LANSING. At a special ceremony today in Lansing, Michigan State Police (MSP) Director Colonel Peter C. Munoz presented Trooper Stephen Miller of the White Pigeon Post with the MSP Lifesaving Award. He is credited with performing significant actions resulting in the saving of a life.
While patrolling on March 13, 2009, Miller was flagged down by several people who were fishing and alerted to a man struggling in the river next to an overturned boat. The subject had attempted to swim ashore, but became fatigued in the cold water.
Miller retrieved the Water Rescue Disk from his patrol car and threw it to the subject. Miller then gave verbal commands to keep the man calm while he pulled him to safety.
Upon reviewing the circumstances of this incident, the MSP Board of Awards concluded without Miller's quick and selfless actions, the man would have drowned in the river.
Miller enlisted with the department in 1993, graduating as a member of the 108th Trooper Recruit School. Prior to his assignment at the White Pigeon Post, he served at the Ypsilanti and Newberry posts.