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Voluntary program aiding families of deceased troopers ends

Michigan State Police
Wikimedia Commons
Michigan State Police

An official says participation has declined due to the availability of life insurance and changes in retirement benefits.

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The state of Michigan has ended a voluntary program that provided cash payments to families of deceased troopers. An official says participation has declined due to the availability of life insurance and changes in retirement benefits.

The program began in 1936 and worked this way: Troopers, active or retired, would pay $2 to $5 after an officer’s death. WOOD-TV says families would get $10,000 to $17,000 depending on the health of the fund.

Amanda Baker, a state police budget official, says the department had no authority from the Legislature to administer the program and couldn’t find an outside group to take charge. Anyone with a balance in the fund because of advance payments is getting a refund.