Press Release

Master Trooper Mike Gruett

PLYMOUTH — A member of the Indiana State Police and a fixture of the Marshall County community will be hanging up the mic for the last time on Friday, Jan. 17.

Master Trooper Mike Gruett will be retiring after serving the public with ISP for the last 39 years.

Master Trooper Gruett is a native of Lake Station and a graduate of Lake Station High School. Gruett attended Calumet College, earning a certificate in criminal justice before applying to ISP. Gruett graduated from the 43rd ISP Recruit Academy on Nov. 10, 1985.

Gruett was assigned to the Bremen Post following graduation and patrolled in Marshall County before transferring to the Lowell District in 1988. After two years at the Lowell District, Gruett returned to the Bremen District in 1990 and has remained a fixture in Marshall County since.

Over the past 39 years, Gruett has been recognized for his work, dedication, and bravery. In 1995, he received a Bronze Star for his bravery in getting a woman out of a car that had crashed into a water-filled ditch.

He also received a life-saving award for his action to save a young child that fell into a pool in 2019. Gruett was selected as the Bremen Post Trooper of the District in 2011. This award is given annually to the trooper in each district that personifies integrity, professionalism, and a well-rounded work ethic.

During his tenure with ISP, Gruett has served as a radar instructor, field training officer, and been on the ISP Emergency Response Team. He has also served as a squad sergeant and as a detective. Throughout all his years serving Indiana, he has accumulated over 1,000,000 safe driving miles.

“Mike Gruett is the epitome of what an Indiana State Trooper should be,” said Lieutenant Chad Larsh, district commander of the ISP Bremen Post. “He has an unwavering work ethic, has mentored countless troops, and is a positive reflection of the department. He will be missed.”

When asked about the past 39 years, Gruett gives much of the credit for his career to having a supportive family at home and beyond. Gruett’s father and older brother both made a career of law enforcement in northwest Indiana, paving the way for him.

Even in retirement, Gruett will still have an influence on local law enforcement as a member of the Marshall County Merit Board.

Gruett lives in Marshall County with his wife, Sue, who will be retiring from Plymouth Community Schools at the end of the school year. He is also the proud father of his daughter, Karly, who is a Doctor of Optometry in Lexington, Ky.