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On Wednesday, Aug. 7, members of the Michigan State Police were honored at its biannual Employee Recognition Ceremony for their recent promotions, years of service and special recognition awards.
Among the special recognition awards were the department's Meritorious Service Award and Bravery Award. Recipients included:
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D/Sgt. Anthony Utt, assigned to the Alpena Post, received the Meritorious Service Award for his extreme dedication and perseverance managing and solving a complex and high-profile case involving the disappearance and homicides of two young women in Alpena County.
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Ms. Elizabeth Wandrei, assigned to the Intelligence Operations Division - Third District, received the Meritorious Service Award for her professionalism, diligence, and perseverance during a complex homicide investigation in Lapeer County dating back to 2011.
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Tpr. Myles Redmond and Tpr. Emily Spoeri, assigned to the Flint Post and Sgt. Louis Velaga, previously assigned to the Flint Post and now assigned to the Intelligence Operations Division, received both the Bravery Award and Lifesaving Award for their heroic actions during a critical incident involving a house fire.
Congratulations to all and thank you for your service!
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Please join us in congratulating Sgt. Scott Tuttle of the Organizational Development Division for being selected as the International Association of Chiefs of Police's (IACP) 2024 Instructor of the Year Award!
Sergeant Tuttle led a comprehensive statewide training program for a new breath alcohol testing device, training approximately 15,000 law enforcement officers across the state.
The award was presented at the 2024 IACP State & Provincial Police Planning Officers Section and Academy Directors Section annual meeting in Vermont earlier this month.
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Want to make a difference in your community, but unsure a career in law enforcement is for you? Consider a civilian career with the MSP. One-third of our employees are civilians, and we’re hiring!
Whether you want to become an emergency dispatcher, analyst or technician, we have a place for you. Apply today at Michigan.gov/MSPJobs.
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The Olympic Games may be over, but Raymone Gude is mere months away from his shot at a gold medal. The Michigan State Police (MSP) human resources developer travels to Poreč, Croatia in October to compete in the 2024 World Wrestling Championships.
“Team USA has one of the largest contingents of athletes, and I’m honored to be one of them,” said Gude. “The goal this time is gold.” Gude competes in Greco-Roman wrestling, which, he said, focuses on the upper body. He placed fifth in the 130-kilogram weight class (close to 290 pounds) in Plovdiv, Bulgaria in 2017, which was the last time he competed in the World Wrestling Championships.
According to Gude, the sport has a hold on him in the best possible way. It taught him discipline as early as 7 years old, helped center him as a teen and then took him to college on a scholarship where he met his wife and mother of their two children, both of whom have dabbled on the mat. Wrestling has put more than a few stamps on his passport, including travel to places like Russia, Canada, Germany, Australia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Gude has met lifelong friends, and now he coaches the Grand Ledge Youth Program.
“The principles of wrestling coincide with every aspect of life. I think of it as physical chess,” he said. “You must be dedicated to the craft itself and be dependable for your team. That correlates with my work here at the MSP. I’m one part but without me doing my part, I let my team down. The sport instills accountability.”
Organized by United World Wrestling, the prestigious event will take place at the Zatika Sports Centre from Oct. 8 to 13. The celebratory aspects are like the Olympic Games with opening and closing ceremonies, but the World Wrestling Championships are held every year versus every four years.
“If you have kids, get them involved! It helps tremendously with confidence, determination and performance. Girls' wrestling has become the fastest-growing high school sport in the country.” At the MSP, Gude works in the Organizational Development Division where he is responsible for Civilian Career Development.
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On August 15, the Michigan State Police (MSP) teamed up with Special Olympics Michigan, the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Office, Lapeer Police Department, and Lapeer County Intermediate School District to launch a new program called Sunny Day Camp. This day-long event brought together police officers and students with disabilities for a day filled with fun and mentorship.
The day featured various activities, including inflatables, a dunk tank, police displays, first aid training, a “Get Ready Get Safe” lesson, a dance party with shaved ice and a graduation ceremony.
The MSP plans to expand Sunny Day Camp statewide and make it an annual event. See more photos from Sunny Day Camp on Facebook!
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This summer, MSP troopers went on tour to bring community-focused events to Inkster, Saginaw and Lansing. In cooperation with local police agencies and community groups, these free family-friendly gatherings offered a mix of food, music, basketball and other games.
The events were hosted with the support of the Basketball Cop Foundation, with the goal of fostering positive connections between police officers and local residents.
Catch the highlights of the Troopers on Tour in our featured video!
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As the Labor Day holiday approaches, Michigan families are planning outdoor activities and road trips to mark the end of summer. However, this holiday weekend is also one of the deadliest times of the year for impaired-driving fatalities.
From 2019 to 2023, Michigan saw 44 driver fatalities in traffic crashes during the Labor Day holiday period. Alarmingly, 43.2% of those drivers were impaired by alcohol and/or drugs.
In response, Michigan law enforcement agencies will partner together in the federally funded Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over statewide impaired driving crackdown from August 16 through September 2.
Motorists are urged to drive sober, designate a sober driver or use a ride-sharing service to ensure everyone gets home safely.
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 Across the state, troopers have been working at various summer festivals. Earlier this month, Troopers Topp and Kunath from the MSP Alpena Post enjoyed working the Rogers City Nautical City Festival. They even got to meet the Nautical Coast Princess!
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