A Michigan State Police trooper has been awarded the Medal of Valor and a Purple Heart for his actions during an incident while he was working for the Niles MSP post. State police say on October 6 of 2021, Trooper Jason DeVries conducted a traffic stop and placed the driver into custody for not having a driver’s license. When Devries went to search the man’s vehicle, the suspect pulled out a gun and shot Devries in the leg. After being shot, DeVries and the suspect fell to the ground in a struggle, and DeVries was able to reach for his own gun. He shot the suspect twice. Other troopers responded to the scene and got the suspect into custody. Trooper Devries received his awards at a Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police reception in northern Michigan this week. State police say “the courage and heroic actions demonstrated by Trooper DeVries undoubtedly saved lives, including his own.”
