LANSING.  Michigan State Police (MSP) Director Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant is pleased to announce Detective Sergeant Kenneth Rochell of the East Region Special Investigation Division is the 2005 recipient of the Dr. Carl A. Gerstacker Trooper of the Year Award.

The Gerstacker Award recognizes the trooper or sergeant who symbolizes outstanding professional ethics, dedication to duty and a concern for giving back to the community.  The late Dr. Carl A. Gerstacker, former chairman of Dow Chemical Company, created the award in 1961.

Rochell was selected for continuously going beyond the call of duty both on the job and in his community.  Rochell’s work ethic and personal lifestyle exhibit a desire to enhance the community he serves while representing the MSP.

Rochell is the first department member to be a two-time recipient, as well as the first African American to receive the award.  He first received the Trooper of the Year Award in 1996 for his diligent investigative skills and community involvement.

Rochell is currently assigned to the Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team (LAWNET) where he works on high profile cases and in-depth investigations, which sometimes require weekend assignments.  Rochell’s supervisors credit him with removing drug dealers and murderers from the streets of Washtenaw County; helping to ensure a safer environment for everyone.

To further his passion for volunteerism, Rochell founded the Christian Law Enforcement Fellowship (CLEF) in 1999.  CLEF’s mission is to build healthy, supportive relationships between law enforcement officers and citizens.  The organization has over 300 members with chapters in four counties.  Rochell currently serves as President and Director of CLEF.  Under his leadership, the organization has taken on an annual law enforcement appreciation dinner to honor officers who have fallen in the line of duty and an annual Christmas food and gift drive that benefits 50 underprivileged families every holiday season. 

Rochell also participates in Shop-with-a-Cop, which allows underprivileged children to buy gifts during the holidays.  Last summer, Rochell developed a backpack distribution program in Monroe and Washtenaw counties that provided over 900 backpacks containing school supplies to children in need.

Rochell has also conducted several anti-drug and substance abuse presentations for youth groups and elementary schools.  Most recently, he helped to collect thousands of dollars in food and money for people affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Rochell enlisted with the department in 1987, and graduated as a member of the 101st Trooper Recruit School.  After graduation he was assigned to the Ypsilanti Post where he served for nine years.  He served at the Training Division during the 110th, 111th and 114th Trooper Recruit Schools and served two years as a sergeant at the Monroe Post from 1997 to 1999.  In 1996, he transferred to the East Region Special Investigation Division where he has held numerous investigative positions.  

In 1993, Rochell was named the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Ypsilanti Area Jaycees and in 1997, he was awarded Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer in Jackson County.

A native of Flint, Rochell currently resides in Ypsilanti with his wife, Karen, and their two children, Michael and Roya.  Rochell holds an associate’s degree in general biblical studies from V.O.W., Bible College in Flint. 

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Detective First Lieutenant Garth Burnside, LAWNET Section commander, (734) 994-8881