Flint Native Retires after 31-Year Career with the Michigan State Police
LANSING. The Michigan State Police (MSP) has announced the retirement of Spl/F/Lt. Ralph J. Hobrat after 31 years of service with the department.
For the past 20 years of his career, Hobrat has worked in the MSP Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (EMHSD) where he has helped communities prepare for and respond to disasters, such as flooding, tornadoes, wildfires and chemical spills.
Most recently, Hobrat served as commander of the Regional Support Section in the EMHSD, where he was responsible for working with local emergency management officials ensuring jurisdictions throughout Michigan had the necessary plans, procedures and resources in place before a disaster. In addition, Hobrat provided a variety of training to local agencies, served in the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) during activations and participated in damage assessment teams following a disaster.
"Over the past 31 years, Spl/F/Lt. Ralph Hobrat has worn the Michigan State Police uniform with pride, excellence and integrity during his commendable service to the citizens of Michigan," said Capt. Chris Kelenske, commander of the MSP/EMHSD. "Hobrat has been instrumental in ensuring our communities are prepared for an emergency and we thank him for his dedication and service."
While working in the EMHSD, Hobrat was deployed to numerous disasters in Michigan and nationwide to provide support with response efforts. In 2001, Hobrat was deployed to New York City following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, to assist the New York State Office of Emergency Management. In 2009, he was deployed to Minnesota to aid with the Red River flooding. Following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Hobrat was deployed to Washington, D.C., to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with coordinating requests for resources. Additional deployments included supervising numerous tornado response teams in and out of Michigan, as well as responding to the aftermath of six hurricanes.
A native of Flint, Hobrat enlisted with the department in 1982 and graduated as a member of the 97th Trooper Recruit School. Hobrat was first assigned as a trooper to the Flint Post and later served at the Brighton and Detroit posts, as well as at Second District Headquarters in Northville and work sites in Lansing. During his 31-year career, Hobrat has held the ranks of trooper, sergeant, lieutenant, specialist lieutenant, first lieutenant and specialist first lieutenant.
Hobrat graduated from Flint Saint Michael's High School, attended Mott Community College, has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Michigan State University and a master's degree from Eastern Michigan University.
Hobrat has two adult children and currently resides in Holt, Mich.
The Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division is responsible for coordinating state and federal resources to assist local government in response and relief activities in the event of an emergency or disaster, as well as coordinating homeland security initiatives and various federal grants.
