Michigan State Police (MSP) Director Col. Joe Gasper today recognized Sgt. Todd Price as the 2021 Dr. Carl A. Gerstacker Trooper of the Year, MC Ofcr. Mickey Parling as the 2021 Motor Carrier Officer of the Year and Ms. Kathy Kirsch as the 2021 Floyd R. Bell Jr. Civilian of the Year.
"My fellow department members never cease to amaze me," said Gasper. "Their actions, both at work and in their personal lives, show they truly care about their coworkers and the communities they serve. I am proud to recognize and work alongside them."
Trooper of the Year
Sgt. Todd Price of the Marshall Post was named Trooper of the Year. The Gerstacker Trooper of the Year 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.
Price exhibits selflessness in all he does.
When colleagues have a difficult or sensitive issue to sort out, whether it be work or personal, they seek him out. His supervisors have full faith in him too as Price often takes on additional tasks delegated by them and regularly attends community meetings on behalf of command.
Price volunteers for "Good Better Best," which provides clothing to those in need and raises money for school supplies. He also works with a high school career center as a proctor for its criminal justice program, has helped raise money for the Humane Society, and participates in his post's "Stuff a Blue Goose" efforts, as well as trunk or treat activities during Halloween.
Price enlisted with the MSP in 1995, graduating as a member of the 113th Trooper Recruit School. Prior to serving at the Marshall Post, he served at the former Coldwater Post.
Motor Carrier Officer of the Year
MC Ofcr. Mickey Parling of the Lakeview Post was named Motor Carrier Officer of the Year. The Motor Carrier Officer of the Year Award recognizes the MSP motor carrier officer who symbolizes outstanding professional ethics, dedication to duty and concern for giving back to their community.
Parling serves as a field training officer, background investigator, recruiter, motor coach inspector, size and weight instructor, and is certified in post-crash investigation, in addition to his daily duties as a motor carrier officer.
Additionally, Parling implemented an officer mentoring program among fellow motor carrier officers and successfully brought the first officer through the process.
In his community, Parling has completed a multitude of commercial motor vehicle safety and "Truckers against Trafficking" human trafficking awareness presentations. More recently, because blood is desperately needed right now, Parling helped co-host a successful blood drive.
Parling enlisted with the MSP in 2006, graduating as a member of the 16th Motor Carrier Officer Recruit School.
Civilian of the Year
Ms. Kathy Kirsch of the Caro Post was named Civilian of the Year. The MSP Civilian of the Year Award is named in honor of the late Floyd R. Bell Jr., a 42-year employee of the MSP, who continuously demonstrated commitment and dedication to the department and his community.
Kirsch serves as a post secretary where she's known as a dedicated and immensely reliable coworker always willing to help in any possible way, even for members at other worksites.
In her community, her performance is also exemplary. She participates in many fundraisers including those to support her local chapter of American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, as well as Child Advocacy Centers. She routinely sews quilts to be auctioned off to benefit a local Catholic school and is an active member of her church serving as a lector for nearly 10 years.
Kirsch joined the MSP in 1988.
