LANSING. Michigan State Police (MSP) Director Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue is pleased to announce that Tpr. Bradley Stimac of the Houghton Lake Post is the 2011 recipient of the Dr. Carl A. Gerstacker Trooper of the Year Award. Stimac received the award at a special ceremony held in Lansing.

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

"Trooper Stimac displays a consistent commitment to conducting high-quality investigations and he has taken a leadership role both at work and in his community, making him a natural choice for this year's Trooper of the Year," stated Etue.

At the post, Stimac serves as a community service officer, where he is responsible for planning and organizing special programs in area schools. He is also the assistant Sex Offender Registry coordinator, a field training officer and certified child safety seat inspector.

Stimac has taken a leadership role in multiple work and community-related programs, including serving as a founding member of the local Partnership for Substance Abuse Awareness Coalition, Lunch with a Trooper program at a local elementary school, and he authors a bi-weekly article in the local newspaper to help bridge the gap between the MSP and the public.

Stimac enlisted with the department in 1998, graduating as a member of the 116th Trooper Recruit School. Upon graduation, he was assigned as a trooper at the Houghton Lake Post.

Stimac and his wife, Amy, reside in Houghton Lake and have three kids.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR AN ELECTRONIC PHOTO:

F/Lt. David Street, MSP Houghton Lake Post Commander, (989) 422-5103