Grant Whitaker Memorial Highway unveiled

Friends and family, law officers and government officials assembled at the intersection of Mich. 52 and Mich. 106 to mark the occasion in honor of the late Deputy Grant Whitaker. Pictured above: Deputy Grant Whitaker’s parents, Mary and Clyde Whitaker.

Article and photos by Patrice Johnson

The sun broke gently through puffy white clouds during the afternoon of Friday, April 27, as more than 50 people gathered for the unveiling of signage marking the Grant Whitaker Memorial Highway.

Friends and family, law officers and government officials assembled at the intersection of Mich. 52 and Mich. 106 to mark the occasion in honor of the late Deputy Grant Whitaker. Bicycling members of the Police Unity Tour formed a respectful line of blue.

Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr. (D-East Lansing) was the first to speak, welcoming all in attendance and thanking his assistant, Kathleen Farhat, for coming back from maternity leave with her newborn to celebrate the event.

Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth said, “Let this sign serve as a remembrance of the ultimate price Grant Whitaker paid.”

Last December, Gov. Rick Snyder signed Senate Bill 509 into law, renaming a portion of State Highway Mich. 52 from the intersection of Mich. 106 to the intersection of Mich. 36 in Stockbridge as the “Deputy Grant Whitaker Memorial Highway” in the fallen deputy’s honor.

Grant Whitaker’s nephew, Henry James Whitaker, came dressed in full uniform and stands proudly with his mother, Laura Whitaker.

Grant Whitaker’s nephew, Henry James Whitaker, came dressed in full uniform and stood proudly with his mother, Laura Whitaker.

Deputy Whitaker died in the line of duty on Dec. 7, 2014, during pursuit of a fleeing driver who had attempted to elude a traffic stop. Whitaker’s patrol car left the roadway and struck a tree during the chase and Whitaker suffered mortal injuries. The driver of the fleeing vehicle was arrested and convicted of eluding police and driving on a suspended license. He is currently serving a prison sentence.

“Every day that Grant served he did his very best,” Whitaker’s mother, Mary Whitaker, said after helping unveil the sign.

Sen. Curtis Hertel, Clyde Whitaker and Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth.

Clyde and Mary Whitaker share a quiet moment.

Bicycling members of the Police Unity Tour form a respectful line of blue.

Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth and Sen. Curtis Hertel prepare to deliver remarks and welcome the crowd.

The unveiling. “Every day that Grant served he did his very best,” Whitaker’s mother, Mary Whitaker, said after helping unveil the sign.