Family and law enforcement gather for funeral of deceased MSP Officer Kerstetter

(WXYZ) — Funeral services for Michigan State Police Officer Daniel Kerstetter were held Friday afternoon at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church in Grosse Pointe Farms.

“You could see that… this man took pride in his work, he was the type of person who would give his shirt off his back and lend it to help someone,” MSP Director Col. James Grady said during the service.

Watch Officer Kerstetter’s ceremony below:

Funeral of Daniel Kerstetter, MSP Motor Carrier Officer

“We will always remember and honor your service,” he added.

Officer MC Justin Bess, a friend and classmate of Officer Kerstetter, also spoke.

“He was the kind of man who would go out of his way to help others no matter what. Danny had one of the most important qualities a person can have, which is humility. He was a great officer because he was a great person,” Bess said.

Officer Kerstetter’s wife, Katie, thanked MSP, law enforcement, first responders and other community members for their support following her husband’s death.

“He was so proud, so proud to be part of the MSP family,” she said.

Watch the wife of fallen MSP MC Officer Kerstetter speak below:

Wife of Officer Kerstetter, MSP MC member who died on September 15, 2018, speaks at funeral

Katie said she and Daniel were best friends and he was the love of her life.

“Danny, loving you changed my life, losing you did the same, but I promise you, baby, your children will never forget their daddy. We will celebrate and honor you every day,” she said.

Kerstetter graduated and was approaching his two-year stint as a highway transportation officer, working primarily in the Wayne County area, when his patrol car was struck on I-75 near Dix in Lincoln Park last Friday morning.
He was sitting inside the car conducting a traffic stop on a tractor-trailer when his car was struck from behind. He was pinned between the two vehicles and died of his injuries Sunday night.

Marty Mugerdichian attended the Michigan State Motor Carrier Officer Recruiting School with Officer Daniel Kerstetter in 2023.

He told 7 News Detroit: “I remember him telling me how excited he was to be in the class and to have been accepted. He couldn’t wait to get in the class and get started.”

Mugerdichian said the training was rigorous, one of the hardest things either man had ever done, but along the way, Kerstetter focused on training others.

WATCH BELOW: ‘A genuine and good person.’ Friend of fallen MSP officer Daniel Kerstetter shares memories

“A sincere and good person,” says friend of deceased MSP officer Daniel Kerstetter

“I remember telling my wife, ‘This guy is a man, he’s a special guy,'” Mugerdichian said.

VIDEO: Full Interview: “He Wanted to Give Back.” Marty reflects on his friendship with Officer Kerstetter:

Full Interview: “He Wanted to Give Back.” Marty Mugerdichian Reflects on His Friendship with MSP Officer Kerstetter