LANSING. Michigan State Police Director Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant is pleased to announce that Linda Sorensen of the East Region Special Investigation Division (ERSID) is the 2005 recipient of the Floyd R. Bell Jr. Civilian of the Year Award.

Sorensen, a 21-year employee, was chosen for the award as a result of her accomplishments both on and off the job and for her efforts to
continue the department’s proud tradition of SERVICE through EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY and COURTESY.

In her current position, Sorensen is dedicated to ensuring fiscal accountability.  She serves as the division’s fiscal manager, purchasing coordinator, fleet manager and security coordinator.  In these roles, she is responsible for maintaining the division’s accounting system, managing its various grants and monitoring all purchases.  In addition, Sorensen monitors the division’s cellular phone activity and maintains vehicle assignments. 

Known for initiating action, Sorensen is not afraid to take on new tasks, such as serving as a member of the MSP Super Bowl Logistics Committee.  She is also credited as the division’s historian, having photographed numerous events and organized the division’s historical photographs into books.

On her own time, Sorensen is active in various events at her son’s high school.  Over the last four years, she has devoted time to the school’s football and lacrosse booster clubs, serving as booster club secretary, community activities chairperson, fundraising chairperson and parent representative on the Board of Directors.  As the community activities chairperson, Sorensen encouraged the players to volunteer in the community by organizing fundraisers and food drives.  She is currently serving as treasurer for the Senior Class Party Committee.

For the last several years, Sorensen has participated in the annual Salvation Army Kettle Collection, made donations to the Gleaner’s Food Bank in Detroit and participated in fundraisers sponsored by the AMVETS of Mesick.  She has also worked with Westland Goodfellows for the past 10 years to package and distribute gifts to underprivileged families during the holidays.  Additionally, Sorensen and her family hosted a Plymouth Whaler hockey player from Ontario in their home for three years.

A native of Garden City, Sorensen graduated from Garden City East High School in 1976, and attended Schoolcraft College.  Sorensen has been married for 24 years and currently resides in Canton with her husband, Brian, and their 18-year old son, Christopher.

Sorensen, a 29-year state employee, worked eight years with the Department of Education prior to joining the MSP.  During her free time, she enjoys traveling, scrapbooking and spending time with her family.
 

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Captain Annemarie Gibson, division commander ERSID, (734) 525-2560