At the young age of 25, Deputy Grant Whitaker died in the line of duty during a high speed pursuit on December 7, 2014.

Whitaker, an alum, was a well-known and beloved member of our school community.

The dedication came to be when state senator Curtis Hertel Jr. introduced Senate Bill 509 that would make a portion of highway M-52 named “Deputy Grant Whitaker Memorial Highway.”

The naming gives comfort and pride to Whitaker’s family.

“I feel that by naming the highway after Grant shows a tremendous amount of respect for the sacrifice he made for this community,” 7th grade language arts teacher and sister-in-law of Deputy Whitaker, Laura Whitaker, said.

“Grant made an impact on the people here; as a student-athlete who graduated from our schools, to a Stockbridge police officer, and then as an Ingham County deputy.”

The renaming of the highway serves as a reminder for people to remember Deputy Whitaker.

“He will be thought of and remembered daily. It’s a way we can honor him even though he is no longer here with us,” Whitaker said.  

On December 5, Governor Rick Snyder signed the bill. “It was a bittersweet moment for us as December 5 was also the last night we saw Grant,” Whitaker said. “Just a special time all around.”