Sgt. James Gilmer

WAKEFIELD — The Michigan State Police (MSP) Wakefield Post announced the recent promotion of a new sergeant. Sergeant James Gilmer has been a dedicated member of the MSP for more than twenty-five years prior to this promotion. Gilmer grew up in Bergland, Michigan, before his family moved to Ontonagon. He graduated from Ontonagon High School and went on to attend Northern Michigan University, where he studied criminal justice. While attending NMU, he began his law enforcement career in 1995 with the Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy Sheriff. He served as a Deputy Sheriff/K-9 Officer until joining the MSP in September 2000.

After completing the 119th Trooper Recruit School, Gilmer was first assigned to the Stephenson Post. Over the past twenty-five years, he has served at posts throughout Michigan, including the Stephenson, Detroit, Wakefield, Brighton, and First District Headquarters in Lansing, where he was part of the HST Drug Interdiction Team. He also served with the Special Investigations Division in Livonia as part of the Marijuana and Tobacco Investigations Unit.

Reflecting on his career, Gilmer said, “The main reason I pursued a career in law enforcement was I always wanted to be doing something different throughout the day. I didn’t want a job where I was stuck behind a desk every day. This career gave me an opportunity to help people and give back to the community I was working in.”

Being back in his hometown area again is something Gilmer said he is excited about. “It is nice to have the opportunity to come back home to be close to family and friends,” he said. “Working as a sergeant at the Wakefield Post allows me an opportunity to work with and mentor younger troopers who are starting their careers. The Wakefield Post has great leadership and the troopers here are an outstanding bunch of hard-working guys that enjoy serving their community to the best of their ability. I look forward to serving Gogebic and Ontonagon County.”