Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper George Lappi and Trooper Bert Pozza were shot and killed after responding to backup another trooper at the scene of a domestic disturbance in Vienna Township. When the first trooper arrived, the suspect threatened him with a rifle. As Trooper Lappi began to negotiate with the suspect, he inadvertently exposed himself and was shot. As Trooper Pozza attempted to find cover, he was also shot. The suspect was taken into custody a short time later. He died of pneumonia several days later while in custody. Trooper Lappi had served with the Michigan State Police and had been with the Flint post for two years. He was survived by his wife and two children. His third child was born four hours after his funeral.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-E4EC46BC- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Lappi gave the Michigan State Police 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Michigan. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Lappi.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper George Eino Lappi is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At MI State Police, 27 of 57 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Eino Lappi's cause is highlighted.
How George Eino Lappi Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Eino Lappi is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Eino Lappi was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
56 officers from MI State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
