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, Trooper Mihalik soon spotted a vehicle matching the description and began to follow it. The driver exited the freeway, and Mihalik initiated a traffic stop in a residential area of Shoreham. As he approached the vehicle, the driver, later identified as Frederick Burrell of Detroit, became argumentative and resisted arrest. A struggle ensued as Trooper Mihalik attempted to place him in handcuffs.
During the altercation, Burrell managed to gain control of Trooper Mihalik's service revolver. He fired six shots, three of which struck the trooper. One bullet hit him in the chin, and two others struck his chest. Despite his grave injuries, Trooper Mihalik was able to draw his backup revolver and fire five shots, wounding Burrell in the left hand.
Backup officers arrived to find a chaotic scene. Witnesses who heard the gunshots saw a Black male fleeing through a nearby vineyard. Authorities were able to apprehend Burrell shortly after, still wearing one handcuff. Trooper Mihalik was rushed to a local hospital, but his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m.
Frederick Burrell was subsequently charged with first-degree murder and felony murder. Following a trial, he was convicted on both counts and sentenced to life in prison on July 15, 1985. Trooper Robert J. Mihalik, an 11-year veteran of the Michigan State Police and a U.S. Army veteran, was survived by his wife and two sons. His death marked a profound loss for his family, the law enforcement community, and the state of Michigan. In June 2020, a portion of the Red Arrow Highway was renamed the Robert J. Mihalik Memorial Highway in his honor.
