commanded by F/Lt.
Steve Rains (I can run 20 miles backwards in my sleep) (108th RS). As every Post knows, we are run by our
wonderful secretary Colleen Crawford. We have two desk sergeants at
the Post: Sgt. Angel Ouwinga (the
State is getting three sergeants for the
price of one) (110th RS) is our daytime
administrative sergeant, and Sgt. Mike
Minnis (Buck-back) (96th RS), who is
riding out his final two plus years in
DROP, is our afternoon supervision.
Just ask him… he’ll tell you how many
days he has left. We have two Detectives assigned to the Post: D/Sgt. Sally Wolter (Black Widow) (100th RS) is
currently assigned for two years to a
regional cold-case team based out of
Lakeview Post personnel.
Front row (l-r): Tpr. Ray Sowa, Tpr. Pat Agema, Tpr. John Looney, Tpr. Rich Bell, Tpr. Chris Frayre, Sgt. Angel Ouwinga, Tpr. Delynn Rice,
Tpr. George Haw.
Back row (l-r): D/Sgt. Ed Doyle, Sgt. Mike Minnis, Tpr. Norma Makl, MCO Pattock (no longer at Lakeview), Tpr. Cheryl Nemeth,
Tpr. Jason Medler, F/Lt. Steve Rains, Tpr. Kevin Ryan, Tpr. Jeff Hoffman, Tpr. Casey Lalone, Tpr. Paul Metiva, Mrs. Colleen Crawford,
D/Sgt. Sally Wolter.
Not pictured: Tpr. Dan Parker.
Michigan Trooper
I nvestigative Support/Fugitive Team.
We generally cover from 7 a.m. until
12 midnight, working a mixture of 8’s
and 10’s with every fourth weekend
off.
The Lake
view Post is
trooped
by
Tpr. George
Haw
(Hee)
th
(100
RS),
Tpr.
Cheryl
Nemeth
(I
dislocated my
shoulder boxing the Inspector) (105th RS),
Tpr. Norma
Makl (cats and
Detective Sergeant Ed Doyle, Tpr. Norma Makl, and Tpr. Dan Parker
dogs
don’t talk
sweeping up the range.
back)
(109th
RS), Tpr. Deyou’ll know why we call it that. For lynn Rice (send me back to the isthose of you familiar with the area I land) (114th RS), Tpr. Jason Medler
know you’ve got a grin on your face (Moose) (116th RS), Tpr. Dan Parker
and a little laughter going on. (Backstrap) (120th RS), and Tpr. Casey
We currently have
LaLone (fute15 Troopers assigned
woop) (120th
to the Post. Twelve
RS). Trooper
troopers are assigned
Makl is curto “road-duty” and
rently
our
Administraare split 50/50 between Lakeview and
tive Trooper.
the Sheridan DetachHowever,
Tpr. Rice will
ment. One trooper is
the
“Administrative
be taking over
Trooper” assigned to
and enjoying
every weekcourt duties, SOR enforcement and upkeep,
end off next
PCSO (what does that
shift
bid.
stand for anyway) duTrooper Parkties, and maintaining
er transferred
our lot of digital camto Lakeview
eras and pictures. We
in November
Chris Frayre after recent firehave one trooper, Tpr. Trooper
of 2006 from
arms training.
Chris Frayre (I don’t
Metro North.
ever want to come
I’m still waitback to the road) (119th RS), assigned ing for Tpr. Parker to cook me up
to the Central Michigan Enforcement some freshly harvested venison backTeam (CMET). Finally we have one straps.
trooper, Tpr. Rich Bell (Tinker) (110th
The Sheridan Detachment is
RS), assigned to the Sixth District trooped by Tpr. Paul Metiva (I can
Kent County, and D/Sgt. Ed Doyle
(handyman) (106th RS) keeps busy
tracking down all the thieves in Montucky. Yes, that’s right – Montucky.
Come spend some time here and
Sergeant Angel Ouwinga at “the desk.”
dig that pond for you) (106th RS),
Tpr. Kevin Ryan (da yooper) (116th
RS), Tpr. Jeff Hoffman (118th RS),
Tpr. John Looney (work is a break
from the screaming kids at home)
(118th RS), Tpr. Ray Sowa (Oh, you’ve
got some land I can hunt on?) (119th
RS), and Tpr. Pat Agema (Dr. Phil)
(120th RS).
Duties around the Post have been
spread out. Trooper Ryan takes care
of our P.B.T.’s. Trooper Medler and
Sgt. Minnis are the firearms instructors (thanks for the recent Sig-DAK
training). Trooper Medler is taking
care of the radar units while Tpr. Bell
is away. Trooper Looney and Tpr.
Makl are Evidence Techs. Trooper
Hoffman is being trained by our Sixth
District Computer Crimes Unit as
a “digital evidence tech.” Trooper
Haw, Tpr. Bell, Tpr. Rice, Tpr. Hoffman, Tpr. Sowa, and Tpr. Agema are
at-scene traffic crash investigators.
Trooper Haw, Tpr. Makl, Tpr. Bell,
Tpr. Ryan, Tpr. Looney, and Tpr.
Sowa are FTO’s. We’ll take as many
cubs as you want to give us! Trooper Rice, Tpr. Frayre, and Tpr. Hoffman are background investigators.
Trooper Bell, Tpr. Lalone, and Tpr.
Parker are D.T. instructors. Trooper
Hoffman is our First Aid Instrucsee LAKEVIEW, page 22
Unit Spotlight...
Accident Reconstructionist Unit
his expectations.” My wife read that
and said “Wow, you’ve always hated
stupid people …”
After seven years at the Alpena
Post, the opportunity to pursue a job
in traffic reconstruction presented itself. The position being in Traverse
City made it even more tempting as
I had grown up there. Sometimes I
wonder how things come together.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
RECONSTRUCTION NON-UNIT
S/Sgt. Jerry Hilborn
7th District Headquarters
THE TRAFFIC CRASH
RECONSTRUCTION UNIT
It doesn’t seem like 12 years ago,
but there we were, recruits being subjected to our required block of instruction pertaining to accident investigation. Sergeant Bill Brandt showed
slide after slide, some of them closeups of pea-sized stones in the asphalt,
each showing the fine signs of “striations?!?”
At the time my thoughts were 1)
So? 2) What a nut job! and 3) I’m glad
we have this guy on our side. Today
my thoughts are “Wow, I can’t believe
I have become Bill Brandt!”
I joined the Department as a
member of the 114th Recruit School
on March 10, 1996. Like many of us,
it wasn’t my first real job, I was 30
years old.
After six years in the 911 environment, I decided that I should do no
more than another four years in that
capacity. More and more I was fighting the urge to just choke some people. This was something that I have
dealt with since I was five years old.
My mother kept one of my kindergarten report cards that read “Jerry
needs to learn more tolerance and
patience towards his classmates when
they make mistakes or do not meet
Michigan Trooper
The Department of State Police
originally selected and trained three
traffic service sergeants in the late
seventies. They were Tom Bereza (6th
District), Weldon Greiger (Northville), and Les Austin (4th District).
A second wave of nine more troopers were then selected in 1983. They
were trained by an instructor from the
Minnesota Highway Patrol. The nine
troopers were:
Tpr. Bill Brandt - 1st District
Tpr. Larry Richardson - 2nd District
Tpr. Dan Smith - 3rd District
Tpr. Mark Dougovito - 3rd District
Tpr. Bob Ezinga - 4th District
Tpr. Jerry Kerns - 5th District
Tpr. Gary McDonald - 6th District
Tpr. Joel Mars - 7th District
Tpr. Lenny Dawson - 8th District
These men were not recognized as
a “Unit,” and referred to themselves
as the Reconstruction Non-Unit. At
the time, the Department did not
consider them specialists, like the Underwater Recovery or Canine Units.
In 1988, the Department decided that
if these members were recognized as
highly-trained experts by the courts,
they could no longer consider them
non-specialists so they were then allocated to Specialist Sergeants.
As a budgetary “savings” move
they were disbanded in 1990 as the
Traffic Services Division was gutted
and reduced to a unit under the Special Operations Division. Unit mem-
bers were transferred to the desk or
pursued other opportunities.
In late 1992, Sgt. Bill Brandt was
reassigned from Auto Theft to Headquarters with the task of re-establishing the Unit. All but one of the
displaced members returned. Brandt
recalled taking a couple of years to rewrite position descriptions and establish the testing policy for applicants,
along with the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (A.C.T.A.R.) requirement. Civil
Service then agreed that the members
would be Specialist Sergeants rather
than Uniform Sergeants. It should be
noted that Special Sergeants, when in
uniform, look very similar to Uniform
Sergeants.
Captain Dan Smith of the 1st District is the last member of those nine
still working in the Department.
THE PROCESS
New members to the Reconstruction Unit are normally troopers. They
take an initial 80 hours of instruction in Advanced Accident Investigation, and Basic Reconstruction.
From there they are committed to a
life-long learning process, completing
the core classes and then generally
taking one class a year or so for the
rest of their career as a MSP traffic
crash reconstructionist. At the twoyear mark, the trooper reconstructionist is required to pass an exam
given by the A.C.T.A.R. before being
allocated to a sergeant.
A.C.T.A.R., IN THEIR OWN WORDS
The Accreditation Commission
for Traffic Accident Reconstruction is an internationally recognized
commission with approximately 700
A.C.T.A.R. Accredited Reconstructionists practicing throughout the
United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.
These Accredited Reconstructionists
core training could be scheduled and about it, compared to my colleagues
completed. This is testimony of how I am the ugliest girl at the dance.
he was able to quickly adapt to the
Eighth District – Sgt. John Bruno,
demands of the First District.
1998, only half-jokingly referred to as
Second District (Metro South) – our “closet engineer,” John is highly
Sgt. Kevin Lucidi, joined the unit in respected for his computer and elec2003 and was sent to the University tronic/technical capabilities. John
of North Florida for the same initial has spent years developing his own
28 day session I attended. There is no crash calculating programs with Excel
doubt my success there was directly spreadsheets. Although he is modest
related to having Kevin available as an about these projects, he was asked
additional resource.
to formally present them by worldSecond District (Richmond Post) renowned crash expert W.R. “Rusty”
– Sgt. Tim Brown, 2000, easily one of Haight at a recent seminar. In addithe top three crash minds in the entire tion to being a total station resource,
state. There are two kinds of losers, John also instructs Mapscenes CAD
those who play scratch off tickets and software, the current MSP issued
those who play defense expert oppos- drawing program. Despite advances
Sergeant Al Avery (Traffic Crash Reconing Tim Brown.
made in caller I.D., John still answers
struction Unit – 1st District Headquarters)
operates a Total Station used to document
Third District – Sgt. Tim Robbins, his phone whenever I need “technical
evidence at a fatal traffic crash scene.
2002, one of the brightest, highly assistance.”
capable crash guys with plenty of
East Lansing – Lt. Gary Megge
The MSP is the only agency in irons in the fire. Besides working solo joined the Unit in 1998. He was proMichigan that requires its recon- in a district providing him with 100 moted to Specialist Lieutenant (aren’t
structionists to be A.C.T.A.R. accred- plus crashes a year, Tim has instructed ALL Lieutenants special?) in 2004.
ited. In courtroom testimony, I once hundreds of police
compared A.C.T.A.R. accreditation to officers nationwide
being a Certified Public Accountant
in the use of Visual
as opposed to being an accountant.
Statements
CAD
OUR MISSION
software, becoming
Our mission is to assist troopers, recognized as a true
deputies, patrolman, and any other resource and a key
member of the law enforcement component in allowcommunity with their reconstruc- ing our team to intertion requests. We do what is required face and assist other
to present the facts, and if necessary agencies, almost all
present them as solid cases for prose- of which use this
cution. We also work with the labs and software.
forensically map (measure electroniFifth District – Sergeant Kevin Lucidi (Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit
cally) crime scenes. Our electronic Sgt. Jim Campbell, – Metro South Post) operates a Total Station while assisting
measurement gear allows us to reduce 1997, another sharp Brownstown Township Police Department with a pick-up vs. car
the time required to produce scale guy with irons in the vs. two motorcycles double fatal traffic crash on Telegraph
drawings based on hand measure- fire. Jim is also a child Road (US-24). The driver of the pick-up (not in picture)
causing the crash was arrested for OWI Causing Death.
ments. Our capability to download seat/restraint expert.
airbag modules is highly sought after In addition, Jim is
Gary has the unenviable job of iminside and outside the Department. the lone Traffic Safety Division rep- plementing change into the unit and
The MSP recognizes that anyone can resentative serving the District. Jim is challenging us to question the old
receive the training, but immersing us required to serve those functions as paradigm. Why does a wheel need 360
in crash work as a full-time job makes needs arise in addition to working a degrees? Why not 359 or 361?
us highly-skilled and effective.
significant crash load.
TODAY
Sixth District – Sgt. Doug Roesler,
CURRENT MSP
RECONSTRUCTIONISTS BY DISTRICT
Currently there is still some debate
1994, our (youthful looking) grayFirst District – Sgt. Allan Avery, beard of the unit, Doug has served as to whether we are a Unit or non-
Unit.
our newest member in 2005, Al was the Recon Unit for 14 years.
Seventh District – Sgt. Jerry
hired and began responding to callsee TRAFFIC, page 47
outs immediately, even before his Hilborn, 2003. I make no bones
are engineers, physicists, police officers, consultants, former police officers, and those of other backgrounds
working in the profession.
State Boosts Thin Blue Line
Michigan runs first trooper school since 2004 to fill
depleted ranks
By: Charlie Cain
Detroit News (Lansing Bureau)
September 11, 2008
Reveille blares over the speakers
at 5 a.m. sharp and 95 weary recruits
crawl out of bed to begin another exhausting day of physical and mental
drills that brings them one step closer
to becoming a Michigan State Police
trooper.
“March sharply,” a drill instructor
barks to the group later that morning as they head to the cafeteria for
lunch. “Yes sir,” comes the collective
response from the men with shaved
heads and the women with closecropped hair. These are the remaining recruits – six have dropped out
since the 121st Recruit School began
last month. They were selected from
more than 4,000 applicants.
The training comes at a critical
time as the number of troopers assigned to the State Police posts across
the State has slipped to a four-decade
low, meaning slower response time to
crime scenes and traffic accidents, and
lower visibility on the roads.
The 1,011 troopers serving at
posts today represent a 24-percent
decline from a decade earlier.
The impact has been obvious.
During the early 1990s a motorist
could pull up to any of the 64 posts at
any time of the day or night and find
a desk sergeant on duty. Today only
29 posts have round-the-clock patrols. And just eight posts have a 24hour lobby with someone staffing the
front desk. The number of posts has
been trimmed to 51 with the other 13
turned into “satellite” facilities that
don’t have a post commander, a way
to save money.
“They are stretched thin everywhere,” said Tpr. Michael Moorman,
10
Michigan Trooper
President of the Michigan State Police Troopers Association. “Every
single post is suffering
from the lack of personnel.”
That’s why State Police brass are so pleased
a new wave of troopers
will graduate on December 19, 2008, don
the crisp blue and gray
trooper uniform and be
assigned to posts across
the State.
“If you think you can...you will. If you think you can’t...
you’re right,” greets recruits on their way to physical
training at 5:29 a.m.
STAFFING PROBLEM COULD GROW
Unlike past decades where trooper
schools were held nearly every year,
the cash-starved State has been forced
to cut back. Today’s trooper school,
which costs $8.3 million to run, is the
first since 2004 and only the third this
decade. During the 1970s an average
of 117 new troopers were sworn in
each year. In the 1980s there were an
average of 62 new troopers each year
and the average rose to 106 annually
during the 1990s.
This decade, however, the average
of troopers coming on board each
year dipped to 36. With 400 State Police officers eligible to retire between
now and January 2014, the staffing
problem could grow more severe.
Back at the training academy, the
recruits have 14 weeks left in an arduous training program that is a combination military boot camp and college
classroom. The physical demands are
huge during the days that don’t stop
until Taps is sounded at 10 p.m. and
lights go out in the two-person rooms.
Between 13 percent and 15 percent of
the recruits will drop out because they
can’t handle the challenge, according
to officials.
“They really kill us with PT (physical training). It’s challenging and I
don’t heal up the way I used to,” said
William Long, who at 44 is the “old
man” of the class.
Long, a tool-and-die welder and
father of 7-year-old twins from Howell, gets paid about $750 a week during trooper school. If he makes it to
the December 19 graduation, he’ll
earn $41,000 as a trooper, a salary that
increases to $62,000 after 20 years.
Long, a deeply religious man with
a black belt in taekwondo explains
why he wants to be a trooper: “I believe we’re all called to service and
what better outfit to serve in than the
State Police.”
Gail Grzybowski, a 23-year-old
Troy resident with a criminal justice
degree from Ferris State University, is
among the nine females in the class.
She said the military discipline took a
little getting used to.
“I had to learn about ‘right face,’
‘left face’ and marching in general,”
she said, adding the instructors don’t
cut the women any slack when it
comes to the sit-ups, push-ups, and
hand-to-hand combat training.
He said while troopers what the impact of that can be,” said
will still respond to emer- Shanon Akans, spokesperson for the
gencies anywhere, the job State Police.
has been made more difficult
She said a later review determined
with the declining ranks. He that there were only two patrol units
said the State Police out of available at the Metro North Post and
necessity has closer work- both were involved in other priority
ing relations with
county
sheriffs
and in some areas
of the State the
sheriff deputies
will patrol during
one shift and the
state troopers during another.
Getzen
said Recruits learn how to properly shoot their firearms
Silent recruits wolf down a quick breakfast between
PT and inspection.
that the priority during firearms training.
of traffic enforcement
has
resulted in fewer troopers calls. In fact, Akans said, there was
She left her hair long for the first
week of classes, but by the second available to respond to calls for ser- only one State Police vehicle not on
a priority call in all of Metro Detroit
week she had nine inches of blonde vice.
“We simply can’t respond to ev- that night, and it was 24 miles away
hair shorn off.
from the shooting scene.
“There’s no time to dry your hair erything,” he said.
A classic example of how slim the
She said it’s not unusual to have
because we are constantly busy,” she
ranks of troopers have become oc- fewer than 10 troopers assigned to a
said.
curred in July 2007 when a man and post today. The number of troopers
IMPACT OF CUTS
women were shot and lay bleeding in is down at posts across the state comFELT ELSEWHERE
the street in Royal Oak Township.
pared to 2001 levels. For instance, the
Major Barry Getzen, commandnumber of troopers at the
er of the State Police Field Services
Bad Axe Post is down 45
Bureau, said it’s not just the troopers
percent, it’s dropped 42
who have felt the sting of state budge
percent at the Sandusky
troubles.
Post and 37 percent at
In April of last year, the state
the Metro South Post.
was set to lay off 29 troopers.
Jeremy Nunez, a 30year-old Lansing man, is
At the last minute the Troopers Asamong the current resociation intervened and donated
cruits anxious to swell the
$400,000 to the State to keep those
trooper ranks. A legislatroopers on the streets.
tive staffer, Nunez is no
Over the years, many have retired
stranger
to boot camps
and not been replaced.
having gone through Air
“We’ve also lost a tremendous Recruits practicing their traffic stop skills.
National Guard training
number of command officers and
and an Army parachute
A 911 call was placed around 3:30 school and he’s confident he’ll survive
sergeants (due to retirement) which
impacts our ability to have close su- a.m. and it was nearly a half-hour be- this one as well.
pervision of our troopers,” he said. fore troopers arrived on the scene.
“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever
The 208 command officers (lieuten- Royal Oak Township has no police done mentally and physically, but it’s
ants, first lieutenants, inspectors, and patrol on the overnight shift, leaving exciting,” he said.
captains) is down 22.4 percent since the State Police as the only backup.
(Reprinted with permission.)
“That night it was glaringly obvi2000 while the 479 sergeants is down
ous just how short-handed we are and
8.4 percent.
see RECRUITS, page 12
11
from RECRUITS, page 11
Defensive Tactics training.
Recruits are called into their room when dust is discovered
on a light fixture during morning inspection.
Defensive Tactics begin to look rough as Michigan State
Police Academy recruits go through a day of training.
Attentive recruits listen in a class on constitutional law.
Recruits taking notes on their computers.
12
Michigan Trooper
A recruit practices approaching a suspect vehicle.
Plenty of push-ups are done by recruits.
Sergeant Jason Williams reviews recruits outside their dorm rooms
during the morning inspection.
Thumping feet in step aerobics pound out a hypnotic beat
during the morning PT session.
Photos by
Dale G. Young
Detroit News
Recruits conducting patrol scenarios.
13
Relay for Life – Houghton Lake
Tpr. Harold Terry
Houghton Lake Post
On July 12, 2008, the Houghton
Lake Post, along with their families,
participated for the second year in
the local Relay for Life for the fight
against cancer. For those of you who
are not familiar with Relay for Life, it
is a 24-hour event that raises money
to help find a cure
for cancer. To
participate in the
event, you raise as
much money as
you can prior to
the close of the
event, and during
the relay you have
to have at least one person walking
around the track at all times.
The Houghton Lake Post Relay for Life team.
14
Michigan Trooper
Why did we get involved?
I arrived at the Houghton
Lake Post two years ago and
thought that this event was
a great chance to bring the
post closer together and raise
money for a good cause at
the same time. The event is a
family oriented atmosphere
which is a hard thing to find
these days. This event didn’t
just bring the post together
for the 24 hours, it started
months before. This year the
post got together and put on
a car wash in front of the
post. While the kids did their
part and sold lemonade, we
were able to raise an amaz- Houghton Lake Troopers Bradley Stimac and
ing $473. Jennifer Flick, Tpr. Michael Vranish pose in front of the dunk tank with
Kevin Flick’s wife, sells Pam- Tpr. Michael Harger inside.
pered Chef products and
she held a sale where all her commis- didn’t just walk around the track. We
sions went to the took the opportunity to raise even
relay. She wasn’t more money with a dunk tank. That’s
the only one to right we did “Dunk a Trooper” and
do this. Amy at three balls for a buck we had them
Stemic, Tpr. Brad lined up for what seemed like miles,
Stemic’s wife, sells at least that’s what it felt like when it
Lia Sophia jew- was your turn in the tank. We raised
elry and she also $228 in the tank; that equals to a lot
held a sale where of softballs being thrown. Of course
all of her commissions went to the the wives had to take their turn at
relay. Once at the event, our team dunking their spouses. I can’t begin to
tell you how many people
came up and commented
on our involvement and
how they loved seeing us
there. The event is also a
great way to show-case
our agency. So, if you’re
looking for a good time
and a great way to get the
post together, then join
your local Relay for Life.
Our team raised a total
of $1800.07! Relay for Life – Elberta
The following was written by Mrs. JoAnn DuVall, wife of recently deceased Tpr. Blair DuVall, to friends and family.
The local Relay for Life was recently held and I wasn’t aware it was even
scheduled; but was able to purchase
luminaries and decorate them myself.
I cried, but it was somewhat healing.
In the past I was very involved and
helped head a team in Gaylord. This
year was different. My friend, Doreen,
and I went later in the evening prior
to the luminary ceremony. We walked
the path and I received many tender
hugs. I was so touched to see many
luminaries for Blair around the park.
We made several laps and I tried to
read every name honored. Doreen
held my arm, or I held her, during the
power point presentation and reading
of the names from the “In Memory
Of ” list and the “In Honor Of ” list.
I was grateful Blair was not suffering
and I wondered if the survivors felt
like they had won the lottery. Two
very different lists that have such a
lasting impact on families.
I loved the fact they used little
glow lights instead of real candles as
they have in the past. I was very windy
and many would have burned. Great
thinking folks! Congratulations on a
wonderful showing.
15
A Memorial for our Friend and Comrade
The
statue
serves as a reminder of the
On August 30, 2008, a friend and sacrifice Kevin
comrade was forever memorialized. made for the
The first ever Michigan State Police c o m m u n i t y
trooper statue was unveiled at the of Newaygo
Marshall Memorial Park in the City of County,
and
Newaygo. This has been a very labor- the
citizens
ing goal that has been reached by the of the State
troopers of the Newaygo Post and of Michigan.
the Marshall Memorial Park ComLastly,
I
mittee members. I especially want to want to thank
express my appreciation to Newaygo YOU for dona
City Manager Rich Blachford, Neway- tions, playing
go City Chief of Police Pat Hedlund, golf, particiand Newaygo City Clerk Kim Biegal- pating in the Trooper Kevin Marshall statue.
le. Their support in making this hap- c a n d l e l i g h t
pen has been overwhelming. It could vigil, purchasing a challenge coin, tions we have gone through whether
not have happened without Rich’s raffle tickets for the ATV, and buying we were laughing or crying; the true
participation in making the park as t-shirts or attending the hockey game. and meaningful support that many
beautiful as it is today. This also goes And, a strange thought just occurred have given us while we walked down
for the Flower Garden Girls of Ne- to me when I was typing this last para- this road; the horrible feeling that we
waygo, who have volunteered count- graph. It’s overwhelming to just now may have to go through this again
realize the energy and effort that has one day, but also the triumphant feelless hours to beautify the park. I would also like to express my been put into this project. The emo- ing that we have survived this. That
we have become more
deepest appreciation to Ginger Hadd,
resilient to life’s chalthe talented sculptor who designed
lenges
and more sympaKevin’s statue. The statue is so eerily
thetic to those who are
similar to Kevin’s features that I think
going through similar
no other sculptor could have come
hardships in life; that we
closer. The uniform and badges are
hold life and our famivery distinct and perfect, making me
lies more closely to ourvery proud of Ginger’s work. The
selves.
size of Kevin’s head right down to
Although this is not
the smirk on his face is right on target,
the end of working on
and sent chills down my back. Kudos
the park, it certainly
to Ginger and her work, which played
feels like the end of our
another crucial part in this labor of
quest to memorialize
love.
Kevin. Speaking for myI took an opportunity to visit the
statue one evening when it was dark.
self, I am overwhelmed
I tell you, when Kevin’s statue is lit up
with the feeling of acit is so breathtaking. You must see this
complishment and very
during the night, it is a very powerful
proud to have been part
statement of what we officer’s are up
of this. This will certo everyday. Kevin is holding Danielle
tainly be part of my life
Angie, Kevin’s wife, along with his children, Anthony and
on his right arm, and his left hand is Danielle, and Kevin’s mother, Kathy, pose with the statue
until the day I meet my
of
Tpr.
Kevin
M.
Marshall
during
the
dedication
ceremony.
resting on Anthony’s right shoulder.
maker. I look over my
By: Sgt. Linda Mys
Detroit Post
102nd Recruit School
16
Michigan Trooper
shoulder now and see what has happened in the last five plus years and
can’t believe I made it through all this.
But I didn’t make it on my own, I had
several people help me if not down
right carry me through what had happened in July of 2003. Special thanks
to Dr. Robert Wolford of Behavioral
Sciences who is very dear to me, and
I thank God that he was there to help
me. Words alone cannot express my
gratitude, our Department is very fortunate to have him with us. Thankfully
he was so tenacious in our meetings
and carrying me through my hardest
times. He has no idea the impact he
has had on my life, and I will be forever grateful. Thanks for the “tow.”
With that, I will leave you with
the photos of the Dedication of the
Statue. Thanks all, and stay safe.
Fellow ES Team Members with the statue of Tpr. Kevin M. Marshall: Lt. David Bower
(Special Operations Division – ES Team), D/Sgt. Dave Simon (Third District Fugitive
Team), Sgt. Rich Gorajec (Grand Haven Post), Tpr. Pat Darrow (Bridgeport Post),
Tpr. Chris Clute (Wayland Post), Sgt. Mic Benjamin (Special Operations Division – ES Team).
Fast Facts:
Marshall’s children, Anthony and Danielle,
are depicted in the statue as the ages
they were upon his untimely death.
Two pennies lay at the statue’s feet
marking his birth year and the birth year
of his sister, Shelley Meares.
The time on his watch is 7:12, the time
he left home every morning for work.
A dragonfly on Danielle’s back symbolizes
Marshall’s parents. On the day he died,
a dragonfly hung around his parents’
swimming pool all day.
Anthony has the number 11 on his shirt
– this was the number Marshall and his best
friend, Mark Fontana, wanted when they
shot craps.
This is a culmination of a true labor of love by the
people of Newaygo. It’s been an outpouring of love.”
– Mike Marshall, Tpr. Kevin Marshall’s uncle.
The project resonated with me
on many levels, and after some
discussion, I was honored to
be offered this commission,”
Ginger Hadd, an Ann Arbor-based
sculptor who created the bronze
statue of Marshall and his
two children.
Quotes courtesy of the
Muskegon Chronicle.
The statue is very heartwarming, and
it really helps memorialize and cement
his memory in the park,” said Sgt. Kevin
Sweeney, who served with Tpr. Kevin
Marshall at the Newaygo Post for eight
years. “But it never really ends, at least
the memory of Kevin.”
The Fifth Annual “Marshall Run” was held on Saturday, August 30, 2008. It was the run’s largest year,
with nearly 180 participants. Many law enforcement agencies were represented, including the Michigan State
Police, Grand Rapids Police Department, Newaygo County Sheriff ’s Office, Muskegon County Sheriff ’s Office,
Newaygo Police Department, and the Grant Police Department.
Over $1,100 was raised for MI-COPS. Following the conclusion of the Marshall Run, the Tpr. Kevin M.
Marshall statue was dedicated at the Marshall Park.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this race a success. We look forward to the Sixth Annual in 2009!
17
2008 Verde Open
By: The Grand Haven Post
On April 26, 2008, Tpr. Jayme
Green (114th Recruit School) suffered
a stroke while on duty at a traffic stop.
Fortunately, another trooper and a
Muskegon Police Department officer
happened to be on the scene as Jayme
collapsed. Medical assistance was immediately requested and, again fortunately, there were two paramedics that
happened to be in an adjacent parking
lot. Due to help being so close, Jayme
arrived at the hospital approximately
12 minutes after suffering the stroke
and received the critical treatment
needed. Since then, Jayme has been
undergoing extensive rehabilitation
for some left side paralysis at Mary
Free Bed Hospital in Grand Rapids
and is progressing every day. On August 15, 2008, a benefit
golf outing was held at Grand Haven
Golf Course to assist Jayme and his
family. The turnout and support was
incredible, raising $15,000. Thirtythree teams were registered for the
event with many being law enforcement officers from around the State.
Numerous businesses and individuals
donated money and prizes that were
raffled off, including: a one week stay
at a vacation house in Colorado, an
LCD TV, U of M football tickets, etc.
Thanks goes out to everyone for their
donations and support.
Jayme is working very hard and
continues to progress every day. He
has also maintained a positive attitude
along with his typical Jayme sense of
humor. We are all behind Jayme and
his family and hope to see him back at
work real soon.
If you wish to send a donation
to Tpr. Jayme Green, you may send
it to:
Grand Haven Post
1622 S. Beacon Blvd.
Grand Haven, MI 49417
18
Michigan Trooper
Trooper Chris Bush (6th District Hometown Security Team)
“Networking” with Tpr. Charley Bartley (Bridgman Post).
(l-r): Trooper Brian Cribbs (Grand Haven Post), Marcy Green, Tpr. Jayme Green
(Grand Haven Post), and Tpr. Rob Bilacic (6th District Hometown Security Team).
Trooper Jayme Green
(Grand Haven Post) and
his wife, Marcy.
Above all things let us never forget that mankind constitutes one
great brotherhood; all born to encounter suffering and sorrow, and
therefore bound to sympathize with each other.
– Albert Pike
Be Careful Out There!
By: F/Lt. John Card
Bay City Post
103rd Recruit School
Trooper Joe LaBelle (Bay City
Post) was responding at a high rate of
speed to an aircraft that had crashed
into a field. He was southbound on
Euclid Avenue just before noon on
Saturday, August 30, 2008, when an
82-year-old man pulled out in front
of him. When Tpr. LaBelle took evasive action, risking great personal injury to protect the life of another, he
lost control of the vehicle, struck the
curb and rolled his vehicle, a number
of times, into a nearby marsh area.
The marsh area seen in the photo
is actually quite small, perhaps only
150 feet wide, and does not adequately provide the viewer with a good
picture of how fortunate we were.
Trooper LaBelle actually was first
able to correct the vehicle enough to
avoid a telephone pole. If his vehicle
had left the roadway to the north or
the south, measured in mere feet,
Tpr. LaBelle would have likely rolled
across parking lots and the outcome
may have been quite different. With
the time just prior to noon, there was
also plenty of traffic on the five-lane
roadway.
Both Tpr. LaBelle and his dog,
Chip, walked away from the crash.
However, Tpr. LaBelle suffered nonlife threatening injuries to his neck,
back, and shoulders. He was admitted
to Bay Medical and kept over night
for observation.
Trooper LaBelle was released
without work restrictions on September 15, 2008.
A point that should not be overlooked when considering how quick
an incident like this happens, is how
Tpr. LaBelle takes care of himself. He
prepares himself daily for both the
mental and the physical demands of
the job. Just the day before the crash,
Tpr. LaBelle had arrested a driver and
recovered a stolen vehicle for the City
of Bay City. Trooper LaBelle simply
made the statement, “I love my job!”
He takes pride in his work and his
physical condition. It is clear that had
he been out of shape and therefore
unable to withstand the punishment
of the crash, his injuries would have
been much more severe.
Trooper Joe LaBelle’s (Bay City Post) patrol car’s final resting place. The lights and
siren were still activated.
Look close to see Tpr. LaBelle’s (Bay City Post) patrol car!
19
Practical Pointers for Preventing
“Suicide by Inches”
Powerful new documentary explores officers’ trips to the edge and back
Part 2 of a 2 part series
By: Force Science News
[In the last issue, a new documentary film, “The Pain Behind the
Badge,” was featured in which three
officers who experienced emotional
melt-downs from the cumulative
stress of life on the street. Two contemplated suicide and the third saw
the near-dissolution of his marriage
before they sought help. This time
measures are explored that you can
take to keep a career-related stress
buildup from overwhelming you or
another officer.]
“There’s no doubt that law enforcement is a tough profession,” says
Dr. Bill Lewinski, the behavioral scientist who heads the Force Science
Research Center at Minnesota State
University-Mankato, “The stuff you
run into can emotionally bury you unless you take care of yourself.”
Suicide, the most emphatic form
of self-destruction, is one potential
outcome, as “The Pain Behind the
Badge” makes clear. In a typical year,
an estimated 400 of the 870,000 law
enforcement officers in the United
States take their own lives. But many
more are committing what the legendary psychiatrist Karl Menninger
called “suicide by inches,” Lewinski
points out.
This refers to more gradual behaviors of self-destruction, like excessive
spending in an effort to buy happiness, excessive drinking or compulsive adultery as a means of escape,
addictively overworking at the cost of
relationships with spouse and kids.
“For a relatively few officers, these
patterns may eventually culminate in
suicide, but for a great many more,
20
Michigan Trooper
such behavior dramatically erodes the
quality of life as it’s being lived. They
experience a kind of suicide of the
soul that long-range can be as devastating as pulling the trigger.”
Police recruits are selected in part
“for their good mental health, and
most officers maintain that status by
and large throughout their careers, despite the ravages of the profession,”
Lewinski says. “But for some, their
innate personality traits and professional circumstances conspire to push
them toward a breaking point.”
Adds Dr. Beverly Anderson, a
police psychologist who heads the
Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police
Employee Assistance Program: “No
human being, no matter how healthy,
well-trained or well-adjusted, is immune to the long-term effects of cumulative stress or sudden critical incidents. A police officer’s 20-plus years
of ‘peacetime combat’ can wreak a
heavy toll personally and professionally.”
What can you do to strengthen
your defenses against the emotional
risks of the job…or to pull a fellow
officer back from an abyss of self-destruction? Lewinski and other experts
offer these practical suggestions and
observations:
OPEN UP TO A ‘TALK BUDDY’
“The way to have a long and successful career [in policing] is to realize very early that you are going to
see and experience things that are not
normal,” says Sgt. Tom Harmon, Director of the Las Vegas Police Employee Assistance Program, a 22-year
veteran who appears in the documentary. “The way to survive that is to
deal with your emotions and reactions
as they come along. Don’t let them
build up.”
“That means genuinely opening
up – recognizing and unloading what’s
troubling you emotionally to someone
who’s a good listener and supportive,
in a non-choir practice atmosphere,”
says Lewinski.
That can be a tough assignment
for cops, who often tend to be heavily
invested in maintaining an impermeable, “rub dirt on it and get back in
the game” façade. Yet hiding behind a
thick emotional wall, which may seem
to be self-protective, usually proves
to be “the greatest stressor over the
years,” Harmon explains.
A spouse, a civilian friend, a fellow officer, a pastor – “anyone who
cares about you and is warm, trusted,
nurturing and insightful could fill the
role” of a talk buddy, Lewinski says.
In turn, you can help them by providing a sounding board for any issues
they may want to share. Officers with
this kind of give-and-take communication in place, he says, “tend to survive tough times much better.”
DEVELOP A PURPOSE
OUTSIDE OF POLICE WORK
“Officers can become so addicted
to the unique excitement of the job
that they over-invest themselves in
the cop lifestyle. They live for working,” Lewinski says. “Then they find
out later that they’ve sacrificed everything that’s truly meaningful in life
– family relationships, for instance
– for a profession that too often is
not very supportive or nurturing, and
they end up bitterly disappointed and
disillusioned.
“The police world can be so seductive that your life can get really out
of balance unless you find something
outside the job that gives you purpose
and helps replenish you emotionally.
Maybe it’s coaching Little League or
riding your motorcycle in charity runs
or hunting or running marathons. I
knew one really tough SWAT commander who built dollhouses as a
hobby and won prizes in competition.
The key is getting a self-fulfilling mix
in your life that’s emotionally nourishing rather than draining like the job
can be at times.
“An important part of that needs
to involve tending to loving relationships. Have lunch with your spouse
without other cops present. Devote
time on a regular basis to being alone
as a couple, doing fun things you both
enjoy. Look for creative ways to say
‘I love you.’ Nurture what’s important
to you.
“An officer who develops a life
that’s balanced does so because he
makes that a priority. He controls his
life to make it happen.”
BE ALERT FOR
TROUBLESOME SYMPTOMS
“In today’s relentlessly plugged-in
world of cell phones, iPods, computers, and other sources of constant
mental racket, it’s important to take
time periodically to calmly and candidly assess your emotional state,” Lewinski notes. “That can help prevent
an unconscious drift into dangerous
waters.”
These are among the symptoms
that Washington’s Beverly Anderson
and Dr. Kevin Jablonski, a psychologist with the Los Angeles Police Department recommend checking for.
Unacknowledged and untended, they
can lead to crippling depression, even
suicide.
• Withdrawl from friends and family
• Loss of interest in activities you
usually find enjoyable
• Thoughts/feelings of hopelessness
• An increase in the use of alcohol
or “deadening” medication
• Obsession with “unsolvable” personal or financial problems
• Mood swings
• Longing for a relationship that has
broken up
• Persistent feelings of gloom, sadness, lethargy
• Poor sleeping patterns
• A dread of going to work
• An increase in sick days
• Chronic irritability, impatience,
lashing out and criticism of others
• Emotional numbing, where you
“just don’t feel anything.”
Officers who are contemplating
suicide may talk about “getting their
things in order quickly,” such as writing a will, or state that “their problems
will soon be completely resolved,”
says Jablonski.
“The everyday stress of being a
police officer can lead to serious difficulties when you add personal problems too,” warns Anderson. “When
such stressors are prolonged and
overwhelming, your ability to cope
becomes difficult.”
In “The Pain Behind the Badge,”
Dr. David Joseph, a police psychologist in Oakland, California, observes
that the self-sufficient “can do” attitude toward problem-solving that
serves officers so well on the street
can sometimes be a detriment in facing emotional warning signs. The belief that you “can fix any problems
that come up” may cause you to delay
or avoid seeking outside help when it
is critically needed for the challenges
you face.
In reality, Joseph says, if symptoms like those listed above persist
for more than two weeks, professional
intervention may be in order.
CONSIDER A YEARLY “PSYCH CHECK”
The police-run website, www.badgeoflife.com, devoted to psychological survival for officers, recommends
that cops “visit a mental health professional once a year, with the same
diligence they get their teeth cleaned
or go for an annual physical examination.”
Dr. John Violanti, a retired New
York trooper who has written several
books on law enforcement stress and
trauma, endorses this idea as “a possible useful tool in preventing fully developed PTSD and possible maladaptive coping,” such as self-destructive
behavior. “In a sense,” he says, an
annual mental health prescription “is
‘inoculation’ against future psychological problems.”
Lewinski agrees. Committing to
the ritual of a yearly psych check
“forces you to focus on what’s going on in your life, to take stock of
yourself and how you’re doing,” he
explains. “Without that obligation,
when do we take time to evaluate our
mental health and our relationships?”
Anderson points out, however,
that before officers can overcome
their “inherent distrust of mental
health services” and seek counseling,
no matter how distressed they may be,
they usually need assurance of “strict
confidentiality.” Most will engage in a
productive meeting only if the counselor involved pledges not to report
back to the officer’s department anything discussed in the session, or even
that a visit was made.
Generally, she says, the confidentiality of what’s revealed to an independent, licensed therapist is protected
under the Supreme Court decision
of Jaffe v. Redmond (1996). But before discussing problems, an officer
should get in writing from the therapist a precise clarification of the limits
of confidentiality. Otherwise, what’s
said may be subpoenaed. Normally,
legal privilege is not extended to fitness-for-duty evaluations or peercounselor conversations.
INTERVENE SUPPORTIVELY
Often troubled officers won’t – or
can’t evaluate themselves critically
see SUICIDE, page 22
21
from SUICIDE, page 21
enough to confirm the need for help.
In Anderson’s words, cops “are champions at the art of emotional coverup.” More likely than not, it will take
an astute friend, family member, supervisor, or fellow officer to spot that
an officer is on the slippery slope of
deterioration.
“If you see warning signs in another officer, it can literally be a life-saving show of friendship and concern
for you to intervene,” Lewinski says.
“The primary resource for an officer
in need has always been fellow officers who step forward and throw him
or her a lifeline. Changing destructive
behavior is always easier when you
have someone willing to work with
you on it.
“You need to be direct, perhaps
even harsh, in laying out the negative
behavior you’re seeing and the consequences it’s having on the officer and
other people around him. But your
directness needs to be expressed with
some sensitivity in a way that is encouraging and supportive rather than
just blatant criticism. He needs to
know that you’re going to be there for
him and help him find the resources
that can lead him out of the woods.
“Of course, ultimately the affected officer has to make the decision to
do some things differently in his life.
Once he moves out of denial and accepts that he needs to change, then he
opens up numerous possibilities for
creating positive change.”
22
Michigan Trooper
LOBBY YOUR DEPARTMENT
The old attitude among agencies
regarding any emotional problems
officers might have was ‘If you can’t
stand the heat, get out of the kitchen,’” Lewinski says. “Fortunately, that
is changing.”
Progressive departments are now
instituting such services as:
• Police suicide prevention training
for recruits, in-service personnel,
and management at all levels
• Family seminars and support
groups to discuss relationship
problems, communication skills,
and conflict resolution
• Stress awareness programs
• Methods for tracking high-risk
officers and getting them professional intervention when needed.
Still, Lewinski laments, “there remain many agencies that do not understand that they have an obligation
to help their officers who are out there
protecting people.
“Officers need more than cars and
guns to do their job well and come
home safely at the end of their shift.
Agencies need to be lobbied vigorously to proactively provide services
that address their officers’ psychological well-being. It’s an important way
of saying, ‘We appreciate who you are
and we will help make the most of
working for us.’”
This article was originally published July 8, 2008 and is reprinted
with permission. To register for a free
subscription to this e-newsletter, visit
www.forcesciencenews.com or e-mail
sb@forcescience.org.
from LAKEVIEW, page 7
tor. Trooper Parker is a Small Squad
Tactics instructor. Trooper Parker is
a Laser instructor. With all of these
talents we’re still waiting for some
P.I.T. training, taser training, and Tpr.
Sowa told me the other day he would
like the Department to teach him to
fly helicopters.
A few years ago, our dispatch center became a separate entity from the
Sheriff ’s Office (finally!). With that,
they have purchased and installed
several in-car computers for our patrol cars. Hey look … we are catching up with technology. Soon, maybe
this decade, almost all of our cars will
have a computer. Speaking of cars,
can we borrow a slick-top or semimarked for traffic duties? Now for some stats ... We have averaged roughly 3,800 complaints per
year for the last few years. Of those,
almost 25% are traffic crashes (a lot
of car vs. deer). The rest are criminal,
non-criminal, and civil complaints.
For those of you not familiar with
Montucky we handle an above average amount of CSC investigations. As
mentioned earlier, we are responsible
for two prisons in Montcalm County.
Historically, we have had little time
for proactive traffic patrols. Recently
our lieutenant has been rotating a
couple of troopers per pay period as
dedicated “traffic” cars. We have 12
plus miles of freeway (US-131) running through our area and over 105
miles of “M” roads. The average
trooper’s age at the Post is almost 38
years with an average of 10.5 years
of service. The “Stripes” and above,
average almost 46-years-old with 18
years of service. Prior to opening the
Sheridan Detachment we averaged
1.5 responses to the southern part of
the County per day. Some of the areas
saw us as little as once every twelve
days! Now, hardly a day goes by that
I don’t hear someone thanking us for
being around. Are you getting to all of
your Post area? Trust me, the people
will thank you. Now you know a little
bit about Lakeview. Be safe!
Honor Detachment News
This is an e-mail sent by Tpr. Rick Doehring to the many friends and family members of the late Tpr. Blair DuVall.
For those of you that do not
know, I am Rick Doehring, and I was
fortunate enough to be Blair’s partner
for the past nine years. Several weeks
ago, JoAnn asked that I compose an
e-mail in regard to our (JoAnn and I)
sorting and packing Blair’s items that
were in our office. I told her that I
would and will attempt to describe it
as best as I can. As a disclaimer, please
do not expect the same high quality
as you get with JoAnn’s e-mail. Before
the thought of removing Blair’s items
from the Honor Office came to be,
another difficult task was completed
a month earlier. For those of you not
with the State Police, our patrol cars
are leased and a certain amount of
miles need to be put on the cars each
month. If this is not done, the post
could lose that car. Blair had been in
the hospital approximately a month
and his patrol car had not been driven. The car needed to go back to Traverse City so that some miles could be
put on it. Before taking it back, I had
to remove his items from the car. For
Blair and I, our cars are our offices
and we carry our equipment and items
we need with us in that car, where it
stays. JoAnn and I decided not to tell
Blair about this right away because we
did not want him to feel we were giving up on him. Everyone at the Traverse City Post was worried about the
same thing and kept reminding us to
tell Blair that this was only temporary.
His car is his car.
The afternoon came for me to go
and remove his items from the car. I
drove his car to our office so that I
could put his items in the office, at his
desk. The feeling of taking his items
from that car made me feel very uneasy. This was Blair’s personal domain
and I felt as if I was treading into that
domain. We had each rode with each
other and each of us set our cars up
the way we wanted them. Of course,
knowing Blair, everything was in its
proper order and in a certain place.
From his clipboard next to his seat
and flashlight on his seat, to his own
personal lifejacket and 100 feet of
nylon rope that he kept in the trunk.
Each item tucked into a particular
spot. I removed each of the items and
placed them at or around his desk in
the office. There they would stay until
he came back and put them back into
the car the way he wanted them. Unfortunately, that day would not come.
On the day of Blair’s funeral, I
drove his car in the procession. Everybody knew Blair’s car by the “35”
that was on the overhead “bubble.”
At the conclusion of the service,
I was approached and handed the
bubble with the “35” on it and noticed that it had been replaced with a
generic bubble. 7135, Blair’s call sign,
had been retired. I took the bubble to
our office where it is displayed today
on the shelf above our computer for
everyone to see.
After Blair passed, I had a very
hard time spending any time in that
office. Normally, we did not work the
same shift and would only see each
other in passing in the office. But
there was still a lot that was now missing. I would find myself just looking
around and remembering conversations we had while sitting in our office. Often, people would stop in to
talk about Blair and I would spend
an hour or two with people. It was
not uncommon for one to walk in as
another was leaving. After awhile, I
would just go to the Benzie Sheriff ’s
Office and do reports there so that I
could try and concentrate. Even other
officers that would stop into the office would just look around and comment that they just could not believe
he was gone. Nothing changed in the
office and nothing was moved for a
month and a half.
JoAnn and I had spoken as she
wanted to come help collect and pack
Blair’s items. We picked a date and
spent the afternoon going through
his things and talking. Five hours
and a few tears later, we were done.
It was ironic looking at a 20-plus year
career packed into several boxes. The
office looked so empty! His desk was
cleared off and only a few manuals were left on his shelf. Gone were
the “Far Side” cartoons and notes
that had been there. The desk drawers that had been so well-organized
were empty. His clipboard and notebook that had been on the desk, gone.
It was as if he had never been there.
Yet he was everywhere I looked in
there. So many little memories that
will never go away no matter what
was taken out. But another feeling
also came over me as I looked at the
empty space. I did not want that space
to stay empty. I felt that the time had
come to start the process of finding
someone else to come into the office.
I cannot say partner or someone to fill
the space because no one will every
“fill” that space. But it was time for
someone else to be there. I decided
that I would call the Post Commander
and the District Captain the next day
and tell them that I was ready.
The next day, I went to the office. Before making the call, I decided
to check out the MSP Intranet. This
is where activity around the State,
memos and job postings are listed. As
I was looking, there it was, a posting
for the opening at the Honor Resident
Trooper position. I thought to myself
about how ironic that was! I did not
even have to make the call!
At this time, letters are being accepted for those troopers interested in
coming to Honor. The person selected
will never be able to fill Blair’s shoes
and will be scrutinized as “Blair’s replacement.” But that person will also
have the benefit of coming to a community that loved Blair and will love
the new trooper if that trooper shows
that same love and respect that Blair
did for this community.
23
Back In The Day...
Bay City, Michigan, Post Moved to New Location, Gets Better Home
By: State Trooper
December 1920
The Bay City Post of the Michigan
State Police, by January 1, 1920, will
be in its new home on the outskirts of
the city, on US-23.
The old Post was located in a residence in the heart of the City. The
new Post is on a piece of countyowned land out where considerable
room is available and where one of
the main Eastern Michigan highways
passes the door.
One of the old barrack buildings
at East Lansing, which had served as
the Headquarters Post virtually since
the inception of the organization, has
been razed in sections, loaded on a flat
car, and dispatched to Bay City. Reassembled, with a new plaster-board interior and lots of fresh paint, inside
and out, it will make a most attractive
and comfortable post.
The Post is in command of Lt.
Joseph Carney, and he and his men
have built plenty of good will for the
organization in the Bay City territory.
When it became necessary to relocate
the Post and Commissioner Olander
was considering moving it elsewhere
in the Bay county territory, an expression in tribute to the Post was made
editorially by the Bay City Times.
Later, the board of supervisors of
the County, in their annual two-week
fall session, not only provided the land
for the relocation of the Post but appropriated $2,000 in aid to cover expenses in moving it from the City to
the nearby site on one of the County
highways.
The action of the supervisors, together with the editorial endorsement
of the Michigan State Police, particularly the Bay City detachment, by the
Bay City Times, is of particular interest
and of considerable significance in
24
Michigan Trooper
that this same county, not so many
years ago, voted to abolish the Michigan State Police. Friendships have
replaced the old sentiment, however,
and the worth of the organization has
been generally proven.
How exercised the metropolitan
newspaper of that area became over
the possibility of losing the detachment is indicated in the following
editorial in the Bay City Times:
“The value of a State Police
Post to Bay City and Bay County is known and recognized by
the majority of citizens. These
good-looking, fearless minions
of law and order do more to
prevent crime in this section
than any other body of law enforcement officers. They have
no axes to grind and they favor
no one – their duty is to see
that the laws are enforced and
that, if a crime is committed,
the culprit is captured, regardless of who he is or where he
may be. And let it be said to
their credit that they almost always get their man.
“And now it appears that Bay
City is to lose the troopers because of the lack of proper
quarters of a permanent nature. The funds in the State
Department of Public Safety
are low, and economy must
be the watchword. If the State
had permanent barracks here,
things might be different. But
a house must be rented, meals
must be paid for at hotels,
etc. And all that costs money.
A piece of land has been offered to the troopers free of
charge if they will build on it,
but there are no funds to put
up the home.
“The Board of Supervisors
recognize the value of the
State Troopers to the County,
as was demonstrated at the
session previous to the present one, when a resolution was
drawn commending the work
of these men and requesting that they be left here. Chief of
Police Davis has been quoted,
to the effect, that their loss to
Bay City would be a severe one.
But nothing has been done by
the County authorities to see
that provisions are made to retain the Post in Bay County.
“Right now seems a logical
time to act. The supervisors are
in session, and will be working
on the budget. An item should
be included that would provide
funds to establish a permanent
post here. No large outlay of
money would be required. The
Ways and Means Committee
should see that the matter is
settled once and for all.
“Other Counties are asking
for the troopers and offering
to provide barracks and pay
their salaries. Bay has offered
nothing. If some action is not
taken, local citizens will awake
some day to find that the State
Department of Public Safety
has transferred the Post, bag
and baggage, to some other
county.”
MICHIGAN TO BE RE-DISTRICTED
The western district of the Michigan State Police, of which Capt.
Archie Downing has recently been
made commanding officer, has been
extended to include the Manistee Post.
Posts comprising that district, in addition to Manistee, are: Grand Haven,
Paw Paw, and White Pigeon.
In the establishment of the district, a plan is seen ahead, whereby the
entire state will be separated into four
districts, each with a commanding
officer in charge who will also serve
as commanding officer of one of the
posts in his own district.
That the lower peninsula of Michigan will eventually contain three districts, as seen from the plan, known
to be entertained to supplement the
string of border posts up either side
of the State and across the southern
border with a line of posts extending
up the center of the State.
That the lower peninsula will
come to be divided into the western,
eastern, and northern district, with Lt.
Demaray recently transferred to that
responsibility. With Capt. Downing
at Paw Paw in charge of the western
district, two of the four districts are
established and allotted. Two promotions stand ahead for the commanding officers of some of the other
posts falling in the subsequent new
districts.
Historically Speaking:
No Slackers Were Allowed in 1918
By: James Mann, The Ann Arbor News
When the United States entered World War I, the government
instituted the draft to secure the
manpower needed for the armed
forces.
At the time, this was a popular
action and many young men willingly registered for the draft. Those
who failed to register were looked
upon as cowards or traitors, and
were known as slackers. There was
little sympathy for them.
At about 6:15 p.m., on Saturday,
August 24, 1918, members of the
Michigan National Guard and State
Police arrived in Ypsilanti to search
for slackers. Sentries were posted
on all roads leading into the City,
and all card carrying young men
of draft age, 21-31 were stopped.
The young men were asked to show
their registration card, which they
were to carry at all times.
Those who failed to show their
cards were ordered to report to City
Hall. There they had an opportunity to make their explanations. As
the evening progressed, the line of
cars and carriages in front of City
Hall increased, until it extended the
length of North Huron Street.
“And while the visitors coming
in to the city were going to City Hall
in scores, the squad of police assigned city duty started in to comb
the streets,” reported The Daily Ypsilanti Press of August 26, 1918.
“Every young man who failed to
produce required evidence as to his
status in the draft was escorted to
one of several central points where
a motor patrol soon picked him up
for a ride to the office of Chief of
Police Charles Cain where he took
his place in a long line and awaited
his turn to satisfy officers who were
in charge of the investigation,” reported continued.
“It did not make any difference
whether the young man had his lady
friend with him or not. The man in
khaki was firm and was also very
nice, but nevertheless that young
man had to come across and satisfy
the solider boy that he was all right
before he was allowed to go on his
way, many of them having to make
the trip to City Hall while the young
lady friend had to shift for herself
until his return,” noted The Ypsilanti Record of August 29, 1918
It was estimated that some 300
young men were caught in the net,
and of these, not one was a slacker.
Every young man questioned had
done his duty and had registered
for the draft.
At City Hall, as each young
man was released, he was issued a
pass that protected him for the rest
of the evening – if he was lucky
enough to have been taken in early
and there was still time to enjoy the
company of friends.
“The young man also reflected
credit upon the City by the gentlemanly manner n which they accepted their lot and their attitude
toward officers,” noted The Ypsilanti
Daily Press.
25
2008 Michigan State Fair – 8/22 thru 9/1
After speaking with Tpr. Andrea Barber (Detroit Post), the little girl
calmed down and her parents were eventually found.
Trooper Andrea Barber (Detroit Post) consoles a scared
and lost little girl at the State Fair.
Photos by:
Ray Holt,
Tpr. Mike Tilley,
D/Tpr. Sarah Krebs
Trooper Lizabeth Hunt (Bay City Post) helping a lost child.
2008 Michigan State Fair personnel.
26
Michigan Trooper
Forensic artist Heather Johnson (Lansing Lab) makes this
girl’s face into an artistic creation!
(l-r): Trooper Aaron Martin (Lapeer Post), MSP mascot “Metro,” Sgt.
Jeff White (Reed City Post), and Tpr. Lizabeth Hunt (Bay City Post).
D/Tpr. Sarah Krebs (Second District Fugitive Team) spent time
using her forensic artist skills on this young boy at the State
Fair.
Back row (l-r): Tpr. Rob Metivier (Grand Haven Post), Tpr. Scott
McMannus (Cadillac Post), Tpr. Dan Parker (Lakeview Post),
Sgt. Jeff Smith (Metro North Post), Tpr. Don Dutcher
(Mt. Pleasant Post), and Tpr. Aaron Martin (Lapeer Post).
Front row (l-r): Tpr. Lizabeth Hunt (Bay City Post), Tpr. Tom
Vaughn (Flint Post), Sgt. Jeff White (Reed City Post), Tpr. Mike
Tilley (Gaylord Post), Tpr. Tony Weldy (Jonesville Post), and
Tpr. Andy Williams (Bridgman Post).
27
Michigan Law Enforcement Gets New
Tool to Find Missing Kids and Fugitives
Digital Billboards Will Post AMBER Alerts Statewide
Michigan’s largest outdoor advertising companies announced a statewide program to help law enforcement agencies find missing children
and suspected criminals by broadcasting AMBER Alerts and photographs
of wanted fugitives on digital billboards.
Under the program, member companies of the Outdoor Advertising
Association of Michigan (OAAM),
which includes CBS Outdoor and Lamar Advertising Co., along with Adams Outdoor Advertising, will volunteer their digital billboards across the
State when AMBER Alerts are issued.
The companies will also use their digital billboards to broadcast the photographs and names of fugitives wanted
by the FBI and local police when a
suspect is believed to be in the area.
“As I’m sure any law enforcement
official would tell you, time is precious in these cases,” said Tom Carroll, president of the Detroit-based
Outdoor Advertising Association
of Michigan, and vice president of
Michigan Region for CBS Outdoor.
“When an Amber Alert is issued or
local law enforcement gets word a
dangerous criminal is in the area, we
can have information up on our digital billboards in a matter of minutes.”
Though some billboard companies periodically use digital billboards
for law enforcement purposes, this
program formalizes a commitment
from the major Michigan billboard
companies that have digital signs. Today’s announcement was welcomed
by public safety and elected officials
across Michigan including Lansing,
Saginaw, and Port Huron.
“In these tight budget times, it’s
important for law enforcement to find
28
Michigan Trooper
new ways of partnering with private
entities to boost public safety,” said
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero. “The
efforts of Michigan’s leading billboard companies to catch criminals
and find missing children is a perfect
example of the kind of partnership
that will help keep Lansing, and other
cities, safe.”
Using digital billboards to fight
crime has a proven track record of
success. Crime Stoppers is a 501(c)3
nonprofit international organization
funded by local donations which has
operated in Saginaw and Bay Counties
since the 1970s. In the past two years,
the program has caught a number of
suspects after placing their picture on
local digital billboards.
“The digital billboards have been a
huge help,” said Bart R. Dexter, Crime
Stoppers Coordinator. “We’ve had a
number of instances where we put
a suspect’s picture up on a billboard,
and within minutes, we’re getting calls
from neighbors, coworkers, and even
family members.”
When an AMBER Alert is issued
or police officials believe a suspect is
in a specific area, all pertinent information will be sent to the billboard
companies – description of the suspect or missing child, a phone number
to call with tips, suspected crime, and
a photo or photos if available. The
companies use electronic templates to
quickly create a digital image, which
can be posted on the digital billboards
within moments.
“It’s a tremendous public service to
have this commitment from all of the
major billboard companies in Michigan that have digital signs,” said Chief
Mark Alley, Lansing Police Department. “Having the ability to quickly
get information, including pictures,
to motorists where the suspect could
be traveling will be an enormous help
in saving kids and catching criminals
when time is of the essence.”
Lamar, Adams, and CBS own
a combined 32 digital billboards in
Michigan in the areas of Ann Arbor,
Grand Rapids, Detroit, Kalamazoo,
Lansing, Mt. Pleasant, Port Huron,
Saginaw, Bay City, and Traverse City.
“This is another example of the
important public service role Michigan’s billboard companies play in the
local community,” said William Jackson, manager, real estate and government affairs for Adams Outdoor
Advertising – Lansing. “Over the
years, our efforts have helped feed the
hungry, encouraged motorists to drive
safely, and assisted charities in raising
money.”
“Our goal is to help authorities apprehend potentially dangerous criminals and help keep our streets safe,”
said Mark Sherwood, Vice President
and Regional Manager of Lamar
Advertising. Lamar has donated billboards to help the Crime Stoppers
campaign in the past. “I hope the success billboards have had in catching
suspects in the Tri-Cities area is replicated throughout the State.”
The Crime Awareness and Prevention Through a Unified Reporting
Effort (C.A.P.T.U.R.E.) program in
Port Huron and St. Clair Counties can
attribute the apprehension of 20 suspects in 2007 (out of 30 total arrests)
to the use of digital billboards urging
people to call their tip line.
“These billboards are located
throughout the city in high traffic areas; people obviously pay attention to
them and call us with tips,” said Lt.
Dennis Maurey from C.A.P.T.U.R.E.
“Digital billboards provide us a network to quickly get the word out that
we wouldn’t otherwise have.”
Digital Billboards in Michigan
Ann Arbor
US-23 near Whitmore Lake Road
Detroit Area
M-39 north of West Chicago Road
I-75 north of 6 Mile Road
I-75 north of 8 Mile Road
I-275 north of Ecorse
I-94 at Inkster Road
I-96 east of Wixom Road
I-94 at 14 Mile Road
Grand Rapids
US-131 north of 28th Street
Kalamazoo
5319 South Westnedge Avenue
Lansing
Corner of Grand River and Coolidge Avenue
511 Hazel Street near the intersection of I-496 and Cedar Street
I-496 near Pennsylvania Avenue
Mt. Pleasant
Business Route US-27 south of M-20 (two signs)
Port Huron
10th Street north of Lapeer
M-25 south of Carrigan
I-94 north of the Blue Water Bridge
24th Street north of White
Pine Grove at I-94
Saginaw Area
I-75, 2.7 miles north of US-10, .2 miles north of Wilder Road
I-75 north of M-46
I-675 at Davenport Exit
Tittabawasee Road, west of Bay Road
I-75 south of Vienna Road (Clio)
M-46 and Shields Drive
M-84 north of Tittabawasee Road
M-74 south of Tittabawasee Road
Traverse City
US-31 at 3 Mile Road (two signs)
South Airport Road west of Barlow
29
117 th Recruit School
Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary
August 23, 2008, marked the 10 Year Anniversary for members of the 117th Trooper
Recruit School. Former classmates Tpr. Scott
Rothermel (off-duty disability retirement) and
Tpr. Todd Parsons (Lansing Post) arranged
for a reunion at Lake Lansing Park in Ingham
County on Sunday, August 24, 2008. Classmates, along with other family members, caught
up with one another on a beautiful afternoon
and reminisced about the many memories that
were made during their time at the Michigan
State Police Training Academy.
Trooper Scott Rothermel (Ret.) and Sgt. Michele Dunlap (Governor’s Detail) share a laugh as they recall a memory from the 117th
Trooper Recruit School.
Trooper Mike Vranish
(Houghton Lake Post)
with his son, Michael.
117 Recruit School Members (l-r): Sgt. Jeff Yonker (Major Case), Tpr. Todd
Parsons (Lansing Post), Tpr. Mike Vranish (Houghton Lake Post), Sgt. Brody
Boucher (Battle Creek Post), S/Sgt. Brett Sojda (Firearms Unit - Sterling Heights
Lab), Tpr. Kevin Curtis (Metro South Post), Tpr. Scott Rothermel (Ret.), Tpr. Kellie
Nightlinger (Ret. - now with the DNR), Tpr. Brenda Hoffmann (Richmond Post), and
Sgt. Michele Dunlap (Governor’s Detail).
th
30
Michigan Trooper
Trooper Kevin Curtis (Metro South Post)
with his wife, Kelly, and their three children,
Natalie, Clay, and baby Abigail.
117th Fast Facts
* On August 23, 1998, the 117th Trooper Recruit
School began with 121 Recruits. There were 108
males and 13 females.
* On January 8, 1999, 96 Recruits completed the
20-week school and were sworn in as Michigan State Police Troopers. 85 were males and
11 were females.
* Ten members have since been promoted to
sergeants. Other members have become specialized in various areas within the Department, such as: Canine, ES Team, Underwater
Recovery, Motorcycle Unit, and Lab, just to
name a few.
* Nine members are no longer with the Department due to various reasons (resigning, sought
other employment, off-duty disability, etc.).
* 87 members still remain. 78 are males and 9 are
females.
* Only 15 more years until retirement!!
Trooper Misty Long-Birgy (Newaygo Post), Tpr. Brenda Hoffmann
(Richmond Post), Tpr. Kellie Nightlinger (Ret. - now works for the
DNR), and Sgt. Michele Dunlap (Governor’s Detail).
Front Row (l-r): Tpr. Misty LongBirgy (Newaygo Post) and
Tpr. Scott Rothermel (Ret.)
Back Row (l-r): Tpr. Chris Croley
(Metro North Post), Tpr. Kevin
Curtis (Metro South Post), Sgt.
Michele Dunlap (Governor’s Detail),
Tpr. Kellie Nightlinger (Ret. - now
works for the DNR), Sgt. Brody
Boucher (Battle Creek Post), Tpr.
Brenda Hoffmann (Richmond Post),
and Tpr. Todd Parsons (Lansing
Post).
31
Law Enforcement Torch Run
Mr. Charlie Fick (shown on page 33)
always gives a generous donation and
allows us to stay in his Super 8 hotel
free of charge year after year.
This year we ran into a bridge out
near Mount Pleasant. The detour
would have added several miles to our
trip and we were on time restraints.
The construction crew had a small
boat (with a hole in it) that they used
to get back and forth across the river.
Sergeant Kevin Sweeney and I loaded
the runners on that leg (Tpr. Liz Hunt
– with her husband Tpr. Doug Hunt
Tpr. Craig Felix
Brighton Post
and daughter, Haley) into the boat
and walked the boat across the river.
Once on the other side, the runners
Every year for the past 26 years,
finished their leg on time. the Michigan State Police has had
The Midnight Madness run in Lanmembers run the Law Enforcement
sing
included recruits and staff from
Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olymthe 121st Trooper Recruit School,
pics. The LETR’s goal is to provide
members of the 82nd Mid-Michiawareness and funding for Special
gan Police Academy, and many other
Olympics. The 2008 MSP team conmembers of the MSP and area desisted of F/Lt. John Card (team cappartments.
A big thanks goes to Tpr.
tain and Post Commander of the Bay
Brody
Boucher
(Lansing Post) who
City Post), D/F/Lt. John Porter (Sixth
took the initiative to arrange for buses
District Headquarters), Sgt. Kevin
from Dean Trailways to transport the
Sweeney (Emergency Management
runners back after the run. and Homeland Security Division), Tpr.
Everyone on the team contributes
Lizabeth Hunt (Bay City
to the best of their ability.
Post), Tpr. Carissa Horan
But by the end of the week
(Lansing Post), and myself.
we were all sleep deprived
The Fraternal Order of
and sore. A question that
Police and the Michigan
was brought up around
Department of Corrections
the end of the week was if
both have teams that run
someone wanted to punch
with us. We run the Central
another team member,
Route, which is a 750 mile
would it be considered dorelay that began in Copper
mestic violence because we
Harbor on Monday, Separe living together on the
tember 8, 2008, went into
RV? Hmmm.... Another year on the
the City of Detroit and
books for Central Route,
ended in Sterling Heights
but don’t forget about the
on Friday, September 12,
2008. Together there are The Central Route team at Copper Harbor (l-r): Sgt. Kevin Sweeney Polar Plunges (various
18 runners (six from each (Emergency Management and Homeland Security), F/Lt. John Card weekends in the winter) and
(Bay City Post), Tpr. Lizabeth Hunt (Bay City Post), Tpr. Craig Felix the Copper Cup Hockey
team) who cover every step (Brighton Post), D/F/Lt. John Porter (Sixth District HeadquarTournament (in March) for
ters), and Tpr. Carissa Horan (Lansing Post).
along the way.
Our tradition has been to run the
Mackinac Island eight mile run on the
Saturday before the Torch Run starts
(as if we don’t run enough during the
next week). Sergeant Kevin Sweeney
took fourth place overall on that run
(oh, by the way, he set a goal for himself and personally ran 100 miles that
week!). A special thanks to Mr. and
Mrs. Spata (parents of Tpr. Joseph
Brodeur, Ypsilanti Post) for their hospitality and allowing the team to stay
with them on the island again.
Five members of the MSP Underwater Recovery Unit swam the
Straits of Mackinaw on Wednesday,
September 10, 2008. This year the
water was smoother than last, but it
always proves to be a difficult swim.
This year’s swimmers were: Sgt. Larry
Schloegl (head of Underwater Recovery Unit), Tpr. Jennifer Hodgson
(Brighton Post), Tpr. Randy Parros
(Detroit Post), Tpr. Dale Girke (Flint
Post), and Tpr. Craig Dorenbecker
(St. Ignace Post). We stop along our route in various cities and towns and sell t-shirts
and raffle tickets. The locals wait for
us to come and show their support.
32
Michigan Trooper
more fun things and to do that raise
money for Special Olympics. 2008 Central Route Team
F/Lt. John Card
(Bay City Post)
D/F/Lt. John Porter
(Sixth District Headquarters)
Sgt. Kevin Sweeney
(Emergency Management
and Homeland Security)
Tpr. Carissa Horan
(Lansing Post)
Tpr. Craig Felix
(Brighton Post)
Tpr. Lizabeth Hunt
(Bay City Post)
Recruits and staff members of the 121st Trooper Recruit School participated in the
Midnight Madness Run during the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.
Trooper Lizabeth Hunt (Bay City Post) leading the pack!
The Central Route Team carrying the
torch in Mt. Pleasant.
Troopers Lizabeth and Doug Hunt (Bay
City Post and Bridgeport Post, respectively), with their daughter, Haley, being
escorted across the river in the “boat
with the hole!”
The Central Route Team with Mr. Charlie Fick, owner of the Super 8 Motel. Mr. Fick
graciously allows the MSP LETR team to stay for free every year!
see LETR, page 34
33
from LETR, page 33
2008 Dive Team
(Swim the Straights)
Tpr. Craig Dorenbecker
(St. Ignace Post)
Tpr. Jennifer Hodgson
(Brighton Post)
Tpr. Dale Girke
(Flint Post)
Tpr. Randy Parros
(Detroit Post)
The Central Route Team with the Mackinac Bridge in the background.
The Dive Team going across the Straits and preparing for their swim.
Trooper Craig Dorenbecker (St. Ignace Post) helps Tpr. Randy
Parros (Detroit Post) with his dive equipment.
121st Recruit School lined up on the Capitol steps waiting
for the Midnight Madness run.
34
Michigan Trooper
Mt. Pleasant Youth Academy
with assistance from local fire and
police specialists. This year’s school
ran from July 7 through July 31, 2008.
Tpr. Joshua Lator
Mt. Pleasant Post
The Mt. Pleasant Youth Services
Unit has officers from the Michigan
State Police, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Isabella County Sheriff ’s
Office, and the Saginaw Chippewa
Tribal Police Department. This year
was our 8th Annual Youth Police
Academy, of which I have been a part
of for three years.
The academy runs the entire
month of July with approximately 31
cadets who are hand-selected from Isabella County Schools. The cadets are
entering sixth through ninth grades,
and over 250 children have graduated
from this program in the last eight
years.
The idea of this academy is not to
get the kids to be police officers, but
to encourage lives of character and
integrity. The academy is paramilitary
and strict in regards to the “sir-yessir” style of business we in law enforcement are accustomed to.
Kids are instructed in defensive
tactics, driving, firearms, investigation, criminal law, court process, dispatch procedure, traffic crash investigation, physical training, fire safety,
traffic patrols, water safety, and rescue
along with many other areas.
All classes are hands-on and instructed by the members of the unit
(l-r) Sergeant Doug LaLone (Mt. Pleasant Police Department) and director of the Youth
Services Unit, Cadet David Merrill, and Tpr. Joshua Lator (Mt. Pleasant Post). The class
is instructed to vote for the “Most Outstanding Cadet Award,” and Cadet David Merrill
was the person they felt represented the character and image of their graduating class
and could also represent them at community events to speak on their behalf.
Photos by
Ryan Evon
Morning Sun
This young man was the little
brother of one of this year’s
graduates. He approached
Tpr. Joshua Lator (Mt. Pleasant
Post) to ask if he thought that
he could be a cadet someday.
In true trooper form, Tpr. Lator
encouraged him to maintain a
good attitude in school and to
complete an application when he
was old enough.
35
The Ironman Triathlon, The Pursuit of
Excellence, and the Michigan State Police
D/F/Lt. Ron Hnilica (Ret.)
85th Recruit School
There are times over life that
epiphanies occur.
Mine was this past Labor Day
weekend. The setting was the Ironman Triathlon in Louisville, Kentucky.
Jack Taeff and Steve Unruh were two
of about 2,000 participants. You may
recognize them as fellow Michigan
State Police troopers as Jack is stationed at the Detroit Post and Steve
at Metro North Post. I want not only to express my
pride and admiration for their accomplishment, but also to draw an
analogy between the dedication and
commitment of these athletes and
the same attributes I’ve observed in
the Michigan State Police.
It all began a year ago, when Jack
and Steve told my wife Sandy (Jack’s
mom) and I that they registered for
the Ironman competition. We didn’t
give it much thought at the time, but
soon noticed the intense dedication to
a training regimen and a most definite
diet change.
We first met Steve and his wife,
Lynette, at Jack and his wife, Karen’s,
home during last year’s holidays.
Again, talk of training and things
Ironman became topics of conversation. We also noticed several huge reference books about triathlon training
36
Michigan Trooper
schedules, suggested workouts, and letes with the approach of their special day.
healthy eating. Let’s just do this...I’m ready...I can’t
As 2008 progressed, the number
stand
this waiting around… were the
and intensity of training hours inmost
common comments we overcreased. It became the norm to exheard.
pect 5-7 hours per day in some swimEvent day, August 31, 2008, began
run-bike combination. Workouts
as
a
comfortable 68 degrees at dawn
were six days a week with one day
with
2,000 athletes ready to face their
(usually Monday) as a recovery day.
Of course, Jack and Steve’s training individual aspirations, anticipations,
regimen required a back-up team ef- and doubts. Finally, at 6:50 a.m., the first swimfort, especially from Karen, Lynette,
mers
entered the water. The field inand other relatives, especially “grand”
cluded
12-15 professional Ironman
moms (and they were!) who watched
triathletes
competing for the $10,000
the little ones when both mom and
first-place
prize, one each to the windad either worked or trained. ning
man
and
woman. At 7 a.m., the
Event weekend came all too rapidly. Most athletes arrived a couple 1,900 plus Ironman triathletes (the
of days prior to the Ironman to an ones with real jobs) entered the waoverwhelming welcome in downtown ter, in designated lines, until all were
Louisville (pronounced “Louieville” swimming the 2.4 mile course. In 37
- don’t ever forget that if you visit minutes all of the athletes were in the
water - an amazing feat in itself.
there!).
They were encouraged by tremenIt didn’t take long to figure out
who Louisville’s celebrities were this dous noise and cheering from their
weekend, with all the signs, personal- supporters and their new Louisville
ized t-shirts and area business promo- friends. Sandy and I were among the 2,100
tions.
volunteers.
No kidding, that many
Like Jack and Steve, many athletes
people
really
are needed to put on a
came with their special back-up teams
successful
Ironman.
We worked the
-- support groups of spouses, relatransition lane from the bike to the
tives, and friends.
run. At this point in the day (about 1
We
watched
athletes
practice
swimming
in the “less
than clean”
Ohio River,
and bike and
run around
the city two
days prior
to the event.
We even felt
the nervous
anticipation Trooper Steve Unruh (shirt) (Metro North Post) and Tpr. Jack Taeff
of the ath- (no shirt) (Detroit Post) ready to start the 2.4 mile Ironman swim.
The real winners of
this competition were all
the athletes who endured
endless months of training to put forth better
than their best effort to
compete in this Ironman.
Regardless of finishing
time, if they finished at
all, the most compelling
aspect of their race was
their spirit and the journey
itself.
And every competitor
had their own heartwarm(l-r): Trooper Steve Unruh (Metro North Post) and Tpr. ing story.
Jack Taeff (Detroit Post) at the Ironman finish line.
The one I’ll share is
of a 33-year-old woman
p.m. for the first athletes to finish the competing in her first Ironman. She
112 mile bike ride - another amazing first enjoyed competitive running in
feat considering the heat and the Ken- her 20s, before developing a rare neutucky hills), the temperature reached rological disease. This disease, which
88 degrees. Later in the afternoon, it I can’t pronounce, makes her feet feel
would peak at 96 degrees. We couldn’t as if she is constantly walking on, in
even guess how many gallons of wa- her words, red hot coals. This conditer, Gatorade, or other liquids were tion confined her to a wheelchair, cost
her a job, and ended her running. Her
consumed during the entire event. We witnessed anguish, determina- doctors said that she would never run
tion, pain, concentration, frustration, again.
Her pain and depression became
humor, and anger (as the result of an
so unbearable that one night she
injury) - as athletes completed the bike
wrote a suicide note to her parents
course and transitioned to the 26.2
and placed it under her pillow where
mile marathon route. The age range
they would find it “after.” When she
of the triathletes was said to be 18 to
woke up, she decided that she was
78 with an average of 27 years. The
either going to die that morning or
common denominator was a desire
begin running again.
to finish, regardless of fatigue, injury,
Happily, she chose the latter and
or time of day (some athletes didn’t at 33, she competed in the Louisville
finish until after midnight). Ironman. After completing the swim
The finish line in downtown Louis and the 112-mile bike ride, she had to
ville was the place to be as triathletes go to the medical tent for treatment
completed the marathon portion of of her bleeding, blistered feet. When
the triathlon. The fastest male crossed the bleeding could not be stopped
the finish line at 8 hours and 38 min- after 45 minutes, the doctor would not
utes while the fastest female came in allow her on the marathon course. at 9 hours and 25 minutes. An excepBut she vowed to come back and
tional accomplishment considering I’m sure she will.
they racked up 140.6 miles swimming,
Hers is just one example of the
running, and biking.
spirit and courage we witnessed in
Jack and Steve both finished in very Louisville.
respectable times and they can tell you
So, back to the epiphany…
their individual stories. What’s imporWhile witnessing the Ironman, it
tant is that they took on the challenge struck me that these men and women,
and completed the Ironman. many first-time Ironman participants,
display a determination and courage
that will transfer to their daily lives or vice versa.
As I alluded to, the epiphany has
to do with those men and women
that are, or have been, Michigan State
troopers. Like the Ironman triathletes, they
take on personal challenges or set
goals that transfer to the workplace.
They want to, and do, serve the citizens of this State to the best of their
abilities and often “above and beyond.” This is why the Michigan State
Police has had, and continues to have,
a reputation for excellence. The Ironman is the analogy in this
article, but it could just as easily have
been the troopers who run the Torch
Run for charity, volunteer in a hospice,
lead a boy scout or 4-H group, or assist those that need transportation to
a medical facility. Or those who work
with their faith group to feed the hungry, volunteer as a big brother or sister, tutor, or otherwise contribute in
numerous untold ways to the Thin
Blue Line of Michigan.
You get the idea. Now I’ll go a little further out.
Have you seen the movie “The
Bucket List?” It is well worth the time
just to see the constant interplay between two of the greatest actors ever,
Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson.
The title refers to those things that
one wants to do before “kicking the
bucket.” We should all have some things
on our personal bucket list. Some
of yours, in one way or another, will
make you a better person for having
tried, and will, in many cases, benefit
others whose lives you touch, either
personally or professionally.
If you haven’t yet realized it, life
is fleeting. Do not hesitate to start on
your bucket list, regardless of your age. Again, congratulations to Jack and
Steve and to all of the other State
Troopers, retired and active, that continue to do things that actively enrich
their personal lives and, by extension,
the lives of others.
37
2008 Fletcher Match
Major Barry Getzen and Capt. Gary Nix appear at the left and right respectively in each of the photos below.
FIRST PLACE TEAM: Traffic Safety Division
MC Ofcr. Jennifer Stolberg – Alternate, MC Ofcr. Brett Black,
MC Sgt. Susan Fries, MC Sgt. Steve Harmon,
MC Sgt. Mike McLaughlin.
SECOND PLACE TEAM: 2nd District Team
Sgt. Mike Green, Tpr. Tom Mathis, Tpr. Joshua Henry,
Tpr. Matt Kiser - Alternate.
Tpr. Craig Ziecina (not pictured)
THIRD PLACE TEAM:
3rd District Team
Tpr. David Stoppa,
Tpr. Don Dutcher,
Tpr. Jim Abel, and
Tpr. Robert Blair.
MATCH WINNER: Tpr. Jim Abel – Mt. Pleasant Post.
38
Michigan Trooper
GUN WINNER: Sgt. Michael Benjamin –
Special Operations Division – ES Team.
2008 Monroe County Fair – 7/9 thru 7/13
MSP Monroe personnel (l to r): Tpr. Marc Moore, Sgt. Scott Beard, Tpr. Stephen Bolo, F/Lt. Mary Kapp, Tpr. Jonathan Wickwire,
Tpr. Bret Smith, Tpr. Sharon McDonald.
Lower row (l to r): Tpr. Sharon McDonald,
Tpr. Marc Moore, Tpr. Jonathan Wickwire,
Sgt. Scott Beard. Upper row (l to r): Tpr. Stephen Borello, F/Lt. Mary Kapp,
Tpr. Tressa Duffin, Tpr. Bret Smith.
The group photo in the middle of the
collage is the same as listed above.
Photos
courtesy of
Pamela Smith,
Finer Arts
Photography
Trooper Tressa Duffin (2nd District
Hometown Security Team)
A Blue Goose leads
the Clydesdales.
39
13th Annual MSP
Fall Color 5K Run & Walk
Event:
Location:
Date:
Participants:
Benefitting: 13th Annual Michigan State Police
Fall Color 5K Run/Walk
Maybury State Park
Saturday, September 20, 2008
225 runners and/or walkers
Thin Blue Line of Michigan and
the MSP Fallen Trooper Memorial
Photos by John Bates,
Second District
Regional Dispatch
A Blue Goose is parked near the registration area with
the Fall Color Run banner in the background.
Trooper Rose Ford (Richmond Post) and
D/Tpr. Adam Kolbas (SECID - Violent
Crimes) helping to check runners in at the
preregistration table.
Event Winners: John Tarkowski (Overall Male Winner), Laura Smaczniak (Top Law
Enforcement Female Winner), and Bob Bridges (Top Law Enforcement Male Winner).
Not pictured: Jennifer Hutchison (Overall Female Winner).
THE WINNERS ARE . . .
Chaplain Pete Nickel (Metro North Post)
saying a prayer before the race.
Name
Department
Age
Time
Pace
29
19:27.7 6:16/M
55
18:23.0 5:56/M
31
20:56.5 6:45/M
46
20:17.1 6:33/M
Overall Female Open Winner
Jennifer Hutchison
Overall Male Open Winner
John Tarkowski
Overall Female Law Enforcement Open Winner
Laura Smaczniak
Dept. of Homeland Security
Overall Male Law Enforcement Open Winner
Participants follow bagpiper Molly Wyber
to the start line.
40
Michigan Trooper
Bob Bridges
Federal Bureau Prisons
Warren Cousino High School girls cross country team participated in the event!
Trooper Mike Zarate (Metro North Post)
and his 19-month old son, Jason, helped
out by volunteering!
Trooper Scott Singleton’s
(Gaming Unit), daughters,
Anna (four months old)
and Allison (four years old)
were all smiles!
Trooper Andy Osborne (Metro South Post)
congratulates Robert Prehn with his medal
for the Male 70 and over division.
Participant Rick Schulz not only celebrated
his 85th birthday on the day of the race,
but he also travelled the furthest as he
came all the way from California. Laurie
Reinacher (Executive Director of the
Thin Blue Line of Michigan) gave him his
own birthday cake to celebrate!
Trooper Andy Osborne (Metro South Post)
lets two-year old Ben Ulmer check out his
patrol car.
Some of the MSP Personnel who participated or volunteered at this year’s MSP Fall
Color Run. Front Row (l to r): D/Tpr. Adam Kolbas (SECID - Violent Crimes), Tpr.
Derek Hoffmann (Richmond Post), Tpr. Rose Ford (Richmond Post), Tpr. Scott Singleton
(Gaming Unit), with daughter, Anna, and Tpr. Regina Margosian (Richmond Post). Back
Row (l to r): Tpr. Andy Osborne (Metro South Post), Tpr. Brenda Hoffmann (Richmond
Post), Tpr. Dawn Zonca (Metro North Post), Tpr. Randy Servia (Alpena Post), Tpr. John
Sholtz (Richmond Post), Tpr. Kevin Primel (Richmond Post), Tpr. Paul Martinez (Metro
North Post), and Sgt. Deb (Lapp) Andjusic (Retired).
River Servia (son of Tpr. Randy Servia
- Alpena Post) enjoys the yummy Krispy
Kreme doughnuts!
see Fall Color Run, page 42
41
from Fall Color Run, page 41
Thanks to all who participated in the 13th Annual Michigan State Police
Fall Color 5K Run/Walk! This event would not have been possible
without the help of sponsors, donators, contributors, volunteers, and
participants! The funds raised from this event benefitted two very
important organizations: the Michigan State Police Fallen Trooper
Memorial and the Thin Blue Line of Michigan. Thanks to the following
businesses and people who have helped make this event possible.
Expert Sponsor
National City
Sharpshooter Sponsor
Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office
Marksmanship Sponsors
Adler’s Towing
Advanced Care Pharmacy
Athens Coney Island
Body by Bruce/BBB Towing
Michigan State Police
Troopers Association, Inc.
Primo’s Pizza of Oak Park
Service Towing
St. Clair Systems
Wal-Mart of Chesterfield Township #2692
Walt’zz Mechanical Repair
Waste Management
Honorary Sponsors
Bill’s Towing
Cass Collision
Dr. David R. Zamler, D.D.S.
Elegant Jewelers
Embassy Market
Fern Hill Country Club
Imperial Beverage - Elite Brands
Kelly Services
Mark’s Auto Service
Nino Salvaggio
Quality Towing
Ruehle’s Towing
The Race Route
42
Michigan Trooper
Recognized Sponsors
A-1 Indoor Comfort Systems
A & M Service Center
Achatz Catering and Soup
Allied Cycle Shop
Area Towing & Recovery
Burgett’s Towing
Buschlen Farms LLC
Caniff Electric Supply
Centennial Pines Farm
Central Distributors
C.M.P. Distributors, Inc.
Cruisers
Cuda Uniform
Dave’s Towing
Don’s Towing
Dublin Fish and Chips
Elite Personal Fitness
Glen’s Towing
Grand River Chiropractic Life Center
Greenia’s Service Center
Hadley’s Towing
J & T Crova Towing
Joe Ballor Towing
Keford’s Collision and Towing
Larry’s Service & Towing
Laws Printing & Promotions
Lyons Servicecenter, Inc.
Karoub Associates
MEEMIC Insurance – Longuski Agency
MHM Construction
Mini’s Towing
Munson Cleaners
Nesci Chiropractic
Nick’s Towing
Novi-Motive, Inc.
Official Towing
Park Tire Company
Preferred Towing
Rickert’s Auto Glass
Rusko’s Service Center
Servpro of Novi
Shepherd Lincoln Mercury
Signs & Shapes International, Inc.
Steel City Health & Fitness
Stitch Wizard Embroidery
Taylor Ford
Taylor Wearmaster
Town N Country Collision
Warthogs Motorcycle Club - Mt. Clemens
Winder Police Equipment
White, Schneider, Young & Chiodini, P.C.
Donators for Refreshments
Big Apple Bagels (Clinton Township)
Elaine’s Bagels (Clinton Township)
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (Troy)
Vince and Joe’s (Clinton Township)
Donators for Raffle
Blooming Bakery
Darrow’s State Police Merchandise
Fern Hill Country Club
Prince’s Embroidery
Leipprandt Orchards
Post Cleaners
Running Fit
(Northville & West Bloomfield)
Salon Reaction
Contributors
Bean Brothers Trophy & Award Co.
Blight’s Custom Lettering
Crown Awards
Dana Knapp
Fox 2 News
Hickman Race Services
Maybury State Park
WYCD 99.5
Volunteers
Too many to list – you know
who you are!! Thank You!!
Mark your
calendar ...
14th Annual
MSP Fall Color
5K Run & Walk
September 19, 2009
Maybury State Park
10 a.m.
National Troopers Coalition
2008 Fall Conference
The National Troopers Coalition
2008 Fall Conference (94th Session)
was hosted by the Indiana State
Police Alliance in Indianapolis,
Indiana, September 29-30, 2008.
The conference was also held in
conjunction with the 75th Anniversary
celebration of the Indiana State Police.
Tpr. Craig MacDonald, 2nd District
South Representative (Detroit Post)
and D/Sgt. Duane Hickok, Region 1
D/Sgt. Representative (Jackson Post)
attended along with President Mike
Moorman. In addition to other NTC
business, the conference focused
heavily on the impact that the 2008
national elections will have on state
troopers around the country.
The following pictures are from
the 75th Anniversary celebration.
(l to r): Brian Hawthorne - President,
Texas Department of Public Safety Officers
Association, D/Sgt. Duane Hickok, and
Tpr. Craig MacDonald.
(l to r): Brian Hawthorne - President,
Texas DPSOA, Mike Edes - President, Maine
State Troopers Association, Jim Kiernan Vice President, New Jersey State Police
Non-Commissioned Officers Association,
Tpr. Craig MacDonald, and
D/Sgt. Duane Hickok.
(l to r): D/Sgt. Duane Hickok,
Mike Wooten - Alaska State Troopers,
Tpr. Craig MacDonald, Rob Cox - President,
Alaska State Troopers, and Mason Haycock President, Utah Highway Patrol Association.
(l to r): Mat Hodapp - President, Minnesota
State Patrol Troopers Association,
Brian Hawthorne - President, Texas DPSOA,
Buddy Parker - President, Illinois Troopers
FOP Lodge 41, and Tpr. Craig MacDonald.
43
Guess Who?
from VICE PRESIDENT, page 5
He was in the second
grade and was seven
years old. It was
character dress-up day
and the students were
suppose to dress up like
something they wanted
to be when they grew
up. Even then he knew
what the future held!
(Answer on page 62.)
Future Troopers!
the possibility of follow-up programs
spotlighting MSP special units such as
Emergency Services, the Canine Unit,
the Bomb Squad, the Motor Unit, and
others.
Our initial hope was to have the
project in place for the current recruit
school, though that ended up not
being the case. After meeting with Col.
Munoz and other key members of the
Department, it was clear that a project
of this enormity would require more
planning and preparation than we had
time for. To Col. Munoz’s credit, he
agreed that the idea has tremendous
possibilities for the agency, and
supports moving ahead with the
plan for the next recruit school. The
potential national media exposure
from a project like this could garner
an enormous amount of public
support for the Michigan State Police.
I believe that this is exactly the type
of project that studies have shown
can build visibility and credibility for
MSP and the MSPTA, and give us an
additional opportunity to favorably
influence state fiscal policy.
Endnotes
1.Detroit Free Press, September 29, 2007.
2.Moore, Elizabeth. Michigan’s Current Budget Situation. January 2004. <web1.msue.
msu.edu/home/current budgetpiece.pdf>
3.Citizens Research Council of Michigan.
Michigan’s Budget Crisis. May 2008.
<http://wwwcrcmich.org/PUBLICAT/
budgetcrisis.html>
4.Mediamouse. Top Michigan Political Action
Committees Setting New Fundraising Records. May 15, 2006. <http://www.mediamouse.org/features/051506top_m.php>
5.Ford Foundation. What We’re Learning.
State Fiscal Analysis Initiative 3 Oct 2008
<http://www.fordfound.org/impact/
learning/statefiscalanalysis>
6.West, Maya H., principal author. Community-Centered Policing: A Force for Change.
PolicyLink 2001.
Cousins Luke Tucker (5), son of Tpr. Rich Tucker (Alpena Post), and Tannon
Boyer (4), son of Tpr. Steve Boyer (Iron Mountain Post) already on the road
and enjoying time together with their families at Van Riper State Park. Notice they’re already in uniform! (Photo courtesy of Samuel and Carol Boyer)
44
Michigan Trooper
Ohio Fires 12 Troopers for Cheating
By: Canton Repository
A dozen Ohio Highway Patrol officers, including 11 of 40 at the patrol’s
Canton post, were fired on Monday,
September 8, 2008, resulting in a significant loss of manpower that could
benefit drunken drivers and speeding
motorists.
Three sergeants and eight troopers at the post, along with a Woosterbased trooper, were dismissed after
investigations found that they cheated
on a written alcohol detection device
certification test or knew about the
cheating and failed to stop it. The
terminations come more than a week
after Jackson Township Patrolman
Todd Macaluso was fired by the township for receiving a “cheat sheet.”
Ohio Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Tony Bradshaw said it is the
first time in the patrol’s 75-year history that a dozen of its officers were
terminated at once. He said they can
appeal the dismissals to an arbitrator.
“It caught everybody off guard,”
said the Jackson Township post’s
commander Lt. Eric Sheppard, who
was training in another state when
the cheating occurred. “We’ve been
tasked with a lot more because we’re
down from eight sergeants to five.”
The fired troopers were placed on
paid leave in late August. Since then,
posts in Medina and Wayne counties
and with the patrol’s office in Massillon have provided troopers to help the
post respond to crashes in Stark and
Summit counties. Sheriff ’s deputies
and other local police departments
have been asked to handle some accidents.
Despite the assistance, Sheppard
said his remaining troopers now spend
nearly all of their shifts responding to
traffic accidents and motorists’ calls.
The post commander said he has had
to reduce DUI checkpoints. His officers no longer conduct law-enforcement operations with local police in
crime-ridden neighborhoods. Troopers have far less time to deter speeding.
Bradshaw said troopers will be
transferred to Stark County from
other posts, but it’s not clear when.
EFFECT ON CASES
In Canton Municipal Court, prosecutors have had to change charges
from DUI to reckless operation in at
least three cases involving the fired
troopers, said Canton City Prosecutor
Frank Forchione. He said a couple of
defendants likely got lighter sentences. With the troopers’ certifications
in doubt, the convictions of up to 70
defendants with cases in Canton Municipal Court could be overturned.
Meanwhile, the suspended officers
underwent pre-disciplinary hearings
August 29. Ohio Director of Public
Safety Henry Guzman upheld recommendations to fire the dozen patrol
officers and demote and transfer two
sergeants.
The fired troopers based at the
post are Anthony Maroon, Sharon
Papineau, William Hoberg, David
Blubaugh, Todd Bradic, Shawn Milburn, Justin Smith, and Tara Worner,
the patrol said. The fired sergeants at
the post are Pamela Gowen, William
Bower, and Mark McDonald. The terminated trooper in Wooster was Daniel Laubacher. Sergeant Terry Helton
in Columbus and Sgt. John Hromiak
at the Wooster post were demoted to
troopers and transferred.
Attempts to reach the troopers’
union were unsuccessful.
CAUGHT
Ohio’s Inspector General launched
an investigation after an inspector
for the Ohio Bureau of Alcohol and
Drug Testing reported that several
troopers had cheated on a test he was
proctoring at the Canton Post in April.
Troopers have to take a 50-question
multiple-choice test annually to demonstrate they can properly operate devices that measure alcohol content in
a motorist’s breath. About 99 percent
of test takers pass.
The inspector said he caught Tpr.
Blubaugh looking at a cheat sheet, and
other troopers were found to have the
same answer sheet.
Released in July, the inspector general’s report said Maroon admitted to
making a copy of the answer sheet
while taking the exam in 2007 when
the proctor left the testing room. He
then distributed copies of it to other
troopers during the next 13 months.
Among 22,000 answer sheets filled
out in a two-year period, only six
match the cheat sheet. All those tests
were taken at the Canton Post, which
is in Jackson Township.
Bradic, Milburn, Bower, Laubacher, Gowen, Hoberg, Helton, and
Papineau admitted receiving copies
of the answers from Maroon, the report said. Laubacher said he got the
answers over the phone from Maroon
and wrote them on an index card but
never looked at the card during his
test in Ashland. Worner denied cheating, but her answers in an October
test match Maroon’s answers, the report said. Smith’s answers matched
Maroon’s in a March 2007 exam.
There’s no evidence Gowen, Bower, McDonald, Helton, and Hromiak
used the cheat sheet. Investigators
found that Bradic, Milburn, Worner,
and Hoberg definitely did.
Maroon said he offered the answers to Sgt. McDonald, but McDonald declined, the report said. Ultimately, Maroon gave out copies of
his answer sheet to at least 10 officers
and placed them on a pile in the testing room, the report said. Maroon’s
supervisor, Gowen, along with Sgt.
Helton and Sgt. Hromiak saw Maroon
pass out the sheets, but did nothing
in response. One trooper told investigators that when he told Gowen he
didn’t have time to study for the test,
she told him to see Maroon, the report said.
In late June, Gowen was commended for jumping out of her cruiser
onto the path of traffic on Interstate
77 and then directing the vehicles to
stop to prevent them from colliding
with an out-of-control truck.
Sheppard said the troopers that remain will seek to move on and focus
on serving the public.
45
Too Many of Us Have Surrendered
Paperwork Doth Not Determine Efficiency
By: Jim Donahue
Macomb Police Academy
In recent days, I was on a ride-along
with a buddy who works in a small
police department near my home. We
were on the road by 1900 and before
clearing the parking lot, dispatch sent
us to a residence where a disturbance
had been reported by the resident.
“Oh, great” I thought, “another shift
with nothing to drink or eat where
we’ll be chasing the radio for hours on
end.” When the shift starts off bad,
it’s a sign of things to come.
Two units arrived on scene. The
resident is complaining of a home
improvement contractor who is in her
garage, drunk, and demanding money.
She wants him gone. The guy is told
to pack up and find someone to drive
he and his van out of there. “Don’t
drive,” my partner reminded him as
we departed.
Well, you know the rest of the
story. We set up on the van down the
block. The other unit cleared. Within
a minute, the drunk is driving down
the street. The stop is made. The
drunk is arrested, taken to jail, and all
the while he is complaining about the
money-grubbing cops who had entrapped him.
For my buddy and me it’s paper,
paper, and more paper; waiting at the
jail for the breath test; waiting at the
jail for the intake process to complete.
At 2300, we finally clear the jail (yes,
four hours after this all began) and
my buddy still has to write the report
back at the station. As we drove back
to our area, he comments that a lot
of guys here won’t make DUI arrests.
They’d sooner call a cab for the offender or dispose of it any other way
– sometimes by looking the other way.
The time required on paper is just too
much.
46
Michigan Trooper
My memory flashed to a meeting I’d attended many years ago at
Michigan’s Office of Highway Safety
Planning. Although part of the state
police, this bureau was run by civilians who’d seemingly never spent five
minutes in a patrol car on the street.
The office-types were pondering if
there could be a correlation between
the day of the week and the volume
of DUI arrests. They mused about
how cops might have distractions on
certain days of the week that would
reduce enforcement.
After listening to as much of this
nonsensical babble as I could stand, I
interjected, “If you want to measure
DUI arrests, look at how the rise and
fall as compared to the beginning and
end of a cop’s shift.” The bureaucrats
were clueless.
I offered a theory: the rise and fall
of DUI enforcement tied directly to
each cop’s willingness and ability to
handle the overwhelming amount of
paperwork required for such an arrest. It had become so huge that is
was ridiculous. If DUI enforcement
was down, the majority of the blame
would lie at the feet of the people
who demanded an ever-increasing
amount of reports from the cops on
the street. I charged that it was the
very people leading this state bureau
who bore primary responsibility for
the drop in drunk driving arrests.
Of course, I expressed myself in
a very sensitive and compassionate
manner. Yes, I was banished from
State Police headquarters for more
than a year for having shown such insolence to those in positions of great
power.
I am now a Florida transplant. As
a trainer, I have been on ride alongs in
agencies across the county. I worked
in Michigan and became reasonably
proficient in handling drunk drivers.
I’ve concluded that Florida may be
the state where it is most difficult
to make the arrest, process the person into custody, and ultimately get a
conviction of any that I’ve witnessed,
anywhere.
The courts here have tipped the
scales in favor of the offender to the
point of absurdity. In Florida, we do
not administer Field Sobriety Tests;
no, in Florida they must be termed
“Tasks” because after all, we cops are
not qualified as teachers and therefore
lack qualifications to administer a test.
If by chance, the cop should use the
wrong term in his report, the court
has been known to dismiss the case.
Unlike Michigan, where cops have
a variety of tests they might use, cops
in Florida have a script that includes
the specific tasks, with unwavering requirements (9 steps up, 9 steps back,
and pivot on your right foot at the
turn), and a senseless series of questions to ensure that Joe Drunk understands the instructions in his drunken
stupor.
Cops here often read it aloud from
a book, without any deviation. Other
wise the judges (who are elected to
protect us) may well dismiss the case.
In Florida, judges routinely dismiss
cases for the simplest technicality. It
has become so bad that some agencies have schooled certain officers to
handle all DUI arrests. When a patrol
officer suspects a drunk, he makes
the stop, holds the subject, and transfers probably cause to a cop from the
anointed DUI unit.
The real fact of life is that paper
and procedure have created so enormous a burden on the street cop that
it’s led to non-enforcement. Drunks
are not being taken to jail. Illegal
aliens are routinely cut loose when
they should be deported. Domestic
Violence participants are counseled
into withdrawing or changing their
complaints.
Is this what the legislators envisioned when the underlying statutes
were enacted? I suspect not. Is this
what John Q. Public expects from its
law enforcement systems? Again, I
suspect not.
The entire process has become
perverted by practicing lawyers and
lawyers who have moved on to become judges. To quote a recent article
from fellow columnist, Jeff Baker,
these people have “sodomized” our
basic freedoms and our representative
form of government through these
egregious and perverted acts.
Florida is not unique.
WHAT DO WE DO?
The worst of all choices: give up
and going along with the program. It’s
not the American way. It’s not what
men have fought and died to protect.
It goes against the very grain of our
forefathers’ vision for this county.
We must each take personal responsibility to work the system from
within. There are many ways to do
that. Years ago, I was so disgusted
with my local government that I ran
for office and served a term. I put my
money where my mouth was, so to
speak.
While I realize that there are some
limitations to free speech for cops,
those limits don’t gag us. We can and
should speak out on what we believe
are problems that need legislative correction. Through our representatives,
we can effect change that will bring
relief to the ocean of paperwork that
has been the result of activist judges
who have attempted to legislate from
the bench.
It’s time to speak out about judges
who are doing a bad job. It’s time to
hang them out to dry so the public
realizes the part they have played in
thwarting the intent of the people
and its elected representatives.
We can speak through letters to
the local newspapers. We can speak
through newsletters at church or in
clubs to which we belong. We can
speak by getting involved in the campaign process.
Many judges are seeking reelection
to office right now. I’ve offered my
time to pass out literature at the polls
on election day in support of those
whom I think have done (or will do) a
good job. You can do the same.
You needn’t stand alone, like a
reed in the wind, if that frightens you.
Speak with your union. Speak with
the PTA at your kid’s school. Speak as
a member of any group that mirrors
your views on these issues.
We cops have been unreasonably
burdened. It’s a burden of paper that
has been created by a judiciary that
has gone crazily out of control.
Some cops have chosen to push
forward in silence, with little or no
complaint.
Others have sought the relief
brought about through non-enforcement, arguably with good reason.
Too many have remained quiet in
the face of this ever-growing adversary when it was time to speak.
This is a major election year.
The time to speak is now.
Jim Donahue is a native of the Midwest, getting his education at Michigan State
University. At mid-life, he has spent most
of his life working in his own business, has
been an elected official, and most recently has
embarked on a career in law enforcement.
This article first appeared on September 9, 2008, on Officer.com. It is
reprinted with permission.
from TRAFFIC, page 9
Further questions arose following
our merger with the Motor Carrier
Division to become the Traffic Safety
Division (TSD).
According to the Traffic Safety
Division/Traffic Services Section’
web page we are referred to as
“Program.” In the current organizational chart we are listed as a
“Unit.” We are mentioned in the TSD
website, but it sounds like we are all
“Instructors.”
The Michigan State Police (MSP)
has revised its organizational structure to combine the functions of the
former Motor Carrier Division and
Traffic Services Section into the new
Traffic Safety Division. The change is
part of an ongoing effort to identify
efficiencies within the MSP and utilize
the Department’s resources to best
serve Michigan citizens and other law
enforcement agencies.
The main responsibilities of the
Traffic Safety Division are commercial
vehicle enforcement operations and
training for law enforcement officers
in alcohol enforcement, accident reconstruction, speed enforcement, and
the Michigan Vehicle Code. Commercial vehicle enforcement operations
include the enforcement of trucking
safety laws and weight restrictions,
conducting school bus safety inspections and ensuring the safe transport
of hazardous materials.
Call us a unit, call us programmed,
call us instructors . . . just call us before the skid marks are gone and the
vehicles are sent to the crusher.
My thanks to Capt. Dan Smith
and Retired Lt. Bill Brandt (nice guy,
not really a nut job) for their contributions on the history, and Sgt. John
Bruno for his research on unit versus
non-unit status. The rest of the writing is my own, and does not necessarily reflect the sentiments of the
Reconstruction Unit/Non-Unit nor
the parenting Traffic Safety Division.
I thank God every day for letting me
serve the people I serve in this capacity, and in doing so giving me a life
better than I deserve.
47
5th Annual MSTAF Golf Classic
September 8, 2008 – Otsego Club and Resort, Gaylord
48
On September 8, 2008 the Michigan State Troopers Assistance Fund
held its Fifth Annual Golf Classic
to support the efforts of the fund’s
scholarship program. This year’s
event was held at the Otsego Club
and Resort in Gaylord. FINALLY, we
are happy to report that the weather,
just a bit on the chilly side, was the
best we’ve had for this event yet!
With 19 teams participating, the
“Tribute” course was both beautiful and challenging. The staff at the
Otsego Club and Resort did a very
nice job to help make our event successful.
The first place team this year was
a repeat team from our first outing, consisting of Scott Bates, Phil Ackley,
Kevin Ackley and Jimmy Meigs. Second place went to the team of Brock
Elliott, Barry Beck, Andy Elliott and
Gary Elliott. The third place team
included Greg Kilbourn, Bill Janego,
Mike Larsen and Paul Cohen. Last,
but certainly not least, was the team
of Tim Permoda, Ken Hardy, Scott
Wilber and Nate Groya taking the
coveted last place spot!
Individual contest winners were:
Daryl Massaway – Closest to the Pin;
Longest Drive (Men) – Andy Elliott;
Longest Drive (Women) – Jessica Janego; Longest Putt – Dan Yarsevich.
Every golfer in attendance received a
door prize, and congratulations to the
many lucky winners of our donated
raffle prizes!
Also back this year was the sponsorship of Chrysler with their “Drive
for the Chrysler” program. Ms. Nancy
Barrett was on-site all day assuring
things ran smoothly and convincing as
many people as possible to join in the
fun. Our thanks to Mr. Rick Harland
from Feeny Chrysler of Gaylord who
was the local dealer responsible for
bringing the “Hole-in-One” car to the
course. This Chrysler program makes
a $5 donation to the Assistance Fund
for each person who participates, as
well as giving each person a sleeve of
golf balls as a personal thank you for
helping the cause. This year we raised
an additional $530 through Chrysler’s
program. MSTAF is very grateful to
have developed this partnership with
Chrysler.
The day ended with a delicious
dinner of barbecued chicken and
grilled rib eye steaks. A heartfelt
thank you goes out once again to
Health Alliance Plan for sponsoring the MSTAF golf outing dinner.
The focus of MSTAF is to support educational projects and other
501(c)(3) charities. The Graduating
Senior Scholarship program (each
year there have been 15-21 recipients, each earning $1,000 toward their
college endeavors) and the purchase/
donation of Automatic External
Defibrillator units remain our top priority. In addition, MSTAF supports
other worthy charities such as DARE,
the Red Cross, Lions Club, Toys for
Tots, Chaplain Corps, Law Enforcement Torch Run, MI-COPS, Thin
Blue Line, etc. None of the monies
donated to the MSTAF fund are used
to pay for any administrative purposes
or to pay any member of the MSTAF
Board of Directors.
The Assistance Fund could not
exist without the support of our
friends. We offer our sincere thanks
and appreciation for the generosity
of those who supported this year’s
golf outing. Thank you to our golfers,
thank you to our tee sponsors, and
thank you to everyone who obtained
and donated prizes – all are key to the
success of this outing. We are proud
to report raising just over $11,000 for
the Assistance Fund this year.
Enjoy the pictures of our 5th
Annual Golf Classic, and please patronize our sponsors! (see list on page
50) Let them know that we appreciate
their support of the Michigan State
Troopers Assistance Fund!
Next year’s MSTAF Golf Classic
will again be held at the Otsego Club
and Resort in Gaylord, Michigan. It
will be held on September 14, 2009,
the first Monday after Labor Day.
Mark your calendar now!
Trevor Radke, Nate Ellis, Chad Gruenwald,
Jeff Decatur
Rick Doehring, Mark Tamlyn, Richard
Doehring, Andy Miller
Scott Adams, Scott Black, Craig Simmons,
Hager Anderson
Dan Yarsevich, Nancy Yarsevich, Nancy
VanSyckle, Jim VanSyckle
Tim Permoda, Ken Hardy, Scott Wilber,
Nate Groya
Dale Garrow, Lorne Hartwig, Gary Demers,
Robert Merrick
Michigan Trooper
Mike McEwen, Zachary Hesse, Keith
Martin, Dale Wheatley
Mary Kay Larsen, Debbie Kilbourn, Janet
Cohen, Jessica Janego
Greg Kilbourn, Bill Janego, Mike Larsen,
Paul Cohen
Mel Grieshaber, Andy Potter
Barry Beck, Gary Elliott, Andy Elliott,
Brock Elliott
Steve Nahs, Bill Meier, Jason Nahs, Bill
Redmond
Scott Hammond, Chuck (LNU), Ken
Marone, Marlin Flatt
Jim Laboda, Chris Luty, Denny Harris,
Mitch Stevens
John Grimshaw, Tom Weichel, Steven
Weichel, Steve Thorpe
Jim Curran, Terry Schimke, Jon
Bowerman, Joe Denay
Hubie (from Jamaica), Mike Nasser, Chris
Belt, Able Cruz
Scott Bates, Phil Ackley, Kevin Ackley,
Jimmy Meigs
Congratulations to the winning teams . . .
Greg Tamlyn, Erik Tamlyn, Jon Langley,
Daryl Massaway
Congratulations to the First Place Team:
Scott Bates, Phil Ackley, Jimmy Meigs,
Kevin Ackley.
Taking Second Place: Gary Elliott, Andy
Elliott, Barry Beck and Brock Elliott.
Third Place Team: Bill Janego, Greg
Kilbourn, Paul Cohen, and Mike Larsen.
Last Place Team (and still smiling!):
Scott Wilber, Nate Groya, Tim
Permoda. (not pictured, Ken Hardy)
and thank you again for supporting MSTAF!
Trevor Radke, winner of a set of irons,
with Mark Tamlyn, MSTAF President.
see MSTAF Golf Outing, page 50
49
from MSTAF Golf Outing, page 49
The Michigan State Troopers Assistance Fund would like to thank the individuals
and business that sponsored this event, as well as those that contributed prizes for
our contests, raffles and door prizes. Our sincere apology to anyone inadvertently
left off this list. Please know that any oversight is not intentional, and your
support is greatly appreciated. Thank you to all for supporting MSTAF!
MAJOR SPONSOR
HAP – Health Alliance Plan
3M Traffic Safety Systems Division
A. Papano's Pizza
Amway Grand Plaza
Arrow Sanitation, LLC
Aventric Technologies, LLC
Beverly S. Pearson
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Cardiology Consultants, P.C.
Chris Luty
Chrysler - Drive for the Chrysler Program
Corrigan Towing
Detroit Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association
Detroit Police Officers Association
Diane Garrison / MSPCOA
Diebold Insurance Agency
Doubletree Hotel Bay City Riverfront
Georgie's Towing
Grand Traverse Resort
Great Wolf Lodge
Hackney Grover Hoover & Bean, PLC
Hanba & Lazar, PC
Hilton Grand Rapids Airport
Holiday Inn Express/Splash Universe
Image Builders Unlimited
Joe Cavanaugh
Karoub Associates
Kathleen C. Boyle
Law Office of Daniel Martin, P.C.
Mark Tamlyn
Mary & Terry Groeneveld
Matt Wesaw
Maynes Insurance Services, Ltd.
McCamly Plaza Hotel
McGuire's Resort
Michael J. Ekdahl, PC
Michigan Corrections Organization
Mike Moorman
MSP Traverse City Post #71
Michigan State Police Troopers Association
MSPTA Retirees Association
Plante & Moran
Police Officers Labor Council
Rho-Mar Agency, Inc. / Raider-Smith, Inc.
Ron's Auto & Wrecker
Schultz's Party Store, Inc.
Scott Wilber
The Flour Garden
Theut, Theut & Theut, P.C.
Tim Permoda
Varga & Varga, PC
Wayland/Saugatuck Post
Yarrow Golf & Conference Center
Without your support,.
this would not be possible..
Thank you!
50
Michigan Trooper
MSP Graduates Three New Canine Teams
Lieutenant Ric Hetu (Special Operations Division – Canine Unit), Tpr. Jason Nemecek (Metro South Post) and Mako – K925, Tpr. Steve
Olson (Stephenson Post) and Rambo – K989, Tpr. Jamie Bullis (Alpena Post) and Bane – K974, and Tpr. David Yount (Special Operations
Division – Canine Unit).
QUICK FACTS: There were
approximately 25 applicants. The
run took the top nine times for the
interview. Basic Canine School is 14
weeks long. The school started on
2009
Trooper
Magazine
Deadlines:
June 2nd and graduated September
5th. All three teams are tracking/
patrol/narcotics detection. Tpr. Steve
Olson is going to Stephenson, Tpr.
Jamie Bullis to Alpena and Tpr. Jason
Nemecek to Metro South.
Watch for next issue’s Unit Spotlight
by Tpr. David Yount featuring MSP’s
Canine Unit.
January/February 2009............... extended to December 2, 2009
March /April 2009....................................................January 20, 2009
May/June 2009............................................................ March 17, 2009
July/August 2009............................................................May 19, 2009
September/October 2009............................................ July 21, 2009
November/ December 2009............................. September 15, 2009
January/ February 2010...................................... November 17, 2009
51
From the Streets
Trooper Troy Meder (Bay City Post) has been keeping track of all his large ‘busts.’ All but the one pictured in the top
left corner of this page were discovered after a consent search. Each of these took place in March and April, 2008.
Trooper Troy Meder (Bay City Post) pictured with a pound and a half of marijuana.
Both subjects were out of the greater
Traverse City area and had picked up the
package in Flint.
Trooper Troy Meder (Bay City Post) with
two vacuum-packed packages of marijuana.
They were in a tool box in the trunk.
These guys were going from Detroit to
Cadillac. The driver said that he had just
dropped his mother off at the airport
there. The passenger (driver’s mom’s
boyfriend) said that they had gone to
Flint to visit the driver’s aunt, but couldn’t
remember her name. They also had a half
ounce of cocaine in a fake spray can under
the passenger seat.
52
Michigan Trooper
Trooper Troy Meder and Tpr. Matthew Jordan (both of
the Bay City Post) with a six pound brick of marijuana. Both
subjects were from the Marquette area. They had different
stories as to why they had gone to Detroit that day. One of
them said that they went to Traverse City in the morning
and picked up a girlfriend of the other and took her to the
airport in Detroit. The other said that his girlfriend lives
with him and they went straight to Detroit from Marquette.
Trooper Troy Meder (Bay City
Post) with a pound of marijuana.
Tpr. Meder searched this vehicle
for about 25 minutes before this
was found. The driver said that
they had just gone to Saginaw to
eat and were on their way back to
Midland. The passenger said that
they had just driven to Detroit
so that the driver could visit her
grandmother. Big difference. He
knew he had something. Tpr. Meder
had a faint smell of marijuana in
the void where the convertible
top goes when the top is put down.
He was sure that it was there. He
told the passenger (owner of the
car) that he was going to cut it
open with a knife if he didn’t tell
him how to get in to it. It wasn’t
an empty threat. He showed Tpr.
Meder how to open the top half
way and then get the pound of
marijuana out.
Making the News
Trooper Yvonne Brantley (Bay City Post) speaks to the driver of a car that slammed into
the side of the Cass Avenue Party Store on the corner of Michigan and Cass Avenues
in Portsmouth Township. Trooper Brantley said the crash caused two workers inside
the store to be pushed across the store. The driver, an 80-year old woman, told police
she was trying to park when she accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brakes.
Paramedics attended to the two employees at the scene, but they declined further
treatment. (Scott Mussell/Bay City Times Photo)
Det. Barry Kenyon (Bay City
Police Department), left,
and Specialist Sgt. Lenny
Jaskulka (Flint Post)
secure a piece of
fire evidence.
(Dan Staudacher/
Bay City Times Photo)
Lieutenant Ric Hetu (Special Operations Division
– Canine Unit) leaves the crime scene in Bay City
where the bodies of Sharron and David Hetzel
were found after an early morning fire. Lieutenant
Hetu had led an accelerant-sniffing dog around
the house to search for evidence.
(Dan Staudacher/Bay City Times Photo)
Troopers Jason Davenport and Brenetta Milhouse
(both of the Metro North Post) examine food
allegedly stolen from Kraft Foods/Nabisco.
(David Posavetz /Macomb Daily Photo)
53
2008 October Quarterly
Great Wolf Lodge – Traverse City
Trooper Jim Yeager (Ionia Post), D/Sgt. Mark Russo (CID-MET), and
Tpr. Chris Bush (Ionia Post).
Sergeant Jeffery “JJ” Smith (Metro North Post).
Trooper John Beemer (Bridgeport Post), Tpr. Joe Cavanaugh (Third District
Representative, Bridgeport Post), and Tpr. Eric Hofmeister (Third District
Hometown Security Team).
Standing (l to r): Rosalind Reece and family friend Sherri
Malone. Seated (l to r): Tpr. Brian Reece, and sons Brian
Reece II and Kevin Reece.
54
Michigan Trooper
Trooper Cary Clark (Detroit Post) is presented
with a commemorative statue from Tpr. Mark
Tamlyn (Seventh District Representative,
Cheboygan Post) in recognition for his service as
the Traverse City Post Representative prior to
his transfer to Detroit.
Trooper Tiffany Robbins and Sgt. Tim Robbins, (Bay City Post
and Third District Headquarters), with children Harmon, 5, and
Dominic, 2.
Association Watch Presentations ...
Following the dinner banquet at the October Quarterly,
three Association members were honored with the pre
sentation of their retirement watches.
Tpr. Mark Tamlyn, Seventh District Representative,
presented Tpr. Brett Nichols (Traverse City Post) with his
retirement watch. Brett took a deferred retirement from
the department to become the Director of Public Safety
for the Interlochen Arts Academy.
President Mike Moorman had the honor and privilege
of presenting retirement watches to surviving spouses
of two of our members that died in 2008. Debbie
Marble was presented a retirement watch on behalf of
her spouse, Tpr. Rob Marble (Manistee Post). Rob was
tragically killed in a car crash on February 1 of this year.
JoAnn DuVall was presented a retirement watch on behalf
of her spouse, Tpr. Blair DuVall (Honor Detachment).
After a two month battle with cancer, Blair succumbed
to this disease on July 7 of this year.
Trooper Mark Tamlyn (Seventh District Representative,
Cheboygan Post), presents Tpr. Brett Nichols (Traverse City
Post) with his retirement watch.
MSPTA President Mike Moorman presents Mrs. Deb Marble,
wife of the late Tpr. Rob Marble, with Rob’s retirement
watch from the Association.
Standing (l to r): Lew DuVall (Blair’s dad), Mary Herst
(JoAnn’s mom), Ernie Herst (JoAnn’s dad), JoAnn DuVall,
Tpr. Rick Doehring (Blair’s partner), and his wife Melanie
Doehring. Seated (l to r): Lynne Barnett (Lew’s friend),
Jerry Crane (Blair’s friend since childhood), Barb Hart
(Blair’s aunt).
D/Sgt. Chris Luty (MSPTA
Vice President) with grandson
Ashton Reinke.
Alex Reinke (grandson of
Chris Luty) and Tpr. Herman
Brown (Monroe Post) show off
their matching MSP shirts.
55
Michigan State police troopers Association
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Membership Year: July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009
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56
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Two Detroit Troopers Awarded for Bravery
Upon reviewing the circumstances
At a special ceremony held on Sep- ited the rear vehicle, also firing at the
of this incident, the MSP Board of
tember 25, 2008, in Lansing, Michigan troopers.
State Police (MSP) Director, Colonel
While Lambert exchanged fire Awards determined the heroic actions
Peter C. Munoz, presented Trooper with the gunman, Whitfield ran to the of Lambert and Whitfield, and their
Mark Lambert and Trooper Keyonn lead vehicle to assist the female driver. willingness to ignore their own perWhitfield of the Detroit Post with the Whitfield placed her on the ground sonal safety and well-being, played a
MSP Bravery Award. Lambert and and used his body to shield her from significant role in saving the lives of
Whitfield are credited with placing the continuing gunfire. As a result of both victims.
Lambert, a native of
their lives in serious danger
in the apprehension of two
Detroit, enlisted in the dearmed subjects.
partment in 1994, and was
While on patrol on Noa graduate of the 110th
Trooper Recruit SchooL.
vember 21, 2007, Lambert
He was first assigned to the
and Whitfield observed two
Mount Pleasant Post and
vehicles stopped at a traffic
transferred to the Detroit
light. A man exited the rear
Post in December 1996.
vehicle, approached the pasWhitfield, a native of
senger side of the lead vehiDetroit, enlisted in the decle and began firing a handgun through the window.
partment in 1999, and was
Immediately, Lambert
a graduate of the 118th
and Whitfield ordered the
Trooper Recruit School.
Tpr. Keyonn Whitfield
Tpr. Mark Lambert
armed man to drop his
He was first assigned to the
the gunfire one suspect was fatally Ypsilanti Post and transferred to the
weapon.
Instead, the man began firing at wounded and the other suspect was Detroit Post in January 2001.
the troopers and a second suspect ex- wounded and taken into custody.
Colonel Peter Munoz, Tpr. Keyonn Whitfield (Detroit Post), Tpr. Mark Lambert (Detroit
Post), and Lt. Col. Eddie Washington.
Trooper Mark Lambert (Detroit Post)
poses with his daughter, Lauren.
57
Good Job Troops!
Kidnapping: While on patrol
on M-24 near Lapeer on August 29,
2008, Tpr. Denis McGuckin observed a male passenger punching
the female driver in an approaching
vehicle. The victim/driver jumped
out screaming for help and ran to the
patrol car while the suspect made an
attempt to flee, but was placed under
arrest by Tprs. McGuckin and Jason
Mercier. The suspect had beaten the
victim, repeatedly threatened to kill
her, grabbed her when she attempted
to flee, and attempted to remove her
eyeballs with a set of keys. The victim was convinced the suspect was
going to kill her when they arrived at
her nearby home. The victim is the
mother of his former girlfriend and
grandmother to his children (who
were in the car). The victim is being
treated for injuries at Lapeer Regional
Hospital. The 45-year-old convicted
felon was lodged for kidnapping, assault with intent to maim, and second
degree child abuse. Good work by the
troopers involved. (Lapeer Post, Sandusky Satellite)
Quick Response: Trooper Paul
Plangger was on patrol when dispatch
put out a carjacking in Hartford. While
en route to the scene, he observed the
suspect and stolen vehicle heading in
the opposite direction. After a short
pursuit, the subject crashed the stolen
vehicle and fled the scene on foot in
a corn field. Trooper Toby Marshall
and his Canine, Remy, were able to
track, locate, and arrest the suspect,
along with locating the weapon in the
field that was used in the carjacking.
Subject lodged at Van Buren County.
(Paw Paw Post)
“Let’s Build Something Together”: Trooper Phillip Stanton
arrested seven male Mexican nationals
while performing a routine property
inspection at the Lowe’s store, under
construction, in Marquette County.
58
Michigan Trooper
The seven were determined to be illegal aliens by Tpr. Stanton, (who
speaks Spanish). They were on site as
employees of an out-of-state roofing
sub-contractor. The arrested aliens
were turned over to Immigration and
Customs Enforcement in Sault Ste.
Marie for deportation. (Negaunee
Post)
Troopers Give Little Girl A
Chance: On August 28, 2008, Tpr.
Denis McGuckin responded to a one
car crash. Upon arrival, he was directed to a four-year-old female who was
not breathing and had no pulse. After
struggling to obtain an airway due to
the girl’s broken neck, Tpr. McGuckin
began CPR, along with a citizen who
had stopped to help. Trooper Jason
Mercier arrived and Tprs. McGuckin
and Mercier then continued CPR at
the scene. En route to Lapeer Hospital, Tpr. McGuckin continued CPR in
the ambulance with medical personnel. The little girl was airlifted to Flint
Hurley Hospital where she remains in
critical condition but has been given
a fighting chance due to the quick actions of Tprs. McGuckin and Mercier.
(Lapeer Post)
Hometown News: A vehicle was
stopped on I-96 on August 29, 2008,
for speed. The driver had several
warrants with a total bond of over
$35,000. In a search subsequent to
arrest, 50 tablets of Ecstasy were located under the driver’s seat. Trooper
Chris Bush and his Canine, Rock,
indicated on the front dashboard,
driver’s side. In checking further, a
loaded .38 with laser sights fell out
from under the dash. They then were
able to locate an ounce of marijuana,
20 more pills and over $1,000. (Sixth
District Hometown Security Team)
Saginaw
Detail:
Troopers
Chuck Barker, Eric Hofmeister,
Troy Szukhent, and Eric Wilber
had a productive night while work-
ing a detail in Saginaw. Three of their
traffic stops yielded the following; #1
- 9.6 oz cocaine, $568 and a Buick Regal seized, driver lodged: #2 – a loaded semi-automatic handgun seized
from a vehicle, and: #3 – a parolee on
a bicycle impeding traffic with a loaded .25 semi-auto handgun who was
lodged. (Third District Hometown
Security Team)
What’s Your Name?: On August 26, 2008, Tprs. Daniel Stickel
and Bradley Popilek stopped a 2007
Range Rover for expired registration
and improper lane use on Grand River at M-10 (Lodge Freeway). A LEIN
check of a passenger revealed Identity
Fraud issues. The passenger kept asking Tpr. Stickel “What’s your name?”
The passenger was taken back to the
Detroit Post for a Livescan to confirm his identity. While processing
the passenger, Tpr. Stickel observed
several pieces of paper with account
numbers, personal information, as
well as passport photos. Further investigation revealed the passenger was
involved in a large scale Identity Theft
ring, identifying seven victims. A fourcount warrant was issued against the
suspect for Fraudulent Identity Theft
and Habitual Offender for activity involving two of the victims. Additional
warrants are being sought against him
for fraudulent activity regarding the
other five victims, with the assistance
of SECID Identity Theft Task Force.
(Detroit Post)
Two More Guns: While working
the Saginaw City Detail Tprs. Jason
Bledsoe and Douglas Hunt stopped
a vehicle and located a loaded .22 cal.
pistol in the vehicle and also a quantity
of marijuana. The suspect was lodged
for CCW, Possession of marijuana,
and felon in possession. Troopers
Jasen Sack and Ryan Rich heard
city dispatch put out a ‘shots fired’ call
and responded to the area where they
observed two subjects hiding behind
a garage. Located five feet away from
one of the subjects was a .38 cal. handgun. One subject gave the story he did
not know anything about the gun but
when asked if his prints would be on
the gun he advised, “Yeah, I saw it
and touched it a few days ago.” Nice
try! (Bridgeport Post)
Poaching: Troopers Keith Carlson, Raymond Kenny, and Geno
Basanese received a call regarding
two subjects in a vehicle, poaching
deer, in the Stonington Peninsula.
Troopers located the vehicle and
a subsequent traffic stop revealed
blood dripping from the trunk area.
Upon approach, an uncased rifle was
located between the driver and passenger. The occupants were ordered
from the vehicle, a scoped rifle, ammunition, alcohol, and two freshly
killed deer in the trunk were located.
The driver was arrested for OWI II,
felon in possession of a firearm, possession of firearm while intoxicated,
and taking a deer out of season. The
passenger was arrested for taking a
deer out of season. Both confessed
to the crimes and were lodged. The
DNR assisted and took possession of
the deer. (Gladstone Post)
Shots Fired: On August 25, 2008,
troopers assigned to the Pontiac detail
responded to a shots fired call on the
north side of the City. Two known
New World Order (NWO) gang members had fired shots at subjects in a
vehicle, narrowly missing the female
driver who was treated for lacerations
from glass. A vehicle description was
broadcasted and the vehicle was spotted in the distance by Pontiac Police
Department officers who began to
follow the car until the troops could
arrive. Troopers Eric Whitcomb,
Aaron Weinrick, Chad Gruenwald,
and Ray Pechman were in the area
and were able to box the car in before it had a chance to flee. Troopers
Weinrick and Whitcomb extracted one
subject who resisted and was tasered;
the other two subjects complied and
were arrested. In the subjects’ pockets
were ammunition and a 9mm magazine was located under the rear seat,
but no gun. Troopers Pechman and
Gruenwald traced back the vehicle
route and recovered a 9mm pistol
along side the road. Two subjects in
custody facing assault with intent to
murder charges. (Pontiac Detail, Detroit Post)
Copper Thief Arrested: In the
early morning hours of August 25,
2008, an alert neighbor observed a
suspicious vehicle in the driveway of
a vacant residence in Summit Township, Jackson County. The landlord
was notified, who in turn responded
and notified police. Trooper Andrew
Pinkerton arrived and upon checking the residence found evidence of a
breaking and entering, and apparently
interrupted the theft of copper piping. With the assistance of the Jackson County Sheriff Department, the
suspect, a 38 year old parolee out of
Jackson, and his girlfriend were located on foot nearby. They immediately
explained how glad they were to see
the police as they wished to report
their vehicle as “recently stolen.” After
Tpr. Pinkerton completed his investigation and interviews the suspect was
lodged at the Jackson County Jail for
the copper theft and a parole violation. (Jackson Post)
Jail Escapee Captured: On August 24, 2008, at 12:00 a.m., Tprs.
Jason Sylvester and Jeremiah Carlisle were notified an inmate worker
had escaped from the St. Joseph
County Jail on foot. Troopers responded to the area, with other area
agencies, to assist in the manhunt. A
tip was received of a possible vehicle
the suspect may be fleeing the area
in after two suspicious individuals
stopped at a local convenience store
saying they were from out of town
and going to the St. Joseph County Jail
to visit an inmate; even though there
were no visitation hours. At 1:00 a.m.,
the troopers spotted the suspicious
vehicle on M-86 east of Centreville. A
traffic stop was executed and the escapee was located lying curled up hiding on the back seat in his underwear.
He had discarded his inmate uniform
in a nearby ditch. It was determined
the inmate had used a stolen cell
phone to contact his relatives to pick
him up. He had been working several
days on his escape plan. The 26-yearold suspect was taken into custody
and returned to the St. Joseph County
Jail where he was lodged. The driver
and other occupants of the vehicle
were arrested and lodged on felony
charges for assisting in the escape.
(White Pigeon Post)
HEMP Flights – Saginaw
County: On August 22, 2008, Lt.
John Kenny and Sgt. Patrick Lawrence of the Michigan State Police
Aviation Section conducted HEMP
flights in Saginaw County, working between the rain drops. Officers seized
a total of 81 marijuana plants measuring from 2 feet to 12 feet tall. The
plants were pulled from 14 different
plots, the largest being 30 plants. The
majority of the plants were found in
the back yards of residences. Complaints were generated at nine separate
residences with five consent searches
conducted. During the searches, officers seized approximately two pounds
of processed marijuana, unknown
pills, two sawed-off firearms, scales,
and $18,247.00 in cash. One subject has been lodged in the Saginaw
County Jail. Remaining subjects were
released pending further investigation. (BAYANET)
CCW Arrest: On August 21,
2008, Tprs. James Swain and David Stokes responded to a report of
shots fired in Flint. A large group of
males loitering in the vicinity of the
call denied they fired any shots or
had any weapons. The troopers obtained consent to search from each
see GOOD JOB, page 60
59
a seatbelt violation. The driver was
nervous and stumbling his words.
individual. While patting down one of Trooper Reece observed a book bag
the subjects, the troopers found a .22 on the floor of the vehicle. When Tpr.
caliber semi-automatic pistol in his Reece questioned the driver about the
rear pocket. He was lodged for CCW. bag, he denied it contained any illegal
(Flint Post)
items and refused to give consent to
Two Good Stops: While on pa- search. After running a CCH on the
trol in Benton Harbor, Tprs. James driver and discovering a previous
Janes and Alois Seal made a traf- drug charge, Tpr. Reece requested a
fic stop resulting in the arrest of the K-9 for an exterior search of the vehioccupant for possession of Heroin, cle. When the K-9 arrived, the driver
possession of Marijuana, Resisting admitted there was a gun and mariand Obstructing, as well as DWLS. juana in the vehicle. Trooper Reece
After lodging the first subject, their found a .40 caliber Taurus pistol innext stop resulted in an arrest for side the center console. The bag on
CCW, possession of Marijuana, MIP, the floor contained individual bags of
and No Ops on Person. Not bad for marijuana, a digital scale, and calculatwo traffic stops. (Bridgman Post)
tor. The subject was lodged for CCW
B & E Arrests Brighton: The and PWID Marijuana at the Genesee
Brighton Post area has experienced a County Jail. (Flint Post)
number of night time B & E’s over the
Still Working Dope: On August
last several weeks. In the early morn- 18, 2008, Tpr. Matt Kanitz made a
ing hours of August 20, 2008, a local traffic stop and found a small quantity
party store and a gas station were hit. of marijuana. After some discussion,
At 0330 hrs, Tprs. Greg Galarneau Tpr. Kanitz was able to get the driver
and Michael Sura noticed a vehicle to disclose the source. SSCENT was
back out from a driveway near one of contacted and a search warrant was
the B & E’s. The vehicle was stopped served in the early morning hours
and three young males were contacted. of August 19. The occupant of the
After a brief roadside investigation, drug house was arrested and a loadTprs. Galarneau and Sura realized that ed 9mm handgun was found. Seized
they had apprehended the suspects was three-quarter pounds of cocaine,
responsible for the business B & E’s. over $10,000, over 30 long-guns and
Trooper Galarneau located cigarettes, handguns along with a short barreled
liquor, and cash and was able to match shotgun, and several vehicles. Charges
the cigarette and liquor lot numbers are pending along with forfeiture proon the seized property with the ones ceedings on the seized items and the
at the businesses. All three were taken residence/farm. (Manistee Post)
into custody. Later that day, the Post
Body Armor Wearing CCW: On
received information from a woman August 16, 2008, Tpr. Robert Mossthat she had witnessed liquor bot- ing and Sgt. Patrick Moore stopped
tles being thrown on the roadway in a vehicle for seat belt and registration
front of her house by a juvenile. That violations. The driver advised he was
woman lived near the suspects. Upon suspended and an odor of marijuana
follow-up by Tpr. Terry Berdan, it is was detected. The driver was wearbelieved the suspect(s) were attempt- ing a bulletproof vest and a search
ing to destroy evidence from earlier of the vehicle revealed a fully loaded
B & E’s. (Brighton Post)
.40 caliber Glock magazine in the
CCW/PWID Arrest: While on hollow cavity in the center console.
patrol, Tpr. Brian Reece stopped a Trooper David Stokes assisted in
vehicle for defective equipment and the search and located the matching
from GOOD JOB, page 59
60
Michigan Trooper
pistol (stolen out of Saginaw) in this
same area. Marijuana was also found.
The driver has prior felonies, including CCW, and felony assault on police.
The passenger in the vehicle had just
been placed on parole five days prior. The case will be presented to the
Project Safe Neighborhood Committee for federal charges. The Department of Corrections was contacted
and a parole detainer was placed on
the passenger.
Later this same shift, Tprs.
Wayne Barrigar and Platt Weinrick
responded to a reported subject with
a gun. Upon arriving on scene, two
subjects known to Tpr. Barrigar from
a previous arrest were observed walking in the roadway. One of them had
a fully loaded .22 caliber semi-auto
pistol in his waistband. This makes
three guns seized in the past 24 hours
for the Flint City Detail. (Flint Post)
Patrol Arrest: At 4 p.m. the Detroit Police Department put out a ‘Be
on the Lookout’ for a 2008 Maserati
taken in a carjacking where the victim was shot twice. At 7 p.m., Tprs.
Jonathan Henry and Keyonn Whitfield observed the occupied vehicle
parked in a strip mall on McNichols
near M-10. The vehicle fled after observing the troopers in a fully marked
unit. The suspect eventually struck
two parked vehicles, attempted to flee
on foot with a broken leg, and was
arrested after being tasered. The suspect was turned over to the Detroit
Police Department, who had a homicide warrant for him. He was listed on
Michigan’s Most Wanted as number
five. (Detroit Post)
Ypsi Summer: At 1:30 a.m.,
Washtenaw County Central Dispatch
broadcast a report of a felonious assault with a handgun. The victim was
reportedly assaulted with the handgun
at an Ypsilanti party store. Trooper
Joseph Brodeur located the vehicle,
which was being followed by the victim. The suspect vehicle dipped into
a trailer park, and Tpr. Brodeur made
the stop. The 18-year-old suspect fled
on foot through the park. The suspect hit a fence that he could not get
over and was taken into custody by
Tpr. Brodeur. The loaded handgun,
that had been pitched during the foot
chase was also recovered. Charges
include FA, CCW, R & O, Probation
Violation, and Felon in Possession.
(Ypsilanti Post)
Lifesaving: On August 31, 2008,
after clearing a traffic stop along Oakwood Boulevard, near I-94, in the
City of Melvindale, Tpr. Charlene
Green observed a city officer on a
traffic stop and stopped to offer assistance. Moments later a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed stopped
abruptly in traffic across from their
location. The female driver began
yelling that her baby was unresponsive and bleeding to death. As Tpr.
Green and a Melvindale Police Officer approached and peered inside the
vehicle they observed a child holding
a blood soaked towel. As Tpr. Green
opened the towel she observed a large
laceration to the 11-year-old girl’s left
forearm/wrist area. The child was unresponsive, her eyes were open, and
she was breathing, but appeared to be
going into shock. As blood continued
to rapidly spew from the wound, Tpr.
Green applied direct pressure to the
brachial artery with her hands as the
child drifted in and out of consciousness. Once Melvindale Fire Rescue
arrived on the scene they advised her
to continue with pressure as they attempted to insert an I.V. This became
unsuccessful due to the girl’s blood
pressure dropping to 60 over 40. The
child was transported to Detroit’s
Children Hospital for treatment.
The attending physician and the supervisor for Melvindale Fire Rescue
advised if Tpr. Green had not controlled the bleeding the child’s wound
would have certainly been fatal.
(Metro South Post)
SOR Violation Arrest: Trooper
Todd Price from the Coldwater Post
arrested a registered sex offender for
felony Fail to Change Address on
September 9, 2008. He confirmed
an anonymous web tip that the suspect was currently living with his girlfriend at her parent’s home, and had
not updated his address. With persistent questioning, Tpr. Price gathered enough information from the
homeowners, and then received a full
confession from the offender that he
hadn’t lived at his registered address
for more than one year. (Sex Offender Registry Section)
Stolen Vehicle/B & E Suspect
Arrested: Troopers Bruce Cojeen
and Karen Lindstrom heard Kent
County Dispatch put out a B & E in
progress. Troopers headed towards
the address when dispatch put out that
glass could be heard breaking and the
phone line went dead. Troopers were
almost to the scene when they saw
a vehicle leaving a driveway near the
B & E. Troopers along with a deputy,
who had just arrived, stopped the vehicle with one occupant. The vehicle
was reported stolen out of Holland.
Troopers learned the suspect was a
prostitute returning to get some of
her belongings along with some of
the victim’s property. The suspect was
turned over to the Kent County Deputy for lodging. (Rockford Post)
Bank Robber Apprehended:
The Metro South Post received a tip
that a fugitive was staying in a motel
just north of the Post. The subject
had robbed a bank in Ohio. He was
armed and wearing a bullet-proof
vest. He then used three different
pipe bombs throughout the city as
a diversion. He got away with over
$25,000 and then faked his death.
The Washington County Sheriff ’s Office in Ohio has him on the front of
their web page as their most wanted
fugitive. Troopers Arturo Hinojosa,
Rocco Daversa, Michael Cahalan,
and Andrew Osborne drove to the
motel and saw the fugitive standing
on the sidewalk. He saw the troopers
and started running. After a short foot
chase a successful taser deployment
was administered and he was taken
into custody without any further incident. He had a false passport on him
and about $2,000. The troopers are
currently investigating a storage facility where more money and property
may be found. (Metro South Post)
SOR Arrests: On August 26,
2008, Tpr. Bret Smith (Monroe Post)
investigated a Public Sex Offender
Website electronic tip regarding a
registered sex offender living within
1,000 feet of a school. Although the
offender was living 977 feet from a
school, Tpr. Smith gained consent
search of the residence and discovered pornography. Trooper Smith
immediately contacted the offender’s
probation officer to notify him of the
violation of his probation. The judge
revoked the personal recognizance
bond for the subject and mandated
he move within 45 days. A probation
violation hearing was set for September 5, 2008. On September 2, 2008, another
registered sex offender was arrested on
a Bridgman Post SOR warrant when
he appeared at the Berrien County
Jail with his 87 year old, wheelchair
bound mother. After the subject was
lodged, the lieutenant spoke with the
offender’s mother. She advised her
son had been stealing money from
her and physically assaulting her, pulling her up out of her chair by the
hair. Consequently, he has also been
charged with domestic violence. (Sex
Offender Registry Section)
PIT Maneuver: Troopers Jason
Byrd and Jeremy Brewer assisted the
Lansing Police Department in a low
speed chase of a stolen vehicle. They
were chasing a 1995 Oldsmobile going at the excessive speed of 25 m.p.h.
Stop sticks were deployed during the
chase, however due to the low speed,
the suspect was able to avoid them.
see GOOD JOB, page 62
61
from GOOD JOB, page 61
Trooper Byrd attempted an initial
PIT and was unsuccessful on the first
try. He then executed another PIT and
was able to get the suspect vehicle to
stall out. Driver and passenger were
arrested, and suspected drugs and
several hypodermic needles were recovered from the car. (Lansing Post)
Party Time: Troopers Chris
Shoemaker and Brenda Kiefer
stopped a vehicle at 2:30 a.m. with two
college kids inside enjoying the late
night drive. In the bed of the pickup
truck they were driving were two signs
from Pardee Road. Both suspects confessed to stealing the signs to place
in their college apartment to admire
while they were hosting parties. The
signs were turned over to the Berrien
County Road Commission and the
students learned a lesson that troopers are working 24/7. (Niles Post)
No Ops On Person: Troopers
Jason Bledsoe and Douglas Hunt
stopped a vehicle for speed and arrested the driver for No Ops on person. A search of the driver revealed
46 Vicodin pills, 2.5 grams of cocaine,
and $347. The troopers asked the suspect if he had any more narcotics at
his residence and he advised he did
not. The suspect gave them consent
to search his residence and located inside was 38 more grams of cocaine,
8 grams of marijuana, $1,000, scales,
and packaging materials. (Bridgeport
Post)
Stop Stick Success: At 6:39 p.m.
Tpr. John Looney stopped to investigate a possible OWI from a recent
‘Be on the Lookout.’ As Tpr. Looney was requesting the driver to exit
the vehicle, the suspect drove off at
a high rate of speed. Trooper Jeff
Hoffman positioned himself ahead
of the suspect vehicle and deployed
a set of stop sticks, disabling one tire
on the suspect vehicle. As the suspect
vehicle was now traveling at a slower
rate of speed, Tpr. Looney was able
62
Michigan Trooper
to get ahead of the vehicle and deploy
a second set of stop sticks, flattening the remaining tires. The vehicle
continued on his rims for a couple of
miles, before driving into a cornfield.
The suspect was taken into custody,
after a brief struggle. He stated he
had fled “because he could.” Trooper
Patrick Agema also assisted in the
pursuit. The suspect was lodged for
OWI 2nd, Flee and Elude, and R &
O. (Lakeview Post, Sheridan Detachment)
Lost In Saginaw: Trooper
George Bingham stopped a vehicle
occupied by two Gladwin men who
had conflicting stories about what
they were doing in Saginaw. One said,
“visiting a girlfriend” and the other
said, “visiting a friend” but neither
could give a location. They advised
they were supposed to two-way the
friend. A two-way went off and a
male on the other end asked “Where
you at?” Trooper Bingham talked to
him and the male on the other end
gave him directions to the residence
thinking he was talking to one of the
male occupants. Trooper Richard
Jones and a Buena Vista officer went
to the house while Tpr. Bingham kept
the subject on the phone. A male was
waiting at the end of the driveway
until he realized it was the police. A
consent search revealed one ounce of
marijuana on the subject and located
in plain view was a quarter pound
sitting on the front seat of a parked
vehicle. (Bridgeport Post)
Flint Troopers Save Lives: On
September 3, 2008, at approx. 12:30
a.m., while on directed patrol in the
City of Flint, Tprs. Bradley Ross
and David Stokes responded to the
dispatch of a house fire with possible
entrapment. Upon arriving first on
scene, the home was on fire, and a 9year-old was outside in his underwear.
The young man advised troopers that
his brother and sister were still inside.
Troopers attempted entry through
the doors but were driven back by
smoke and flames. Upon going to the
side of the home they were able to locate a young girl screaming for help at
one of the windows and a young boy
near a basement window. The troopers broke open the main level window
and extricated the young girl from
the home. The basement window
was secured with steel bars. Utilizing
the crow bar from the patrol car, the
troopers broke the steel bars away
from the window frame and extricated the young man from the basement.
It should be noted that prior to this
incident Tprs. Stokes and Ross made
their token P.W.I.D. arrest, getting a
half pound of marijuana on a traffic
stop. (Flint Post)
Guess Who?
(from page 44)
Tpr. Michael Brown
Richmond Post
Nearly 7-Foot Long Snake
Shot by State Trooper
A state trooper shot and killed a
nearly 7-foot long snake, believed to
be a Burmese Phython, after it slithered onto a Port Sheldon Township
road and was acting aggressively
toward passing motorists.
Trooper Bill Coon (Grand Haven Post) used his .40-caliber handgun to shoot the snake after nearby
homeowner Brian Ahlin ran it over
with his pickup several times to try
to kill it. Ahlin and another motorist called police after finding the
snake on 156th Avenue south of
Croswell Street.
Ahlin was worried it might attack children in the area or pose a
danger to pets.
Police suspect the snake was set
loose by someone who no longer
wanted the animal or it simply escaped a home. The snake measured
6-foot, 10-inches.
Ahlin said his pickup did not
seem to cause any injury to the
snake, which lunged at his truck.
“I didn’t do a darn thing to it. It
was like going over a rubber hose,”
he said.
Coon said the snake also lunged
at him as he approached.
Neighbors said wildlife is common in the area, but not huge
snakes.
“This was very different,” Ahlin said. “The only thing you see
around here is deer and turkey,” he
said.
Tpr. William Coon (Grand Haven Post) with the
seven foot long snake.
West Michigan Motorcycle Troopers
By: Sarah Sell, WZZM 13
They’ve been gone for 50 years,
but now, the motor cop is coming
back to West Michigan. The Michigan State Police is assigning two new
motorcycle officers to the Rockford
Post.
Trooper Chris Bommarito is one
of them. He says the assignment can’t
be beat. “I get paid to ride a Harley.”
Bommarito came from the Metro
South Post in Taylor. “I love it. It’s my
seventh year on the motorcycle unit
and 13 years with MSP and I’ll keep
doing it as long as I can,” says Bommarito.
Michigan State Police say motorcycles have their advantages. They work
well in traffic enforcement areas. On
this day, a pack of motor cops from
across the state work on a speeding
assignment along U.S. 131 in Grand
Rapids.
They wait for a cruiser to clock
drivers about a mile up the road. As
soon as a speeder is caught, the motorcycle trooper quickly pulls over the
driver. Another advantage of having
a motorcycle is when the traffic gets
thick, the motorcycle can maneuver
through the lanes.
Of course, they do have limitations. As soon as the weather turns
cold, the troopers will have to return
to their cars for the winter.
63
A Few To Make You Smile
MARIJUANA FILLED FIREWOOD
Caller:
Hello, is this the Sheriff ’s Office?
Dispatch: Yes. What can I do for you?
Caller:
I’m calling report ’bout my neighbor, Virgil Smith
. . . He’s hidin’ marijuana inside his firewood!
Don’t quite know how he gets it inside them
logs, but he’s hidin’ it there.
Dispatch: Thank you very much for the call, sir.
The next day, the Sheriff ’s Deputies descend on Virgil’s
house. They search the shed where the firewood is kept.
Using axes, they bust open every piece of wood, but find no
marijuana. They just sneered at Virgil and decided to leave.
Shortly after, the phone rings at Virgil’s house.
Floyd:
Virgil:
Floyd:
Virgil:
Floyd:
Hey, Virgil! This here’s Floyd . . . Did the Sheriff come?
Yeah!
Did they chop your firewood?
Yep!
Happy Birthday buddy!
10 NEW COURSES
BEING TAUGHT
IN RECRUIT SCHOOL
1. Cleaning and deodorizing patrol
cars.
2. Deleting profanity from your
vocabulary.
3. Criminals are people too.
4. Origami with incident report
forms.
5. Kicking the coffee habit.
6. 1,001 uses for your TASER.
7. Accessorizing undercover fashion.
8. FST techniques for vision impaired drivers.
9. Drive-thru nutrition for patrol
officers.
10. Intimate conversations with
command officers.
2008 Executive Board General Election Results
Ballots were counted on Wednesday, November 12, 2008, with the following elected to office:
Vice President................................................................................................................... D/Sgt. Chris Luty
Secretary/Treasurer..........................................................................................................Sgt. Richard Hale
2nd District North Representative..............................................................................Tpr. Ray Pechman
6th District Representative..............................................................................................Tpr. Scott Wilber
8th District Representative...........................................................................................Tpr. Jerry Mazurek
Region II Sergeant Representative.............................................................................. Sgt. Dale Garrow
Region II D/Sergeant Representative............................................................. D/Sgt. Mitchell Stevens
1st District Representative Special Election....................................................................... Undecided*
*SPECIAL ELECTION RUN-OFF BETWEEN
TPR. NATE JOHNSON (Lansing Post) and
TRP. MIKE SURA (BRIGHTON POST).
Ballots mailed on 11/14/2008. Ballots will be counted on 12/2/2008.
64
Michigan Trooper
Register of Deeds
Jason Stephen Sholtz was born on April 19, 2008, weighed seven
pounds, 13 ounces, and was 20 1/2 inches long. Proud parents
are Tpr. John Sholtz (Richmond Post) and his wife, Gretchen.
Jason was also welcomed home by four-year-old big brother, Ryan.
Specialist Sergeant Brett Sojda (Sterling Heights Lab Firearms
Unit) and his wife, Christine, are happy to announce the birth
of Jack Edward Sojda born on September 13, 2008. Jack weighed
seven pounds, two ounces, and was 20 1/2 inches long. Both mom
and baby are happy, healthy, and resting at home.
In Memory of Our Retirees
Sgt. Robert J. Moore (Ret.)
44th Recruit School
November 20, 1929 - October 18, 2008
Sgt. Harry Houseman (Ret.)
43rd Recruit School
September 26, 1930 - August 18, 2008
D/Sgt. Gerald “Jerry” Gertiser (Ret.)
35th Recruit School
August 25, 1930 - August 18, 2008
D/Sgt. Roy A. Turner (Ret.)
21st Recruit School
March 2, 1919 - November 1, 2008
Sgt. Lawrence A. Seaman (Ret.)
69th Recruit School
June 15, 1940 - September 18, 2008
Sgt. James Carol (Ret.)
76th Recruit School
June 23, 1946 - September 18, 2008
F/Lt. Zane E. Gray (Ret.)
33rd Recruit School
July 30, 1926 - September 25, 2008
Correction: In the September/
October 2008 issue, the birthdate
for Sgt. William R. France, Jr. (Ret.)
was incorrectly published as April
4, 1922. His correct birthdate was
April 2, 1944. We apologize for this
error.
F/Lt. James J. McGaffigan (Ret.)
29th Recruit School
September 28, 1926 - November 2, 2008
Tpr. Kenneth Howell (Ret.)
51st Recruit School
May 4, 1936 - November 2, 2008
65
Final Call
Trooper Evan F. Schneider
Montana Highway Patrol
Age: 29
Tour of Duty: 4 years, 7 months
Cause of Death: Automobile Accident
Date of Incident: Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Trooper Evan Schneider was killed in an automobile accident on Highway 2 near Columbia
Falls. His patrol car collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle.
Two occupants in the second vehicle were also killed.
Trooper Evan Schneider had served with the Montana Highway Patrol since January 2004. He is survived by his wife
and brother. His brother also serves with the agency.
Trooper Andrew Stocks
North Carolina Highway Patrol
Age: 43
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Cause of Death: Automobile Accident
Date of Incident: Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Trooper Andrew Stocks was killed in an automobile accident when his patrol car collided with a garbage truck. He
was responding to an accident when the collision occurred on Ten-Ten Road.
He was transported to WakeMed Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Trooper Stocks was a veteran of both the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps. He had served with the agency for four years.
He is survived by his wife and child.
Trooper First Class Mickey C. Lippy Maryland State Police
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Cause of Death: Aircraft accident
Date of Incident: Sunday, September 28, 2008
Trooper Mickey Lippy and Pilot Stephen Bunker were killed in a helicopter crash while performing a medical evacuation of two critically injured teenagers from Charles County.
During the flight, the EuroCopter Dauphin helicopter encountered severe weather and Pilot Bunker radioed to have
two ambulances meet them at Andrews Air Force Base to complete the transport. At approximately 12:30 am, air traffic
controllers lost contact with the helicopter.
A ground search was initiated and approximately two hours later the wreckage was found in Walker Mill Regional
Park. Both troopers, a Charles County EMT, and one of the two patients were killed in the crash.
Trooper Lippy was appointed to the Maryland State Police four years ago. He had been in the Aviation Command
as a flight paramedic since April 2007. He is survived by his wife and four month old daughter.
66
Michigan Trooper
Final Word
Men are not prisoners of fate,
but only prisoners of their
own minds.
– Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882 - 1945)
There is nothing like returning
to a place that remains
unchanged to find the ways in
which you yourself have altered.
– Nelson Mandela
‘A Long Walk to Freedom’
Organized crime in America
takes in over forty billion dollars
a year and spends very little on
office supplies.
– Woody Allen
The whole problem with the
world is that fools and fanatics
are always so certain of
themselves, but wiser people so
full of doubts.
– Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)
Politicians are the same all over.
They promise to build a bridge
even where there is no river.
– Nikita Khrushchev (1894 - 1971)
Courage and perseverance
have a magical talisman, before
which difficulties disappear and
obstacles vanish into air.
– John Quincy Adams (1767 - 1848)
All that is necessary for the
triumph of evil is that good men
do nothing.
– Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)
Now I know what a statesman is;
he’s a dead politician. We need
more statesmen.
– Bob Edwards
Experience is a hard teacher
because she gives the test first,
the lesson afterward.
– Vernon Sanders Law
You have to think anyway,
so why not think big?
– Donald Trump
Do you have a favorite quote? Share it with the rest of us by sending it to: The Michigan Trooper, 1715 Abbey Road - Suite B, East Lansing, MI 48823
E-mail: troopereditor@gmail.com or pat@mspta.net
67
Call and make your reservation
for the next Quarterly Meeting!
(517) 336-7782
January 13 & 14, 2009
McCamly Plaza Hotel, Battle Creek, MI
Registration Deadline is December 9, 2008
Call the office and make your reservation today!!!
Sine
The badge number on the cover of the Michigan Trooper is in honor
of Tpr. Kevin M. Marshall, badge number 1529. On July 7, 2003, Tpr.
Marshall was shot and killed by a barricaded gunman while engaged in an
Emergency Support Team operation. Tpr. Marshall joined the Michigan
State Police in January 1995 and was a member of the 111th Recruit
School. He was assigned to the Newaygo Post. In 2002 he was selected
for the Department’s Emergency Support Team. Tpr. Marshall was the
49th Michigan State Police officer killed in the line of duty, and the first
to have been killed in an emergency services operation.
Pari
TROOPER
Michigan State Police
Troopers Association
1715 Abbey Road Suite B
East Lansing MI 48823
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Non Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Lansing, MI
Permit #121

michigan trooper

Transcription

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