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FREEDOM, after a decade of confinement!

Sgt. Joe Latarski said he received the best Christmas gift of his life in December of 2007. It was this Christmas gift, a 1993 Ford Econoline Van equipped with a lift and special seating to accommodate his powered wheelchair, that Latarski said, “gave me the freedom I have not had in ten years.”

Little did Sgt. Latarski realize the numbness and tingling in his hands that he experienced ten years earlier would be the early signals of a debilitating disease. In 1987 he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and his life was changed forever. Since the American with Disabilities Act ( ADA) was yet to be established, Sgt. Latarski had to conceal his disease from his employer, the Inkster Police Department. Sgt. Latarski soon required arm braces to walk and was forced into an administrative position. Along with the passage of the American with Disabilities Act and the generous donation of sick days from fellow officers at the Inkster Police Department allowed Sgt. Latarski to continue working and retire in 1997.

In retirement Sgt. Latarski’s medical condition worsened. He progressed from utilizing arm braces to a manual wheelchair to his current means of transportation, a powered wheelchair. Although Sgt. Latarski feels fortunate to be mobile he still felt “like a prisoner” as he had to rely on public transportation. Often times he could not obtain transportation at night, on weekends, or holidays.

There is no way I can describe what being a prisoner in your own home is like unless it has happened to you” Latarski says. “I could only go out when absolutely necessary and most times that was to the doctor's office. Since this glorious Christmas gift I have attended my granddaughter’s 6th birthday party, gone out to dinner with my family and done some shopping. I have not been able to perform any of those activities for years!”

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Special Events

The 5th Annual, 5K "Runnin' With The Law" Grand Rapids Foot Pursuit was held on May 17th, 2008. Please click on the flyer button below for all the details..
                                                                          
The 1st Annual "Bow Shoot for Justice" was held on June 14th, 2008. Please click on the flyer button below for all the details.                                                                            

 
The "Heroes Live Forever Motorcycle Run" was held on June 14th, 2008. Please click on the flyer button below for all the details.                                                                            
The Grand Rapids Warthogs M/C 1st Annual "Mike 'CHET' Winchester Memorial Poker Run" was held on June 21st, 2008. Please click on the flyer button below for all the details.                                                                            
The 8th Annual "Blessing of the Bikes" was held on June 22nd, 2008. Please click on the flyer button below for all the details.                                                                            
The 8th Annual "Ride to Remember" was held on July 27th, 2008. Please click on the flyer button below for all the details.                                                                            
The FOP Lodge #97 is hosting a "4 Person Golf Scramble" at the Mines Golf Course on August 8th, 2008. Please click on the flyer button below for all the details.                                                                            
The 7th Annual "Upper Peninsula Law Enforcement Motorcycle Benefit Ride" was held on August 9th, 2008. Please click on the flyer button below for all the details.                                                                           

The 13th Annual "Michigan State Police Fall Color Run" will be held on September 20th, 2008. Please click on the flyer button below for all the details.                                                                                                                                                       

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