January 29, 2004

East Lansing - The Michigan State Police Board of Awards is pleased to announce that seven members of the MSP Emergency Support (ES) Team have been awarded the Michigan State Police Bravery Award. They are credited with unselfishly risking their lives to protect the lives of others.

The recipients are: Sergeant Michael Benjamin, Special Operations Division; Trooper Christian Clute, Wayland Post; Sergeant Richard Gorajec, Grand Haven Post; Sergeant Steven Homrich, Ionia Post; Trooper James Lass, Paw Paw Post; Sergeant Scott Parks, Grand Haven Post; and Trooper Donald Zinz, West Branch Post.

On July 7, 2003, the Michigan State Police found itself in a 14 hour standoff with a barricaded gunman, in Fremont, Newaygo County. The suspect refused to cooperate during negotiations with police and had fired upon officers earlier in the standoff.

At 4 p.m., the ES Team entered the home in an attempt to arrest the suspect. Immediately upon entry, the team was met by heavy rifle fire resulting in Benjamin being struck by a bullet in the helmet and Homrich being hit in the left arm. The suspect’s fire also struck Trooper Kevin Marshall, fatally wounding him. Never wavering from their training and individual responsibilities, the team members further risked their own safety to remove Marshall from the home.

The Michigan State Police Board of Awards recognizes that these ES Team members knowingly exposed themselves to serious injury and despite being shot at, wounded and hit by bullets, they continued to perform their duties in a heroic effort to remove their fallen comrade.

The MSP ES Team, more commonly known as a SWAT team, was formed in 1974. It is a statewide team that responds to high risk critical incidents, such as barricaded gunmen and hostage rescue. The team is also an integral component in the state counter terrorism response plan. ES Team members are specially trained to provide tactical support during chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive incidents.

This incident marks the first on-duty death of an ES Team member.

Read more press releases from the Michigan State Police.