Trooper Carlos Fossati
of the Michigan State Police Wayland post and Sgt. Brian Keely of the Rockford post were among five troopers honored for handling a hostage situation Nov. 18 in Benton Harbor.
Troopers said a man abducted his ex-wife from her workplace and took her to a hotel in the on East Napier Avenue and held her hostage. The man had entered The Willows, an assisted living facility in St. Joseph where his wife worked, and took her.
Troopers said they heard a gunshot and scream inside the hotel room and decided to enter. The suspect fired at the officers, striking Keely in his bullet-proof vest. Troopers returned fire and killed him.
The hostage escaped the incident with an arm wound.
The troopers were honored at a Lansing ceremony for their “diligence and perseverance under uncommon circumstances and for going beyond what is typically expected of most law enforcement officers.”
PHOTO: Carlos Fossati
