Michigan trooper receives Legion law enforcement award

On Aug. 23, during The American Legion's 99th National Convention in Reno, Nev., Joseph Rowley received the Legion's national Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award.

Rowley is a 17-year trooper with the Michigan State Police. He serves as a departmental instructor in firearms and defensive tactics, as well as a field training officer. He has coordinated his district's participation in the Fallen Trooper Memorial, spearheaded the collection of donations for a fellow trooper's father after a house fire, and volunteers his spare time at a camp for children with cancer, a memorial baseball tournament and more.

One important highlight of his criminal investigations over the past year was his work on a credit-card fraud case that led to the discovery of a commercialized sex/human trafficking operation.

"I am so grateful for everyone here," Rowley commented, " ... for the way you make me feel welcome as a law enforcement officer."