FLINT, MI – Several Michigan State Police (MSP) members received awards and recognition on August 8 at a ceremony in Lansing honoring their commitment and service to the people and communities of Michigan. The presentations were part of the department’s Employee Recognition Ceremony which highlights members who have earned promotion, achieved 30 years of service and were injured in the line of duty.
“Our members amaze me,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “They provide exceptional customer service selflessly across the state every single day. They are creating a Michigan where everyone feels safe and secure.”
Troopers Myles Redmond and Emily Spoeri, who were assigned to the Flint Post, along with Sgt. Louis Velaga, now with the Intelligence Operations Division, have been awarded the Bravery and Lifesaving awards for their courageous efforts during a critical incident.
In October 2023, Troopers Redmond and Spoeri, alongside Sergeant Velaga, responded to a house fire where a child was trapped in a locked back bedroom. Despite the intense heat and thick smoke, the officers repeatedly entered the dangerous environment, risking their own safety to find the child. Their repeated attempts were hindered by worsening smoke conditions, leading them to break a bedroom window to clear the air and make another attempt to rescue the child.
Upon arrival, firefighters found the child and another person inside the home, both unconscious and not breathing. Troopers Redmond, Spoeri, and Velaga immediately began performing CPR, reviving both individuals. The victims were subsequently transported to the hospital in serious but stable condition.
Their swift and selfless actions under extreme conditions have been recognized with the Bravery and Lifesaving awards, highlighting their commitment to saving lives and their exceptional courage.
