Three Michigan State Police members have been honored at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 2026 annual conference in Florida. F/Lt. Ty Purdy, commander of the Flint Post, and Mr. Eric Fowler, Data Strategy and Governance Section Manager, each received the 40 Under 40 Award, which recognizes rising leaders shaping the future of public safety. The State Trooper Outreach Partnership (S.T.O.P.) Gaylord Chapter received the Webber Seavey Excellence in Law Enforcement Award, which recognizes law enforcement agencies and programs for enhancing the quality of life in communities they serve.
Purdy, a former paramedic and sheriff's deputy who joined MSP in 2013, has served as a trooper, canine handler, interdiction team member, and supervisor. He was recognized in part for his leadership during the 2025 mass attack in Grand Blanc Township, where he served as incident commander coordinating emergency support teams, bomb technicians, aviation assets, investigators, canine teams, and patrol personnel. Following the incident, he organized after-action reviews, wellness support, and community outreach initiatives honoring the victims.
Fowler has modernized the department's analytics capabilities and evidence-based policing efforts. Over five years, he has led the Modern Culture of Data Program, which helped MSP implement an enterprise suite of interactive dashboards providing real-time access to crime, traffic, personnel, and public safety data. The platform now serves more than 3,000 users and includes the agency's first public-facing crime dashboard.
The S.T.O.P. Gaylord Chapter, established in northern Michigan in 2022, provides emergency services, temporary housing, and essential assistance to individuals in need, particularly in areas where after-hours emergency services are limited. Past efforts have included covering flat tire repairs, paying for hotel rooms, constructing wheelchair ramps, and hosting community events. The chapter has donated book vending machines to multiple schools, and additional S.T.O.P. chapters are being established at other MSP posts across the state.