Dearborn Heights Police Officer Adam Krot (left) with his late father Dearborn Heights Police Department Lt. Bruce Krot who died July 2 after losing his battle with cancer.
By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — Police Lt. Bruce Krot, 50, died the morning of July 2 after losing his long battle with cancer. He served the department for 20 years.
Krot leaves his wife, Melissa Krot; daughter Ashley Kierpaul; son Dearborn Heights Police Officer Adam Krot; sister Racheal Manthei; and granddaughter Bella Krot.
Visitation for Bruce Krot is scheduled for July 9 with funeral services set for July 10 at Voran Funeral Home-Dearborn Chapel, 23701 Ford Road in Dearborn.
Donations can be made to Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit.
“It’s bittersweet to announce my beloved husband, a devoted parent, grandfather, brother, friend and a badass brother in blue went home today at 11:36 a.m. surrounded by his family,” Melissa Krot wrote on Facebook. “He fought this battle in true warrior style and gave cancer hell all the way to the end. He will be missed more than words can say.”
According to a Dearborn Heights Police Department Facebook post, Bruce Krot made more than 1,500 drunken driving or drugged driving arrests and earned numerous citations. He received the Mothers Against Drunk Driving award 16 times as a police officer and also received his last and most prestigious award, the MADD Longevity Award in June 2018.
“During his 20 years of service, Bruce was one of the most dedicated and decorated officers to serve with the Dearborn Heights Police Department,” the post read. “Bruce loved every part of his job and was very proud to represent the Dearborn Heights Police Department. He was one of the best and it was an honor for all of us to serve alongside him here at the department. Bruce was most proud of his family who are all in law enforcement as well!”
Bruce Krot was sworn in as sergeant in 2014 and as lieutenant in 2018.
“He fought an excruciating, yet courageous battle against cancer the past few years and stayed strong until the end,” the Facebook post said. “Bruce is and will always remain a legacy at the Dearborn Heights Police Department. He will truly be missed by every life that he had the opportunity to touch. Our condolences go out to the Krot family, his wife Melissa, daughter Ashley, son Adam. Rest in peace now brother … we will take it from here.”
Adam Krot, who was sworn in as a Dearborn Heights police officer in December, asked that anyone with photos of his father send them so they can be used in a digital frame the family has set up in their living room.
“We have had a rough day but we have also had an overwhelming amount of support from phone calls, texts, and Facebook messages from family and friends,” the Facebook post read. “Everyone who knew Bruce knew how much he loved his pictures and this picture frame will come with him to the arrangements next week for everyone to see.”
Photos of Bruce Krot can be emailed to [email protected]
The Dearborn Police Department shared a Facebook post sending its condolences to the men and women of the Dearborn Heights Police Department.
“Lt. Krot was an honorable police officer who dedicated his life to public service and will be greatly missed by many,” the post read. “From all of us at the Dearborn Police Department, we send our thoughts and prayers to the friends and family Lt. Bruce Krot.”
Friend Thomas Page also posted a message July 2 for his “colleague and Drug Recognition Expert, Bruce Krot of the Dearborn Heights Police Department,” as Page called him in the Facebook post.
“A true gentleman who devoted his life to protecting and serving. I was fortunate to spend time with Bruce at the March Michigan Traffic Safety Summit,” Page wrote. “He knew his days were numbered, but never once complained, never asked for sympathy.”
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected])