By Laura Phelps
The Detroit News
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Shock and sadness reverberated across Eastern Michigan University’s campus Friday as word spread of campus Police Chief Greg O’Dell’s death from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Around noon Friday, the Ann Arbor Police Department received a call from an O’Dell relative after the discovery of what the family member thought was a suicide note, said Derrick Jackson, director of community engagement for the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s office.
O’Dell, 54, a longtime Ann Arbor resident, had more than 30 years experience in law enforcement. He was hired in August to become the University of Michigan’s police chief but returned to Eastern earlier this month. Eastern Michigan University President Susan Martin offered prayers to O’Dell’s family and friends.
“Chief O’Dell was a wonderful man who was deeply admired for his tremendous contributions to the Ann Arbor and Eastern Michigan communities,” said Susan Martin, EMU’s president, in a statement. “He was respected both as a caring person and as a highly accomplished police officer.”
Police discovered O’Dell’s body a short distance from his vehicle in the 3000 block of Huron River Drive in Scio Township.
Jackson said the office does not have any details about the note yet, other than it was what prompted the 911 call.
“Greg O’Dell was a professional in every sense of the word,” said Roy Wilbanks, chair of the board of regents at Eastern. “He was highly valued for his leadership of public safety efforts at Eastern, where he made tremendous impact in a few short years.”
O’Dell’s contributions included programs to encourage students to lock their doors, expanding foot patrols, and leading the initiative for a new $3.9 million Department of Public Safety building.
He was married with two kids and was an Eastern alumnus.
Copyright 2011 The Detroit News