Trooper Jeffrey J. Werda died as a result of injuries sustained from a roll-over crash while en route to a vehicle pursuit in Saginaw County on Wednesday, April 6, 2011.
At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 6, Saginaw County Central Dispatch put out a call that deputies from the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office were involved in a vehicle pursuit in the southwest corner of Saginaw County. Trooper Werda was in the village of Birch Run and began heading in the direction of the pursuit with lights and siren activated to assist the deputies.
While heading westbound on Birch Run Road near Morrish Road in Taymouth Township, Trooper Werda lost control of his patrol vehicle, left the roadway and the vehicle rolled several times.
A passerby came upon the crash and reported the incident to Saginaw County Central Dispatch. Emergency responders arrived at the scene and transported Trooper Werda to Covenant Hospital in Saginaw. He was pronounced dead on arrival.
Trooper Jeffrey J. Werda is the 50th Michigan State Police officer to die in the line of duty.