April 6, 2011 - On-duty Michigan State Police Trooper from Bridgeport Post Killed in Single Vehicle Car Crash

Contact: F/Lt. Patrick McGreevy, (989) 777-3700

Agency: State Police

LANSING. The Michigan State Police sadly confirms the death of Tpr. Jeffrey Werda, a 10-year veteran from the Bridgeport Post.

"On behalf of the men and women of the Michigan State Police, I send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Tpr. Jeffrey Werda who died this morning in the line of duty," said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the Michigan State Police. "Every day law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to uphold the law and keep our communities safe. This is a great loss to our State Police family, all of law enforcement and the citizens of Michigan."

At approximately 1:30 a.m., deputies from the Saginaw County Sheriff's Department were involved in a vehicle pursuit in the southwest part of Saginaw County. Trooper Werda, who was in the Village of Birch Run at the time, began heading in the direction of the pursuit with lights and siren activated to assist Saginaw deputies.

Trooper Werda was westbound on Birch Run Road near Moorish Road in Taymouth Township when he lost control of his fully marked State Police patrol vehicle, departed the roadway and rolled over several times.

A passerby came upon the crash, called Saginaw County 911 and reported the incident.

Emergency first responders arrived on the scene and transported Trooper Werda to Covenant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Michigan State Police traffic crash reconstructionists are investigating. A cause for the crash has yet to be determined.

Trooper Werda was alone in his vehicle at the time of the crash.

Related Websites
> April 7, 2011 - Michigan State Police Announce Funeral Arrangements for Tpr. Jeffrey Werda

Related Documents
> High-Resolution Photo: Tpr. Jeffrey Werda - 173978 bytes
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