CARRIER - Pamela Sue Carrier, age 63, of Comstock Park, MI., passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 from complications due to early-onset dementia. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Miriam (Mock) Bryan; her sister, Clara Elizabeth (Bryan) Kustowski; and her brother, Randy Bryan. Pam is survived by her husband, Ronald; her daughters, Kristen Carrier (future son-in-law, David Cron) and Angie Carrier; her brother, Geoff Bryan, as well as countless other loved ones - nieces, nephews, Godchildren, in-laws, and friends who are more like family. She was born in Logan, OH., and moved to Marysville, MI., until she graduated from high school. After graduating from high school, Pam went to Ferris State University, with the love of her life, her husband Ronald; and became a campus police officer after graduating with her degree in Criminal Justice. Completing her time at Ferris, she moved to Grand Rapids, MI., to become a police officer at Grand Rapids Police Department on May 27, 1980. It was Pam's dream to become a police officer, and she went after her dream at full speed. She spent time in the Vice unit, working in undercover narcotics, which she loved. Pam soon was promoted to Sergeant, the first at the department. Not stopping there, Pam led the way and paved the way as she became the first female in the history of the GRPD to achieve the ranks of Lieutenant and then Captain, earning her Captain's bars on June 21, 1998. Pam's notable accomplishments include leading and pioneering the department's Cop-2-Cop Peer Support Team and serving as the leader of their Crisis Negotiation Team, for many years. She was also one of the founding members of the department's Police Memorial Committee, which led to the fund raising for, and permanent installation of, the Grand Rapids Police Memorial, which now stands in the lobby of the GRPD, honoring the department's fallen. Pam served 31 years with the Grand Rapids Police Department and retired on June 30, 2011. In that time, she inspired countless other women (and men) to push forward, work hard, and treat everyone with kindness. She dedicated her life to serving others and brought joy to everyone she came in contact with. As she would tell anyone who knew her, however, her greatest joy was her family. While working full time as a police officer and earning her Master's degree in Counseling from Western Michigan University, Pam raised two daughters who knew every day how much their mother loved them and how hard she worked to set the most impressive example of what it meant to be giving, loving, kind, and tough. She attended school functions, helped in classrooms, went to dance recitals, and chaperoned field trips. If there ever was a supermom, it was Pam. Her dancing partner throughout all of her incredible life was Ronald, who she met in Port Huron, MI. They married in 1976. He made her laugh (groan) with his "dad jokes," was an equal force in raising their two daughters, and loved Pam fiercely. This was especially exemplified in the last four years as he was the most amazing caregiver to her after Pam's dementia diagnosis. Pam's loss has been felt immensely by all who loved her. The world will not be the same without her smile, her dancing, her kindness, and her intelligence. The family would like to thank all of their family and friends who have supported them throughout the years. Please remember Pam as her true self - smiling, dancing, laughing, and happy. The family will greet family and friends at the Beuschel Funeral Home, 5018 Alpine Avenue N.W., Comstock Park, MI. 49321 from 3 to 7 p.m., on Sunday, April 9, 2017. The funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church, 227 Fulton Street N.E., Grand Rapids, MI. 49503 on Monday, April 10, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Dr. Bob Hundley officiating and under the auspices of the Grand Rapids Police Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Pam's name to the Alzheimer's Association of Grand Rapids, an organization that has helped and supported the family over the years. First Visitation

April 9, 2017 3:00pm - 7:00pm,

Beuschel Funeral Home

5018 Alpine Avenue Comstock Park, MI 49321

Second Visitation

April 10, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am,

First United Methodist Church

227 Fulton Street NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Service Information

April 10, 2017 11:00am,

First United Methodist Church

227 Fulton Street NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503