Robert J. Mihalik

On a late summer afternoon, the life of Michigan State Trooper Robert J. Mihalik was tragically cut short in the line of duty. The 37-year-old male trooper was on his regular 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift on September 9, 1984, in Saint Joseph, Michigan. The day had been relatively uneventful until a call came in at 5:15 p.m. from a local gas station reporting a drive-off. The suspect had reportedly fled in a brown Cadillac after taking $35 worth of gasoline and cigarettes.

Patrolling I-94, Troo ...