Decorated state police colonel, THS alumnus dies at 89

Ritchie Davis

By HERALD STAFF

Ritchie Truman (RT) Davis, a 1955 graduate of Tecumseh High School who went on to earn the rank of colonel and become the director of the Michigan State Police, died at the age of 89 on March 4 in Lansing, Mich. 

According to his obituary, Davis was born February 12, 1937, in Petoskey, Mich., to R.T. and Ruby Davis. He attended Charlevoix Public school through the 7th grade, then transferred to Tecumseh Public Schools, where he graduated in 1955. He was a triple sports participant in basketball, football and track and held records for at least 20 years in the 100- and 220-yard dashes.

Davis worked for his father’s asphalt paving business throughout high school and several years after, then began his career in law enforcement in 1961 with the Ann Arbor Police Department. His next career move was to a position with the Michigan State University Department of Public Safety, and in 1963, he joined the Michigan State Police and served at Mount Pleasant, Jackson and the Training Division in East Lansing.

His obituary states that in 1970, he was promoted to corporal and over the next 21 years he served as corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and lieutenant colonel before being appointed director (colonel) in 1987 by the honorable James Blanchard, who was then Michigan’s governor.

Davis was credited as being a visionary who was innovative and forward thinking. He was an original member of the M.S.P. bomb squad, helped start the first trooper drivers’ training program and worked to diversify the department membership. He was a graduate of the 101st session of the F.B.I. National Academy and of the 11th session of the F.B.I. National Executive Institute at Quantico, Va.

Davis earned an associate degree from Lansing Community College, a B.S. degree from Michigan State University (MSU) and an M.S. degree from Western Michigan University during his career. He retired from the Michigan State Police on January 19, 1991, after 28 years of service. 

After his retirement he worked for the Michigan Truck Safety Commission as project director from 1993 to 1999, and following that position Governor John Engler appointed him as an original member of the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

In 2015, he was inducted into the wall of fame at the MSU school of Criminal Justice, and in 2016, Davis was inducted into the Tecumseh Alumni Association Wall of Fame. “It’s humbling to begin with,” Davis said in a 2016 Herald story about the Tecumseh Alumni Association honor. “When I think of all my fellow classmates and their accomplishments, it’s hard to believe, but it’s certainly appreciated.”

In the story, Davis credited former Tecumseh coach Vic Lawson as being a mentor when he was a member of the Tecumseh High School basketball team. 

Regarding his role with the Michigan State Police, “I was really active with equal employment opportunity as a sergeant,” Davis said, noting that the first Black officer was appointed in 1967. “I was instrumental in promoting the diversification of Black and Hispanic troopers.”

In 1991, 13.5% of the force were minorities. “I thought it was quite an accomplishment,” Davis said at the time. “It affected the population of the state and helped prevent insurrection throughout the state. In the early ‘70s, we promoted one of the first Blacks to major. He was the highest-ranking state police officer in the United States.”

At that time, Detroit was still reeling from the riots of the late 1960s. Davis was staying at the Eight Mile Road Armory in Detroit when a familiar face came knocking, the story stated.

“Coach Lawson was a major in the National Guard and he woke me up. I took him for a ride with me,” Davis remembered. “After that, he always joked that I was trying to get him killed that night. I maintained a close relationship with him until he died.”

Davis spent the last years of his life in Charlevoix. He is survived by his wife Marsha; daughters Lori (Randy) Park, Tammy Russell (Toby Pittman); sons Tim, Tom, Rob (Martha); six grandchildren Joe (Natalia) Boyd, Jessica (John) Conley, Justin Bashore, Noah (Amber) Davis, Reece (Suzy) Davis and Mackenzie Davis; and seven great-grandchildren. His sister, Patricia Lelling, preceded him in death.

Contributions may be made to the M.S.P Fallen Troopers Memorial in the memory of Colonel R.T. Davis, by sending a check payable to MSTSF-FTM to Michigan State Police Troopers Association, 1715 Abbey Rd., Suite B, East Lansing, MI 48823.

“It was the very best of times,” Davis said in 2016 about his career. “In my 33 years we did a hell of a lot more good than we did harm.”