Sgt. Michael A. Conrad

Columbia Police Sergeant Michael A. (Muscles) Conrad, 51, of Columbia died at home Monday evening, April 22, surrounded by his family. He was born February 14, 1973 the son of Michael G. Conrad and the late Margaret Ann Conrad (nee Lepp). He was the husband of Laurie A. Conrad (nee Rippelmeyer). They were married May 3, 2008. He was given the nickname "Muscles" as a child by his uncles.
Besides his wife and father, Mr. Conrad is survived by two daughters, Sophie and Morgan; three sisters, Susan (Thomas) Risse of Seattle, Wash.; Anne (Dan) Brady of St. Louis; and Katheryn (Maury) Kruse of Waterloo; father-in-law, David A. Rippelmeyer of Waterloo; brother-in-law, Brett (Lindsay) Rippelmeyer of Columbia; nieces and nephews Tris and Natalie Risse, Meg and Brenna Brady, Colin and Ryan Kruse, and Luke, Carter and Ben Rippelmeyer along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Besides his mother, Mr. Conrad was preceded in death by his grandparents, Roy P. and Georganne Conrad and Harry and Margaret Lepp and his mother-in-law, Linda M. Rippelmeyer (nee Schilling).
Sergeant Conrad began his career at the Dupo Police Department in 1997. On June 1, 1999 he joined the Columbia Police Department and was promoted to sergeant in 2005. He served in various capacities within the Columbia Police Department as well as serving on the Police Pension Board. He also served on the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force, the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis and was deputy commander of the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois. He served as the founder and chairman of the Monroe County Fraternal Order of Police Joe Callis Annual 5K Run to benefit the FOP Scholarship Fund.
Mr. Conrad was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Church in Columbia, a graduate of Immaculate Conception Grade School (ICS), Gibault Catholic High School, and he earned a bachelor's degree in criminal law enforcement from SIU Carbondale. He served on the ICS Building Committee as chairman of the Gymnasium and Playground Equipment Committee.
Mr. Conrad was an avid St. Louis and Notre Dame Sports Fan and enjoyed boating, fishing and spending time on the lake. His favorite place was at Tablerock Lake with his family and friends.
Visitation will be Monday, April 29 at Immaculate Conception Church in Columbia from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesday morning April 30, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. with Fr. Steve Thoma officiating. Burial will be at Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Sophie and Morgan Conrad Education Fund, the Fraternal Order of Police #145 Scholarship Fund or the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Catholic Education Activities Center.