Michigan State Police Community Newsletter. Connect with us on social media. Image featuring MSP helicopter and patrol car. [ [link removed] ]




*February 2025*






MSP Honors Employees for Dedication and Service

Earlier this month, several members of the Michigan State Police were honored at our Employee Recognition Ceremony. Members were recognized for their recent promotions, years of service and other special recognition awards.

Among the awards were recipients of the department's annual awards:


* Trooper of the Year was presented to Tpr. Adam Whited, Houghton Lake Post
* Motor Carrier Officer of the Year was presented to MC Ofcr. Steven Frizzell, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division
* Civilian of the Year was presented to Ms. Pamela Strobel, Organizational Development Division
* Retiree of the Year was presented to Sgt. Barbara Soffin, Ret.
* Community Policing Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to the MSP West Branch Post
* Community Impact Award was presented to Sgt. Ashley Miller, MSP Gaylord Post

Congratulations to all and thank you for your service!

Read more about the award recipients [ [link removed] ].






State Police Pilots Health Screenings to Help Enforcement Members Assess Heart Health

heart

A daily walk has become routine for Lt. Col. Mike Krumm. He and his wife added the movement as part of her recovery following knee surgery, but a Saturday stroll last September left him feeling “off” and led him to the hospital where it was confirmed he’d had a heart attack.

“I thought I was dehydrated, but after drinking water and resting I still couldn’t shake it,” said Lt. Colonel Krumm, deputy director of the Professional Development Bureau. “I put myself into a seated, curled up position and it went away. As soon as I came out of that position it came back. That’s when I remembered from first aid training that the only thing you can do when someone is having a heart attack is monitor them and put them into a position that feels most comfortable. I knew I had to get checked.”

An electrocardiogram (EKG) and blood pressure check came back normal, but the blood test showed a high level of troponin, which is an indicator of damage to his heart.

“I had a heart attack. Fortunately, we caught it early,” he said. “Within days, I had two stents put in and felt better immediately. I was very lucky. I have coworkers who sadly haven’t survived.”
A simple screening may have alerted him to the problem. Building upon that idea, the MSP is piloting voluntary cardiovascular screenings that are tailored specifically to police officers. The pilot program was in the works before Lt. Colonel Krumm’s episode in the fall but he’s confident this screening could have prevented his heart attack and that it will certainly help others.

Research shows law enforcement officers die younger and have more frequent heart attacks than others. The average age for a heart attack among police officers is 46 years old, compared to 65 years old for the general population. While there’s no one cause, experts believe unique stress patterns and lifestyle factors contribute to the increased risk faced by police officers.

The pilot was originally planned for up to 500 participants. When 711 MSP members, or roughly a third of all enforcement members, signed on, MSP leadership made the easy decision to expand the pilot group and include everyone who was interested. The screenings began this month, which is American Heart Month, and run through late March.

“Our members are our most valuable resource, and we are very intentional about offering tangible ways to help them take better care of their physical and mental health,” said Jennifer Dillon, manager of the MSP Wellness and Resiliency Section.

“Awareness and early screening for cardiovascular disease are crucial components of a law enforcement professional's wellness plan. This screening could be lifesaving for some or, at the very least, give participants a baseline to track their heart health over the course of their careers.”

The screenings, conducted by United Diagnostics Services LLC [ [link removed] ], include an ultrasound and comprehensive blood panel. Participants have an opportunity to attend a brief, virtual educational session, too. Results are reported directly to individuals through a HIPPA-compliant platform.

“If this does what we think it will do, we should be able to save some people from experiencing heart attacks and cardiovascular disease,” said Lt. Colonel Krumm. “There’s an educational piece to this too. We need to learn and recognize the warning signs and be proactive, just like we would assess situations when we are on duty.”

The American Heart Association indicates a heart attack can be sudden and intense or start slowly with mild pain or discomfort in the chest or upper body. Learn more at Heart.org/HeartAttack [ [link removed] ].







MSP Commemorates Black History Month

Black History Month

As we commemorate Black History Month, we want to recognize the achievements of some of the African American members of the MSP.

In 1967, Tpr. Jack Hall became the department’s first African American trooper. Trooper Hall was a member of the 67th Trooper Recruit School and retired as a captain in 1992.

Tpr. Sandra Thompson, who was a member of the 85th Trooper Recruit School in 1973, was the first African American female trooper. Trooper Thompson retired as a sergeant.

In 1996, while working as a trooper at the Ypsilanti Post, D/Sergeant Kenneth Rochelle became the first African American to receive the Dr. Carl A. Gerstacker Trooper of the Year Award for his outstanding professional ethics, dedication to duty and community involvement. In 2005, D/Sergeant Rochelle was again selected as the Gerstacker Trooper of the Year, making him the only department member to be a two-time recipient of this award.

In 2003, Col. Tadarial J. Sturdivant became the department’s first African American colonel, serving as director until 2006. Subsequently, Col. Eddie Washington Jr. became Colonel in 2010 and today, the department is commanded by Col. James F. Grady II.

Thank you for your service!







Recognizing Signs of Teen Dating Violence
Teen Violence Dating Month

Did you know nearly 1 in 11 female teens and 1 in 15 male teens report experiencing physical dating violence each year? During National Teen Dating Violence Month, OK2SAY, Michigan’s student safety program, is raising awareness about the warning signs of teen dating violence [ [link removed] ] that can protect our students from serious long-term consequences like substance abuse, eating disorders and mental health struggles.

Signs of teen dating violence may include, but are not limited to:

• Excessive jealousy or insecurity
• Checking someone's cell phone, social media, or email without permission
• Constantly putting someone down
• Explosive temper
• Isolating someone from their family or friends
• Physically inflicting pain or hurt in any way
If you recognize these signs in a student or friend, talk to a trusted adult or confidentially report a tip to OK2SAY. [ [link removed] ]






Staying Healthy in Winter Weather

Michigan experiences major winter storms nearly every month from October through April, bringing dangerous conditions that can be life-threatening.

Familiarize yourself with the signs of frostbite and hypothermia and how to treat each:


* Frostbite occurs when body tissue freezes, causing numbness and pale skin in extremities like fingers, toes and the nose. To treat frostbite, place a firm, steady pressure from a warm hand against the area. Blow on the surface holding the frostbit area against the body. Do not rub the area, apply snow or plunge it into very hot or cold water. Severe cases require medical attention.
* Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below 95 degrees, causing confusion, sluggishness and shivering. Mild hypothermia can be treated by moving to a warm area, removing wet clothing and covering the person with blankets while focusing on warming the chest, neck and head. Severe hypothermia, when body temperature falls below 90 degrees and shivering stops, is a medical emergency requiring immediate professional care.

For more winter weather safety tips, download the Winter Weather Preparedness Packet [ [link removed] ] to educate and prepare your family before the next storm hits.






Leave With A Smile
Night to Shine

On Friday, Feb. 7, Lt. Ashley Miller and Tpr. Michael Veltman took part in this year’s Night to Shine events in Gaylord and Muskegon. Hosted by local churches and sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, these unforgettable events celebrate individuals with special needs, ages 14 and older.

Every guest arrives in style on a red carpet with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd. Inside, they receive the royal treatment, including professional photography, hair and makeup stations, dinner, a dance floor and a crowning ceremony where every guest is honored as a king or a queen!

Lieutenant Miller helped by shining attendees’ shoes and Trooper Veltman was a buddy to a guest for the evening.











In Your Community

*Feb. 23:* Baseline Fitness Test: Lansing [ [link removed] ], 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

*Feb. 26:* Baseline Fitness Test: Ostego [ [link removed] ], 8:30 - a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

*Feb. 27:* MSP recruiters at Ferris State University’s Spring Career and Internship [ [link removed] ] Fair, 2 -p.m. to 5 p.m.

*Feb. 27:* MSP Hiring Event – Jackson [ [link removed] ], 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

*March 6:* MSP recruiters at Caledonia High School Career Fair [ [link removed] ], 9 -a.m. to 11 a.m.




Join Us!
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Choose a career in public service; learn more at www.mi.gov/mspjobs [ [link removed] ]




Transparency
Transparency

Check out our Transparency and Accountability website [ [link removed] ] that provides the public with easy access to information about the administration and operation of the MSP.






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