FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Date: February 16, 2021
EMMET COUNTY, MI. After 25 years of service, Trooper Richard Carlson will be retiring from the
Michigan State Police (MSP) effective March 1, 2021.
Tpr. Carlson is a 1984 graduate of Munising High School and served in the Army National Guard. Prior to
becoming a trooper, he worked at the Munising Fire Department, was a City Commissioner of Munising,
and served as Mayor pro tempore for the City of Munising. He joined the MSP on March 10, 1996 and
graduated from the 114th Trooper Recruit School. He was assigned to the Petoskey Post upon
graduation, which later merged with the Gaylord Post in 2011.
During his career Tpr. Carlson received national recognition for saving the life of a child from a burning
home in 2015. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund named him “Officer of the Month”
in March 2016 and he was recognized in a ceremony in Washington D.C. Tpr. Carlson is a recipient of
the MSP Life Saving and Bravery Awards. He is also an evidence technician.
Tpr. Carlson instructed at the youth’s hunter safety program in Emmet County for ten years teaching
young people safe hunting and firearm practices. He coached Pop Warner football and lacrosse. In his
spare time, he is an avid hunter, fisherman and enjoys boating.
We wish Tpr. Carlson and his family all the best as they begin a new chapter in their lives.
