LANSING — After 29 years of service, Sergeant Jerry Hilborn will be retiring from the Michigan State Police.
According to a March 27 MSP news release, Hilnborn’s retirement will be effective March 31.
Hilborn is a native of Carson City and earned his Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Business Administration at Ferris State University.
Hilborn began his career with the MSP on March 10, 1996, as a member of the 114th Trooper Recruit School. His first post assignment was at the Alpena Post as a trooper.
He served the citizens of Alpena from 1996 to 2003. In 2003, he was promoted to sergeant of the Seventh District Reconstruction Unit and still serves in that capacity.
In 2005, Hilborn received full accreditation as a Traffic Crash Reconstructionist by the Accreditation Commission of Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR).
He spent much of his career investigating serious and fatal traffic crashes, bringing closure to families who have lost loved ones. He also instructed traffic crash investigation courses to many police agencies throughout the state and serves as an expert witness in traffic crash investigations.
One of Sergeant Hilborn’s career highlights was when he played a role in Forensic Files Season 13, Episode 23, “Drowning Sorrows.”
Hilborn also received the Richard H. Austin Long-Term Service Award at the 28th annual Michigan Traffic Safety Summit on March 5, 2025. He received the award because of his thorough crash investigations and determination to find the root cause of unfortunate and tragic traffic crashes.
Hilborn said he plans to enjoy his family and friends in retirement.
