January 28, 2026
Michigan State Police (MSP) Director Col. James F. Grady II today recognized approximately 90 current and former department members with various awards and recognition for their dedication and service during a ceremony in East Lansing.
“In my role as Director, I am reminded daily of the many ways in which our members are delivering exceptional service with excellence, integrity, and courtesy across this state,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “I’m proud of the accomplishments and achievements of all our troopers and civilian professionals, and I offer my sincere congratulations to our award honorees who are truly impressive.”
In addition to honoring members who earned promotion, achieved 30 years of service and various awards for heroic and lifesaving actions, this ceremony also included presentation of the department’s annual awards, which included the following awards:
Trooper of the Year
Sgt. Lena Wresinski, assigned to the Paw Paw Post, was recognized as the 2025 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.
Sergeant Wresinski demonstrates true leadership every shift and isn’t satisfied with status quo. She hones her skills quietly and is highly respected as the kind of person every trooper hopes to work under – steady, sharp and always ready to step in. Her peers indicate she handles tough situations with both professionalism and heart.
When managing a 10-car pileup during a winter storm, she identified a child in need of transport to the hospital but there was no way for an ambulance to get close enough. Without hesitation, she loaded the child and their parent into her cruiser and took them to the hospital.
Last May, Sergeant Wresinski was instrumental in organizing a canine handler reunion and recognition at the post to honor all those who had served there since 1963 when the first handler was assigned.
She has voluntarily placed herself in the National Marrow Donation Program, selflessly donating blood and stem cells saving an untold number of lives. Because Sergeant Wresinski lost a colleague and close friend to cancer, she now assists with planning and running the annual Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Golf Outing that honors her friend.
Sergeant Wresinski enlisted with the MSP in 2014 graduating as a member of the 126th Trooper Recruit School.
Motor Carrier Officer of the Year
MC Ofcr. Bryan Walker of the Jackson Post was named the 2025 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.
MC Officer Walker enlisted with the MSP in 2019, graduating as a member of the 24th Motor Carrier Officer Recruit School and exemplifies what it means to be well-rounded and activity driven. His outstanding performance reflects personal dedication and direct contribution to the broader mission of the department.
He’s known for conducting thorough and accurate inspections and investigations which have uncovered critical safety violations and fraudulent actions that might otherwise go unnoticed. MC Officer Walker routinely conducts targeted enforcement in high-crash corridors, identifies and addresses weight violations on common bypass routes and communicates his findings to leadership. His strong collaborations with regulatory partners and agencies nationwide has strengthened enforcement outcomes and reinforced the department’s role as a leader in commercial vehicle safety and compliance.
MC Officer Walker is also a trusted and respected resource among peers, on and off duty, and is routinely sought out for guidance, support and subject matter expertise. In addition to being a valued member of the department and division, he serves as a pillar of his community, actively involved with a local church in a safety and security role.
Civilian of the Year
Ms. Nicole Ascroft of the Lapeer Post was named the 2025 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.
Ms. Ascroft, who joined the department in 2019, serves as an administrative assistant. Her supervisors note that while she fulfills her assigned duties thoroughly and competently, she isn’t content with merely doing her job and strives to make everyone else’s tasks easier, specifically those in enforcement roles.
Even as she tackles a full load of records requests, manages the post budget and serves as the training records custodian, she volunteered to oversee abandoned vehicles and implemented a management plan that the post is following today. She also took on the role of serving as the post’s LEIN Terminal Agency Coordinator, ensuring compliance with LEIN policies and procedures and completing all required validations and audits.
She frequently covers the front desk when the assigned enforcement member needs to step away, has served as an actor during mandatory post-wide training and makes it her mission to ensure all post cadets feel welcome and have what they need to be successful.
Ms. Ascroft serves as the glue that keeps everyone well connected and in high spirits by tracking birthdays, the names of their kids and significant others and a multitude of other personal facts and details. Ms. Ascroft stays in touch with retirees and makes everyone she interacts with feel well cared for.
Retiree of the Year
D/Lt. Donald Watson, Ret. was named the 2025 Retiree of the Year. The MSP Retiree of the Year Award is named in memory of Ernest W. Banning, whose career with the department spanned nearly 50 years, and recognizes an enforcement or civilian retiree who continues to exemplify the department’s noble values and traditions through their outstanding achievements, activities or contributions.
D/Lieutenant Watson retired from the MSP in 2003 after 25 years of honorable service. His last position was as commander of the Traverse Narcotics Team South.
In retirement, he continues to support his community through his love of the outdoors, notably his involvement with the charitable organization Wings of Freedom which offers free, fully guided pheasant hunts for veterans and first responders. Detective Lieutenant Watson serves as the group’s Safety Officer and helps tremendously with fundraising to cover the cost of firearms, ammunition, meals and even specialized gear to ensure even those who are severely disabled can participate.
He previously served as part of the National Wild Turkey Foundation’s habitat development arm and was a cherished volunteer for children connected to the foundation and would guide hunts for them.
In addition to his many contributions in the outdoor space, Detective Lieutenant Watson helps to organize his local monthly MSP retiree breakfast, participated in a Habitat for Humanity House build, pitched in during Adopt-A-Highway cleanups and assisted with the initial clean-up, planning and site prep for a veteran’s park.
Community Policing Outstanding Achievement Award
The Niles Post was awarded the Community Policing Outstanding Achievement Award, which recognizes an innovative initiative developed to promote teamwork to help solve a community issue, for its dedicated efforts to connect with community members in Berrien County.
In recent years, post personnel have coordinated and contributed to many successful community events, including National Night Out in St. Joseph, which drew thousands of attendees and promoted positivity, partnerships and camaraderie among post personnel and community members. Other well-attended community events included a trunk or treat that attracted hundreds of children and families, and an educational bike safety gathering in which the post was able to distribute free bike helmets.
As the weather turned colder, the post partnered with the Salvation Army to collect coats and cold weather gear to distribute to area churches, helping families in need ensure they have warm weather gear this season.
During the holidays, post personnel also provided gifts for foster children by organizing a large toy giveaway in which hundreds of children received gifts while interacting with troopers.
Colonel Kriste Kibbey Etue Community Impact Award
Tpr. Macon Derleth of the Niles Post was awarded the Colonel Kriste Kibbey Etue Community Impact Award, which recognizes leadership, commitment and personal involvement in building positive police-community relations.
Trooper Derleth is being recognized for his work in forming authentic connections with community members, notably Spanish-speaking residents in southwest Michigan where he serves. After identifying a gap in trust and communication between police and the Latino community, he developed and implemented a bilingual outreach initiative that has significantly improved understanding, access and cooperation. He hosts educational traffic safety presentations in both English and Spanish and organizes and participates in fun events that embody community engagement beyond enforcement.
Trooper Derleth joined the MSP as part of the 135th Trooper Recruit School in 2018.
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