From the Michigan State Police

The Michigan State Police is grateful for the outpouring of support and many messages of condolences that we have received from the public safety community and general public. While the MSP desires nothing more than to lay Trooper Starr to rest with the traditional formality of a full public law enforcement funeral that honors both him and his family, in the interest of health and safety to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the visitation, memorial service and graveside service will be private events with limited attendance. 

For this reason, we are asking those who wish to pay their respects to the Starr family to do so virtually by leaving a message at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/mason-mi/caleb-starr-9294020.

On Saturday, August 8, law enforcement agencies with marked patrol vehicles are invited to participate in a patrol vehicle tribute lining the funeral processional route. Officers participating in the patrol vehicle tribute shall report to the Ingham County Fairgrounds, 700 East Ash Street in Mason by 9 a.m. Officers are asked to remain in their vehicles, and a briefing via the public-address system will be held at 9:30 a.m., with staging for the tribute to begin at 10 a.m.  

Law enforcement agencies are also welcome to send a video message, in lieu of attendance, for compilation into a tribute video for Trooper Starr’s family. Interested law enforcement agencies should email MSP Public Affairs at MSPPublicAffairs@michigan.gov for further instructions.

Make a Donation to the Starr Family
Tax deductible donations to support the Starr family are being accepted by the Michigan State Troopers Assistance Fund (MSTAF), managed by the Michigan State Police Troopers Association. Donations can be mailed to MSPTA or made online at http://www.mspta.net/mstaf/donations/. Please indicate the donation is in support of the Starr family.

A Michigan State Police Trooper who was injured in a crash earlier this month has died. The Michigan State Police announced the death of Tpr. Caleb Starr, of the Lakeview Post, on Friday evening, July 31.

“It is with extreme sadness that the Michigan State Police (MSP) confirms the death of Tpr. Caleb Starr of the Lakeview Post, who was struck by a drunk driver while on-duty on July 10, 2020. Trooper Starr joined the MSP in September of 2018, as a member of the 135th Trooper Recruit School. Trooper Starr was 33 years old. He is survived by his wife, Rachael, who is a civilian member of the MSP, and their two young daughters,” they said.

“The Michigan State Police mourns the loss of not just a trooper, but a husband, father and dedicated public servant who had so much left to give in a life that was cut far too short,” said Col. Joe Gasper, director of the MSP.

The July 10th crash occurred shortly before 10 p.m. in Boston Township in Ionia County. Trooper Starr was westbound on Grand River Avenue in his patrol vehicle when a vehicle traveling east, driven by a 28- year woman from Utah, crossed the center line and hit his Dodge Charger head on. He was flown by medical helicopter to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, where he was being treated until he passed away earlier Friday evening. Charges are pending against the female driver, who is believed to still be hospitalized.

Tpr. Starr, originally from Mason, had been at the Lakeview Post a little over a year. He was a graduate of the 135th MSP recruit school in April of 2019, and was then assigned to the Lakeview Post.