Michigan State Trooper receives Medal of Valor, Purple Heart

Photo courtesy: Michigan State Police

NILES, Mich. – A Michigan State Trooper was honored with a Medal of Valor and Purple Heart for his actions during a 2021 incident, Michigan State Police announced.

Trooper Jason DeVries was recognized during the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Awards Banquet Program on Tuesday.

On October 6, 2021, Trooper DeVries, while working for the Michigan State Police Niles Post, performed a traffic stop on a vehicle and took the driver into custody for not having a license.

When DeVries asked the vehicle’s passenger to exit the vehicle, the passenger allegedly resisted him and pulled out a firearm.

DeVries deflected the passenger as he aimed his gun at him but the passenger fired one round that hit Trooper DeVries in the upper thigh, reports said.

Both Trooper DeVries and the passenger fell to the ground in a struggle.

DeVries then returned fire, hitting the passenger twice.

After radioing for help, other troopers arrived to disarm the suspect and give DeVries first aid.

DeVries’s action saved his own, and others, lives, Michigan State Police said.