July 27, 2006

EAST LANSING.  The Michigan State Police (MSP) is pleased to announce that Trooper Jeremy S. Brewer and Trooper Jason D. Byrd of the Lansing Post received the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP) Distinguished Service Medal at a ceremony last night.  The award is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct involving exemplary courage, great risk and danger to an officer?s personal safety. 

On February 26, 2005, Brewer and Byrd joined other law enforcement officers at the scene of a senior citizen apartment building fire in which many residents were still inside the building.  Although they did not have respirators, Brewer and Byrd entered the smoke-filled building, feeling their way through every room in search of residents.

Due to medical conditions, many of the residents and their medical equipment had to be carried out of the building.  Brewer and Byrd assisted in the evacuation of 15 people, while checking all five floors to make sure no one was left inside the building. 

Brewer and Byrd were honored with the MSP Bravery Award in September 2005 for the same incident.

Brewer and Byrd joined the department in 2000, and graduated as members of the 119^th Trooper Recruit School.  After graduation, they were both assigned to the Lansing Post.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

First Lieutenant Eric Johnson, Lansing Post Commander, (517) 322-1907