SAGINAW COUNTY (WWJ) - Funeral arrangements for Trooper Joel Popp are underway in Saginaw County after the 39-year-old was struck and killed while investigating a suspected drunk driver on I-75 last week.
According to Michigan State Police, visitation will continue on Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth, located at 590 N. Franklin Street, in Frankenmuth.
The funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Saginaw Valley State University's Ryder Center, 7400 Bay Road, University Center.
Popp was assisting other troopers just after 7 p.m. on Jan. 24 as they investigated a suspected impaired driver who was stopped in a "in a curved lane of travel," along northbound I-75 and Birch Run Road, near Vienna Road, in Vienna Township.
Popp was standing outside his patrol car when an 81-year-old driver hit him and two other MSP vehicles at the scene.
Popp was rushed to Hurley Medical Center in Flint with serious injuries where he later died.
The 81-year-old driver was also seriously injured in the crash, but is expected to survive, MSP said
According to a press release from MSP, Popp is 56th trooper to be killed in the line of duty. The 39-year-old graduated as a member of the 137th Trooper Recruit School after enlisting with the organization in January 2020.
He is survived by his wife, Stefanie, and a young daughter, officials said.