Hundreds Attend Funeral For Michigan State Police Trooper Killed In I-75 Motorcycle Accident
FENTON, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - Officers from police departments across the nation were among as many as 2,000 people who gathered Tuesday to remember a Michigan State Police trooper struck and killed while on motorcycle patrol.
Services were held at Fenton High School for Chad Wolf, 38. A trooper since 2008, Wolf died Friday, hours after he was dragged for miles in northern Oakland County by a car hauling a trailer.
"Trooper Wolf made the ultimate sacrifice and they are here to pay their respects," Michigan State Police Lt. David Kaiser said Tuesday prior to the funeral's start.
"Law enforcement is the only profession in the world that when you put on that uniform you don't know if it's going to be a day to save a life, take a life or give a life."
Among those paying tribute to Wolf was MSP Colonel Kristie Kibbey Etue.
"I know he's on a new assignment now: a guardian angel, guardian at the gate, watching over all of us," she said. "So I say godspeed Trooper Wolf. You have been a faithful servant, and now may you rest forever in peace, because we will never forget you."
Wolf was riding north about 6:30 a.m. Friday on Dixie Highway and crossing over I-75, north of Detroit in Springfield Township, when the car and trailer collided with his motorcycle. Wolf was snatched from the motorcycle and trapped beneath the car or trailer.
The 72-year-old driver of the car entered the freeway and drove north. He eventually stopped after pulling into a rest area north of Springfield Township.
No charges have been filed, and the crash remains under investigation.
Wolf joined the state police in 2008 and served posts in the Jackson, Flint and Detroit areas. He was survived by a wife and four children.
Heartbreaking messages from kids read at Trooper Wolfe's funeral. "You were a good dad.." "I'll miss you."
— Sandra McNeill (@SandMcNeill) September 1, 2015
"This has been a difficult time for our family, but knowing we have care and compassion from people around the nation makes this burden a little lighter to bear," Wolf's family said in a statement. "Our hearts also go out to the families of other recently fallen officers. You are not alone. May we share this burden together."
Wolf's family also said they are not the only ones in pain from the crash and its aftermath.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the other family affected by this tragedy," they said in their statement.
Wolf's brother, Kent Wolf, during the funeral read a letter from their mother:
"I remember the day you were born and the doctor said, 'It's a boy.' He placed you in my arms and I thought you were the most beautiful, perfect baby ever. I had the privilege of being your mother. On that day I knew that God had great plans for you and your life."
Officers from as far away as California and Texas attended the funeral. One Illinois State Police trooper didn't make it after he was injured in a motorcycle crash on the way.
Chad Wolf was born in Geneseo, Illinois. He attended high school in Annawan, Illinois, and college in Pensacola, Florida. Along with his policing, he worked as a youth minister at Great Lakes Baptist Church in Holly.
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