Michigan: Trooper Chad Wolf honored with memorial at Genesys hospital

When medical professionals and law enforcement at Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc walk near the emergency services entrance, they will be reminded of a public servant who lost his life while on duty.

Thursday, Nov. 12, more than a dozen police officers gathered with Bikes on the Bricks officials and family members of fallen Michigan State Trooper Chad Wolf to unveil a granite, laser-etched bench that honors Wolf's life.

Wolf, 38, died Friday, Aug. 28, after he was struck on his Michigan State Police motorcycle and dragged for nearly four miles beneath a 72-year-old Waterford man's trailer.

The husband and father of four was a mainstay at Flint's annual Bikes on the Bricks motorcycle festival, participating both in the police motorcycle training and in the actual motorcycle show. With Wolf's regular participation and the festival's strong relationship with police, the organization wanted to honor him the right way.

Thursday's program began with brief comments from Bikes On the Bricks Board Vice President Christopher Estes and Lt. Mario Gonzales, commander of the motor unit for Michigan State Police. The two spoke about Wolf's legacy as a man who loved God and who lived to serve others.

"This is where Trooper Wolf was brought for treatment after the accident, coupled with the fact that emergency services personnel for many years to come will pass by this bench and be able to reflect on Trooper Wolf's life, and the sacrifice he made," Estes said.

Gonzales, during his comments, referenced Psalm 23 — the popular Bible scripture that reads "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for thou is with me."

"He feared no evil, because his hope was in God. He showed that in every aspect of his life: in being a father, being a husband, being a family, a friend, a youth leader at his church, and yes, a trooper with the Michigan State Police," Gonzales said. "He went out there, and he treated people the way he wanted to be treated."

After Gonzales's comments, Wolf's widow Erin and their two daughters helped unveil the bench. The black granite bench with a picture of Wolf in uniform, reads, "End of Watch: August 28, 2015," a note of Psalm 23, and the Michigan State Police logo. The seat reads, "A Gift from Bikes on the Bricks, Fenton Memorials and Supernova Intl." Fenton Memorials made the bench, and Supernova laser-etched the design. Estes said the bench took about six weeks to complete after coming up with the design.

"We wanted something that would last a millennia, and a granite bench was it," he said.

More than a dozen police officers, from both the Flint Police Department and the Michigan State Police, stood to the side while watching the short ceremony.

Gonzales said that some of the emergency services personnel at the hospital worked with Wolf at accident scenes. Those workers will see the bench as a way to continue his legacy in their own work.

"They can remember how Chad lived his life, how he treated everyone really good, whether he was on an accident scene or if he was arresting somebody," Gonzales said. "He treated people the way he wanted to be treated. I'm hoping they remember that as they go out and do their job every day, that they treat people the way they want to be treated, the way Chad used to do."