Person of the Week: Stephen O’Dell 9/30/19

This week’s Person of the Week is a Michigan State Police Trooper based out of Houghton Lake.

Trooper Stephen O’Dell was recently awarded the Michigan State Police Bravery Award. — Which typically goes to officers who have had their lives in danger.

And while O’Dell’s wife would rather he never be in danger again, O’Dell’s life purpose was solidified after he was shot 3 times in July, 2018.

O’Dell was following a suspect who had run away from a traffic stop when the suspect started shooting, hitting O’Dell in the chest, shoulder, and grazing his face. — Luckily, he was wearing his vest, which saved him.

He was taken to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City and was off work recovering for 7 weeks.

When O’Dell learned he would be receiving the award, he said that he’s honored, but he was just doing what he was trained to do.

For his bravery in a life or death situation, Trooper Stephen O’Dell receives this week’s title of Person of the Week.

If you know of someone who’s working hard in their own community, creating something new in the area, or just affecting Northern Michigan in their own special way and you’d like to nominate them — send an email to news@minews26.com.

Tell us who you’d like to nominate for the Person of the Week, why you think they should receive that title, and how we can reach them — Each week, we’ll broadcast one of these nominees as the “Person of the Week.”