Beck, Victor

Fallen Troopers of the Michigan State Police

Paw Paw, Michigan: Paw Paw Press, August 1980. With a warm inscription signed by Victor Beck and dated Aug. 31, 1980 on the last page. Stated First Edition. Comb binding. 161 pp. Contains 30 stories of fallen troopers with black and white photographs and photo portraits. Comb binding a little rolled but could be carefully readjusted. Card stock covers are a little faded. One coffee splash at top of front cover. Overall sturdy and clean. Very good.

When the "Michigan State Troops" were signed into existence by Governor Albert Sleeper on March 27, 1919, the force consisted of fifty officers, four cars, five motorcycles, three trucks and an undetermined number of horses.

The Governor probably didn't anticipate that this underequipped, quasi-professional agency would become the Michigan State Police, a modern, efficient law enforcement organization, which today consists of over 2,000 officers and 800 civilian employees, with duties ranging from the "Detroit Freeway Patrol" to protecting the residents of isolated homes and cottages in the upper peninsula.

However, by the nature of the task, and man's inhumanity to man, the road from 1919 was inevitably paved with sacrifice, professional courage and the death in action of a number of officers.

Their stories, and legacy to the living, began on . . . old Grand River Road about three miles west of Novi in the early morning hours. . . .

Item #2172

Price: $140.00