September 21, 2005

East Lansing - The Michigan State Police Board of Awards is pleased to announce that Specialist Sergeant Jeffrey P. Varga of the Iron Mountain Post has been awarded the Michigan State Police Bravery Award. He is credited with risking his life to protect the lives of others.

On Oct. 27, 2004, Varga joined other law enforcement officers at the scene of an apartment building shooting in which one subject was dead and two others were wounded. Armed with a handgun, the shooter had taken cover outside the apartment building.

Varga approached the suspect in an attempt to prevent her from leaving the scene and possibly endangering innocent civilians. The suspect directly fired the handgun at Varga, exiting her position of concealment, and later turning fire on other law enforcement officers until the gun was empty. Varga and three officers returned fire resulting in the suspect being fatally shot.

Varga protected his fellow officers, maintained public safety and apprehended a dangerous person.

The Michigan State Police Board of Awards recognizes that Varga’s quick and selfless actions helped to end the situation without further harm to officers or innocent civilians.

Varga joined the department in 1989, and graduated as a member of the 106th Trooper Recruit School. After graduation, he was assigned to the Manistee Post and later worked at the Bridgman and Iron Mountain posts. Varga was a long-time resident of Detroit before entering the department.

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