PHOTO INFORMATION: State Rep. Brian BeGole (left) recently presented a legislative tribute in honor of retiring Metro Police Authority of Genesee County Chief Matt Bade. Bade’s son Patrick (second from left) and daughter Meghan accepted the tribute on Chief Bade’s behalf. Lieutenant Michael Murphy, who will be promoted to Chief when Bade retires on June 1, also attended the presentation ceremony.

“To give 40 years of his life to the law enforcement profession says a lot about Chief Bade’s character, and how the department is trusted and respected by this community says a lot about his leadership and professionalism over the years,” BeGole said when presenting the tribute at a Mundy Township Board meeting. “But this isn’t just about the years Chief Bade served. It’s about the impact those years had on people around him, the officers he mentored, the citizens he helped, the communities he kept safe, the standards he set and the example he is leaving behind for the next generation coming into this profession.

“It’s truly an honor for me to present this and recognize Chief Bade’s 40 years of service and selflessness, and I wish him the very best in retirement.”

In 1986, Chief Bade was hired as a patrol officer for the Birmingham Police Department. After working for Birmingham, he then joined the Burton Police Department where he rose to the position of detective. Chief Bade spent 24 years with the Burton Police Department before retiring in 2013. He returned to policework as a lieutenant with the City of Swartz Creek Police Department, which merged with the Mundy Township Police Department to become the Metro Police Authority of Genesee County. He would eventually become the second Chief of Police in the new department’s history.

Through his work as Chief, he established the largest salvage vehicle inspector program in Michigan and has been actively working with Legislature to improve the process. Chief Bade has also been an active member of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police to ensure professional standards and high-quality training are provided. In addition, he worked alongside Voices for Children, a child advocacy center in Genesee and Shiawassee counties that aims to prevent child abuse and aid those who have experienced childhood trauma.

National Police Week runs from May 10-16, honoring law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as their families, and recognizing those currently serving. Prior to serving in the Legislature, BeGole spent over 32 years in law enforcement, including serving as Shiawassee County Sheriff for six years. He represents a portion of Mundy Township as part of the 71^st House District.