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Michigan State Police Specialist Sgt. James Bush, of the Lapeer Post, Specialist Sgt. Leonard Jaskulka, of the Flint Post and Specialist Sgt. Michael Jenkinson of the West Branch Post, were awarded the MSP Meritorious Service Award April 16 for their work that brought Jeffrey Wallace, 54, to justice.

"I was really surprised," Bush said. "It's a big honor."

Wallace, who retired after 30 years with the Eastpointe Fire Department, and his dog Copper, were well known in the statewide firefighting community.

"He became fire marshal in December 1994, and was the assistant fire chief," said Eastpointe Fire Chief Dan Hagen. "He was well respected and no one suspected anything like this."

In retirement, Wallace was a Harper Woods code enforcement officer, and also volunteered his and Copper's services at fire scenes.

"We used him state wide," Bush said. "He was hooked up to a dog through a grant provided by State Farm. They provide training and the dog. It's a great program, but you have to keep up the training with your dog."

Wallace failed to continue drilling of the Labrador and golden retriever mix and hid it to retain his status in the fire fighting community.

"I think he became embarrassed, and wanted everyone to think his dog could still find accelerants," Bush said. "The dog was overweight, and obviously not in training."

In May 2007, the Chesterfield Township Police Department requested the MSP's assistance after a fire department member said he saw Wallace plant an unknown liquid at a fire scene. Copper found the liquid, which was later determined to be unassociated to the fire.

Bush, Jaskulka and Jenkinson arranged for video surveillance at other fire scenes previously determined not to have been caused by accelerants. At each scene, the suspect located accelerants evidence that was not present prior to his search. Wallace was arrested and charged in four counties.

In Macomb County he plead guilty in front of Circuit Court Judge David Viviano to tampering with evidence and two counts of obstruction of justice. He was sentenced on July 24 to three years of probation with the first nine months to be on tethered house arrest.

He was sentenced to 90 days in jail and two years of probation in St. Clair County after pleading guilty to tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice. He was sentenced to 24 months of probation in Bay County after pleading guilty to tampering with evidence. Charges in Gladwin County were unavailable at press time.

The three police officers were awarded for going beyond what is typically expected of most law enforcement officers.

"They received the award because of their outstanding investigative skills," said MSP F/Lt. Patrick McGreevy. "It was a very complex and difficult case. It was controversial because of who it involved, and it involved multiple jurisdictions. They did a great job."

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com.