Fallen Trooper Loved His Family, God and Serving the Public

Tributes are pouring in for a state trooper in Michigan who died after he was dragged several miles after being struck on his department-issued motorcycle while on patrol Friday morning.

Trooper Chad H. Wolf, 38, died Friday afternoon, Michigan State Police said in a statement.

The preliminary investigation indicates Wolf was dragged by the trailer on Interstate 75 for several miles until the driver pulled over at a rest area near Holly. The driver, a 72-year-old man from Waterford, is cooperating with the investigation, police said. No charges were immediately filed.

Word spread quickly that the trooper, a married father of four, had died.

A post on the Michigan State Police Facebook page was shared thousands of times. In more than 1,500 comments to the post two hours after his death was announced, people offered their condolences to Wolf’s family and thanked him for his service in a dangerous job.

Often, they spoke directly to the fallen law enforcement officer.

Ray Griffin, who served as an intern under Wolf’s supervision, said the trooper provided a memorable experience that will stick with him and inspire him for years to come.

“For that, I will become the best trooper I can,” he wrote. “You told me to never give up.”

The trooper’s neighbor, Paul Copeland, said Wolf was “the greatest friend, father, neighbor anyone could have the pleasure of knowing.”

“It will be hard to look out my window and know you are gone,” he wrote, adding that his family will look after Wolf’s widow and children.

“Your family will forever be ours,” Copeland wrote.

Breyana Anderson wrote that the trooper’s death is a reminder of the sacrifices law enforcement officers make to ensure “the law is upheld and communities are safe.”

“... The nerve of those that complain about what cops do,” she wrote.

“There are no words to express our sorrow for Trooper Wolf and his family,” the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said on its Facebook page. “We wish all of the comfort in the world to our brothers and sisters in blue.”

Gov. Rick Snyder offered his condolences in a statement.

“My heart is broken for Trooper Wolf’s family, his friends and his Michigan State Police colleagues,” Snyder said. “The troopers who serve us every day in the name of public safety are incredibly brave, selfless and honorable. This loss will be felt deeply by the entire state of Michigan.

“Trooper Wolf today laid down his life in service to others, and for that his family will never be the same,” Snyder said. “The first lady and I extend our heartfelt condolences to them. Our thoughts and prayers also go out to everyone at the Michigan State Police who had the honor of working with Trooper Wolf, as well as those who knew him in the communities he served.”

Patch’s Earlier Reports:

• Michigan State Trooper Dragged By Car Dies
• Michigan Police Trooper Critically Injured in Traffic Stop

A GoFundMe page has been established to help his family with funeral costs.

Sarah Strygulec, who established page, said Wolf was “the best husband I have ever met.”

“He and his wife were in that ‘honeymoon’ stage years after they had gotten married,” she wrote. “He loved his children just as much; there wasn’t a day his four children could doubt their daddy’s love for them. He taught his sons how to treat a woman and their daughters how to be treated by the relationship he had with both them and his wife.”

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Wolf’s faith in God was strong.

“Everyone he came in contact with knew his love for The Lord,” Strygulec wrote. “That was one undeniable thing in his life.”

Wolf’s colleagues were brokenhearted. Lt. Gov. Brian Calley tweeted: “We are so broken hearted for Trooper Wolf’s wife & 4 children. He gave his life in service to the people of Michigan.”

Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the Michigan State Police, announced Wolf’s death late Friday afternoon.

“It is with very heavy hearts that we confirm the death of one of our own, Trooper Chad Wolf,” Etue said in a statement. “Our troopers know the dangers they face each time they put on their uniform, but the calling they feel to serve the public is stronger than any fear. Trooper Wolf will forever be remembered as a loving husband, dedicated father and outstanding public servant.”

Jason Filler, former pastor of the Highland Hills Baptist Church in Highland, told The Detroit News Wolf believed that “God’s plan for his life” was to serve as a law enforcement officer,” and he remembers “how excited he was serving in that public service role.”

Filler and Wolf met in the 1990s while both were students at Pensacola Christian College in Florida. Wolf moved to Michigan after his wife, Erin, was hired to teach at the Highland Baptist school. It was during that time that he decided to become a law enforcement officer and entered the police academy.

“He embraced it wholeheartedly,” Filler said. “Once he focused on it, that’s where his heart would be.”