ICYMI: McDonald Rivet Pays Tribute to Trooper Joel E. Popp During National Police Week
“I want to thank Trooper Popp and all the other brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect and serve our nation and its people. We owe you a profound debt of gratitude.”
WASHINGTON— Today, during National Police Week, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) paid tribute to the late Michigan State Police Trooper Joel E. Popp in a floor speech after his name was added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
You can find a video of Congresswoman McDonald Rivet's remarks here. A transcript of her remarks can be found below:
“Mister Speaker, I rise to honor a mid-Michigan hero: Trooper Joel E. Popp of the Michigan State Police.
“Trooper Popp passed away in the line of duty last year, and this tragedy touched every corner of our community.
“Family, friends, neighbors, the men and women who served with him, and strangers gathered together to honor his service and his sacrifice.
“Joel was an avid outdoorsman. When off-duty, he could be found hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, or golfing. He loved being a husband and a father.
“Trooper Popp has been added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall here in D.C., where he joins other American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“This National Police Week, I want to thank Trooper Popp and all the other brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect and serve our nation and its people. We owe you a profound debt of gratitude.”
Trooper Popp passed away in the line of duty during a traffic stop on January 24, 2024. A Bridgeport Township native, Trooper Popp joined the Michigan State Police in January 2020 and worked out of the Tri-City Post. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
In December 2024, as a state senator, Congresswoman McDonald Rivet joined her colleagues in the Michigan legislature in unanimously voting to name a portion of I-75 as the Trooper Joel E. Popp Memorial Highway in his honor.