New Era Police Chief to retire after 61 years in law enforcement

– OCP photo

Chief Roy Strait turns 88 years old July 3

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

NEW ERA — New Era Police Chief Roy Strait is hanging up his police officer hat after a 61-year career in law enforcement.

Chief Strait’s last day on the job will be Thursday, July 3, which is also his 88th birthday.

The chief’s long career in law enforcement began when he served in the military police for the US Marines. He served in the Marines from 1956-1959.

After his military service, the Traverse City native worked in a machine shop for about five years. The Grand Traverse County sheriff at the time, Richard Weiler, stopped into the machine shop where Strait was working and asked him if he was interested in working as a deputy. “That’s how I got started.” He worked for the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office for 22 years.

“When I started in law enforcement, I didn’t go on the road right away. We became a dispatcher, a jailer and a patrolman. When you came in at night, you didn’t know what you were going to do for sure. We didn’t have a car on after midnight. So if we got a call and it was serious enough to need two men, you’d have to pick up one of those deputies at home on the way. It’s changed a lot.”

Strait has not only heroically served his community as a police officer, but also as a firefighter. “The fire department in East Bay Township was a substation for law enforcement and EMS, and it started in my garage.” He and his late wife Dixie housed the station in their residential garage.

 “Back then, we would get a call from Central Dispatch on the phone, and they would say that there was a fire. We had the siren hooked up to our garage, and then about a mile down the road there was another siren hooked up. So, we had to call all our volunteers by phone to go out to the fire. It’s come so far now” he said of the technological advancements in emergency response.

Strait also served as a K-9 officer during his career in Grand Traverse County. “I was the first K-9 that Grand Traverse had.” He was key in launching the first CPR program for students at Traverse City Area Public Schools and Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools in the 1970s. 

He was the director of public safety in Battle Creek for nine years following his career in Grand Traverse County. He then was hired as a deputy for the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, where he worked for over 22 years. Strait worked part-time as the New Era police chief and an Oceana County sheriff’s deputy simultaneously until his retirement from the sheriff’s office in 2017. He was hired as the New Era police chief in 2008. Strait retired from the sheriff’s office not long after suffering a cardiac emergency while on duty in 2016. “I’m on my second pace maker,” he said. Despite his age and medical issues, Strait has lots of energy. “I still cut wood and handle draft horses.” He thinks the secret to his longevity is in his genes — “My dad was 98.”

Keeping busy also seems to be key. He ran a bulldozer business when he was a sheriff’s deputy in Grand Traverse County. “I worked two jobs all my life.” 

Strait has been an integral member of the Oceana County Victim Services Unit, which offers support to people as they navigate through ‎crises, like house fires, traffic deaths and suicides. The victim services advocates step in wherever and whenever they’re needed. Strait’s good friend Bob Farber, who was the Oceana County sheriff at that time, started the program in 2013, and his wife, Nancy Schumacher-Strait, has been the coordinator since its inception.

Farber, Strait, close friend John Heykoop and Strait’s wife Nancy have been making Christmas brighter for area children in need through the Roy’s Kids program. The program began in 1994 by Strait as an outreach activity from his role as school liaison when he was an Oceana County sheriff’s deputy. “Kids are important,” the great grandfather said. “I don’t think people help each other enough anymore.”

Even though he’s retiring, Strait doesn’t plan to slow down his active pace anytime soon. He plans to continue his involvement in both the Oceana County Victim Services Unit and Roy’s Kids during his retirement. 

Strait has been working so long that his son, Scott Strait, retired before he did. Scott, who had a 34-year career in law enforcement, served as the Mackinac County sheriff for 16 years. 

When asked what he will miss the most about his job, “the people,” answered the outgoing and humorous Strait. 

Another community-focused activity Strait and his wife Nancy handle is an annual fishing trip and picnic at their home with Oceana County Medical Care Facility residents. He and Heykoop also give away bicycles to children each year during the New Era Street Festival.

Tim Priese, who was the Oceana County undersheriff during Farber’s tenure, will be Strait’s replacement as the New Era police chief.

“I want to thank my family and the people of Grand Traverse, Battle Creek, Oceana County and New Era for giving me a chance to be a part of their lives.”

A retirement party is set for Thursday, July 3, from 2-5 p.m. — on Strait’s 88th birthday — at the New Era Event Center, at 4747 First St.

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