Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Mike and I attended Graduate School at the University of Detroit at the same time. We were both "on the job" at the time, he at D.P.D. and I worked in Southfield. We sat side-by-side during many classes of the Master's program. We proudly graduated on the same day.
In March of 1983. with great shock I recieved a telephone call from Dan Kennedy, head of the Criminal Justice program at U of D at the time. You see, Mike had accepted the position of Adjunct Professor at U of D and was teaching mid-semester. Tragically, they needed someone to step in to complete the course he had been teaching. With a heavy heart over the loss of a brother officer and a friend, I agreed to help out. I will always remember the sad, empty shallow feeling I had in my gut the day I walked into the front of that classroom. Somehow, the class and I together, got through to the end of the semester. All of these years later . . . I will never forget my friend.

Sgt. Roger Fleming,retired
Southfield Police Department

December 12, 2024

Mike was a good friend of my brother Mike Gismonde. We all were in the Boy Scouts. It really was a shock to us all. He was great friend. He’s with the Lord.

Russell Gismonde Sr
Friend

April 11, 2024

It's hard to believe, but 40 years ago tomorrow, marks the day that Sgt. Bossuyt ended his watch. Doesn't seem like it was that long ago already. I thank him for his service.

anonymous

March 7, 2023

Rest in peace Sergeant Bossuyt.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 28, 2019

Rest in Heaven. 3/8/2019

KS
Neighbor

March 8, 2019

The details of that day are forever etched in my memory. I will never forget that time, and Mike will never be forgotten. I've come to internalize, through time, that we lose the ones we love and we cannot change that. Coming to peace with that fact helps, if only a little. No one said life is fair, but this was a tough one. I pity the living who never knew him in life.

Here's to the better times, Mike, cruising from here to there in that brown Camaro. (Or was it a Firebird?) No matter, the one with that broken window from your neighbor! Hearing you talk about getting your son's stolen bike back always sticks with me, too. And your neighbor's dog that attacked your kid...Christ. Your (never ending) chats with Lt. Ferris always kept me waiting. I remember these stories like yesterday. Miss you, friend. We'll have a lot to catch up on, one day.

Anonymous, Ret.
DPD

July 25, 2018

I miss you every day

Teri Bossuyt Gribbin
sister

July 18, 2018

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

March 10, 2018

I was a Criminal Justice major, now an attorney, when I first met Sgt Bossuyt. Sgt Bossuyt was my adjunct professor at University of Detroit when this incident happened.

It brought great sadness to me knowing that a fine person like Professor Bossuyt was viciously murdered.

Whenever an incident like this happens, I think of Professor Bossuyt and why we should respect our men and women in blue. RIP, professor.

Cindy
Former student

March 8, 2018

There's a thing called Facebook now Mike, and all the old cops you worked with have been on it all day reminiscing your glory days with the DPD. You will never be forgotten.

Jimmy Palm, Detroit PD Retired
Detroit PD

March 8, 2018

Thirty five years ago today. There is solace knowing that I will see his guy when I get to the other side, and we can hang out again.

KS
Neighbor

March 8, 2018

It always hits home a little more than usual when this date of March 8th, actually falls on the day of the week Mike died on; a Tuesday. Thirty Three years past, it still feels like yesterday. But alas it has been a long time ago now. I wish Mike were still here to joke around with and shoot the breeze with in conversation, because it was always enjoyable.

Karla Schettenhelm
Detroit Neighbor

March 8, 2016

I know from personal experience Teri, it doesn't stop hurting. You just sort of learn to live with it. To this day I don't think one week goes by where I don't think of Mike even if it's only for a brief moment. I may remember a conversation he and I had or something funny he did. If it stopped hurting entirely I think that would be odd. You're just a normal person who misses your brother.

K. Schettenhelm
neighbor

December 25, 2015

I still hurt. When does ir stop?

teresa bossuyt
sibling

November 8, 2015

thank you for all your comments. I am still grieving and this helps me TERI Bossuyt grab

gribbin

September 28, 2015

Thirty two years. Hard to believe that so much time has gone by. Mike was like a brother to me.

K. Schettenhelm
Friend/Neighbor

March 29, 2015

Bossuyt Family,

I went to grade school with Tony and I would like to inform you that I will be riding in the 2015 Police Unity Tour this May in honor of Sgt. Michael Bossuyt. I hope this reflection finds the family in good health and as a reminder that he will never be forgotten.

Deputy Brian Vitale
Kent County Sheriff Dept

March 20, 2015

Another year has passed and it has now been 31 years ago already since Mike's passing. Whenever I think of him it always seems like it was just yesterday when I saw him last. But it has been quite a while now and I still miss him now as much as I did then.

Karla Schettenhelm
Neighbor/Friend

March 8, 2014

I loved Mike too. He was the coolest.
Thanks Teri.
Karla

Karla Schettenhelm
Neighbor/Friend

August 28, 2013

Karla, mike loved you. Thank you for your thoughts. i feel the same

teri sister
sister

July 3, 2013

It's hard to believe that it's been almost 30 years since Mike has been gone, because it doesn't seem that long ago. I still remember the way he laughed and spoke. The way he'd drift off someplace in his mind while thinking, to the point where I'd literally have to nudge him to get his attention he'd be so deep in thought. I miss going on bike rides with him and his kids, ending up down by the lake, and playing catch/baseball. Shooting hoops in the backyard. He is forever locked in at age 34. And while he never had to get old, or be terminally ill, end up in an old folks home, I still prefer that he was here, older and grayer. Selfish as that may be of me, I guess it is also selfishness that makes us miss loved ones after they are gone.

K. J. Schettenhelm
Neighbor/Detroit

February 2, 2013

thanks for all your thoughts

Teri Bossuyt Gribbin

teresa gribbin

July 8, 2012

RIP Sir

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

March 8, 2012

bossuyt family, rose & my mom mariette were best friends. mike & i were good friends. i rode 2 school in scout car with mike & joe . i think about him often.

norm brewer
childhood friend

January 16, 2012

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 8, 2010