Monroe Post Trooper Named Trooper of the Year

Contact: F/Lt. Tony Cuevas, Monroe Post Commander, (734) 242-3500

Agency: State Police

LANSING, MICH.  Michigan State Police (MSP) Director Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue is pleased to announce that Tpr. Richard B. Northrup of the Monroe Post is the 2012 recipient of the Dr. Carl A. Gerstacker Trooper of the Year Award. Northrup received the award at a special ceremony in Lansing yesterday.

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.

"As a 38-year veteran of the department, Trooper Northrup's exemplary work performance, leadership skills and extensive community involvement make him an excellent choice for this year's Trooper of the Year Award," said Etue.

Northrup is the senior trooper at the Monroe Post and has served his entire career in Lenawee County. He graduated from Howell High School in 1973 and attended Michigan State University for a year prior to joining the MSP. He began his career with the MSP as a service trooper in 1974 assigned to the Jackson Post. After graduating from the 90th Trooper Recruit School in 1977, he was assigned to the Blissfield Team of the Clinton Post. In 1987, he transferred to the Adrian Post and later to the Monroe Post in 2011.

Northrup has been a member of Boy Scouts of America for 47 years and is an Eagle Scout.  In 2011, he was named Area 2 commissioner for the Central Region, including membership on the Central Region Board.  In 2012, he was named the first council commissioner for the new Michigan Crossroads Council covering the Lower Peninsula, and he is also a member of the National Council.  He was recognized by the former Great Sauk Trail Council with the national Silver Beaver Award, which is the highest honor given by a local council, for his accomplishments and leadership efforts on behalf of the council and its youth.

Northrup served eight years as the community service officer at the Adrian Post teaching and mentoring in Lenawee County schools.  He was also a presenter for Operation Lifesaver, a nationally recognized railroad safety program promoting the "Look, Listen, & Live" program for adults and children.

Northrup is also involved with the Tecumseh United Methodist Church, serving on its Board of Trustees as treasurer since 1987. He was instrumental in the creation of the church's Endowment Fund.

Northrup and his wife, Patricia, a retired school teacher, reside in Tecumseh. They have three adult sons, Joseph, Bart, and John, and take great pride in all three earning their college degrees, two from Eastern Michigan University and the third from the University of Michigan.  Northrup's parents are Frank (deceased) and Mary Northrup.