George Eino Lappi

MI State Police — Lansing, MI

Felonious

End of Watch November 19, 1956

Age 27

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

The Vigil Panel 92 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 56

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: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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

Department MI State Police

Location Lansing, MI

Platform Identity msp.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 19, 1956

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 27

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle

Offender Deceased

Trooper George Eino Lappi is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

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.

MI State Police

of 57 officers

47.4% Felonious

MI — Statewide

426

of 718 officers

59.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious