Harper Woods police officer killed in motorcycle crash on Gratiot Avenue

CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A Harper Woods police officer was killed in a motorcycle crash Monday night on Gratiot Avenue south of 21 Mile Road in Chesterfield Township.

Ronnie Karjo, 46, of Macomb Township, was killed when his motorcycle collided with a car just before 10 p.m. in the southbound lanes of Gratiot Avenue. Chesterfield Township police say Karjo was traveling southbound when he was struck by a car traveling northbound which was making a turn into a gas station.

Karjo was transported to McLaren Macomb Hospital where he died from his injuries. The driver of the car is a 21-year-old resident of Chesterfield Township who was treated for minor injuries.

Chesterfield Township police and Michigan State Police are investigating the cause of this deadly crash.

Karjo had been a police officer for 19 years during which he worked as an officer with the Inkster Police Department. He was with the Harper Woods Police Department for two years, said Chief Jim Burke.

He is survived by a wife and four children.

Chesterfield Township Police Chief Brad Kersten said the crash remains under investigation. The 21-year-old is cooperating with investigators.
"The investigation is ongoing. The detectives are actively working it. Once we complete the investigation we will forward it to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office for review," said Kersten.

The accident is just minutes away from Karjo's Macomb Township home.

Karjo is going to be remembered at the department as a man who mentored younger officers.

"He made a huge impact in the community. We're really feeling it," said Burke.

Funeral information

Visitation

Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at EJ Mandziuk and Son Funeral Home, 3801 18 Mile Road, Sterling Heights

Funeral

Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. George Chaldean Catholic Church, 45700 Dequindre Road. Internment will follow at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy.