GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — Scott Bylsma died on April 13 after a two year battle with ALS.
Bylsma was a decorated officer with the Grand Rapids Police Department for twenty years, from 1997 to 2017. He left the department after getting diagnosed with ALS—a neurodegenerative disease.
A funeral has been planned for Bylsma. It will take place on Friday, April 19 at Life Stream Church in Allendale.
The Grand Rapids Police Department responded to the news of Bylsma's death by saying that have mixed emotions as they honor him. "Selfish sadness that he is no longer with us on earth; peace that he is no longer suffering after a 2 year battle with ALS; joy that Scott will be watching over us from above," a statement read.
"Through it all, Scott has been a pillar of strength reaching far beyond anyone who has ever met him. His contagious smile and upbeat outlook on life will carry on in everyone his story has touched."
During his 20-year career, Bylsma did it all from street-level policing to investigation, to being a part of the special response team. He was named the 2016 GRPD Officer of the Year two weeks before getting his ALS diagnosis.
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