Long-time MSP officer retires.

Motor Carrier Officer Dan Roesler receives his retirement plaque from Lt./Col. Gary Gorski.

By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

HART — It was a bittersweet day at the Michigan State Police post Friday, April 22, as fellow officers and colleagues said farewell to long-time motor carrier officer Dan Roesler.

Roesler received a joke gift from his fellow officers — a damaged door from an old motor carrier cruiser.

After 31 years of service, Roesler is retiring from MSP. Several colleagues, MSP retirees and community members gathered at the post Friday afternoon for a retirement party to share stories and many jokes.

“He’s just a fun guy to have around,” said his cousin David Roesler, MSP captain and District 6 commander, who was the Hart post commander from 1998 to 2005.

The Roesler family from Montague includes a long line of law enforcement and emergency personnel, including current Muskegon County Sheriff Dean Roesler. “There’s at least a half dozen of us (in the field),” Dan said.

“He’s an icon of this area,” said MSP Lt./Col. Gary Gorski of the retiring Roesler.

Dan Roesler, at left, laughs while his cousin David Roesler, MSP captain and District 6 commander, shares a funny story. Jay Walicki, owner of A-1 Auto Body & Towing in Hart, is pictured center.

Although it was his last day at the post, it doesn’t sound like Dan is planning to slow down very much. He will continue his EMS duties with White Lake Ambulance Services and his role as the assistant fire chief for the Montague Fire Department.

Dan graduated from the MSP Academy in 1985. He served in the US Navy from 1976-1980. When he was on active duty with the Navy, he worked for the Santa Rosa County, California Sheriff’s Office.

During his tenure with the state police, Roesler has been assigned to posts in New Buffalo, Grand Rapids, Newaygo, Grand Haven and Hart. Motor carrier officers handle commercial vehicle enforcement, which includes weighing and inspecting semi trucks.

What will he miss the most about the job? “The people and the guys,” he said. “It’s all been good.”