Was Yonkers on-duty? We'll never know

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The family of Barry County Deputy Christopher Yonkers, who died in a motorcycle crash, has withdrawn a request that could have meant more than $300,000 in federal death benefits.

A hearing was scheduled for Friday in Grand Rapids to determine whether Yonkers, an undercover officer, was on-duty at the time of his death.

But the family's attorney, Michael Otis, withdrew the petition.

"The case is dismissed," Otis said. He wouldn't say why the family withdrew the request.

If a magistrate had determined he was working, the family could have been eligible for not only workers' compensation, but also for $315,000 in federal death benefits.

He could also have gotten his name on walls honoring fallen officers in Washington, D.C., and in Michigan.

Otis said he could file a new petition to reopen the case, "but that is not on my horizon right now."

Yonkers, 43, of Hastings, was driving his motorcycle west on M-43 near Usborne Road, north of Hastings, about 9:45 p.m. on Oct. 17 when a car turned left in front of him, police said.

The driver, Justin Malik, 25, of Hastings, faces charges of operating while impaired causing death and driving on a suspended license causing death -- both 15-year felonies.

The deputy's death has led to controversy in Barry County. Sheriff Dar Leaf at first insisted he was on-duty. Two state police troopers who worked with Yonkers were disciplined for writing reports suggesting he was working.

Yonkers was assigned to a Michigan State Police drug team. State Police have reported he was not working at the time of the crash.