Michael W. Applequist, 72, of Bedford, Texas, passed away in Dallas on Sunday, April 18, 2021.  

Mike was born September 27, 1948 in Brooklyn, NY.  Having grown up in Brooklyn and on Long Island, Mike enlisted in the US Army out of high school in 1965.  He proudly wore the Green Beret while serving as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army 7th Special Forces group through 1968. 

He joined the Suffolk County Police Department in 1978 while attending and earning his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from C.W. Post, Long Island University.  As a Police Officer, he was assigned to the 2nd Precinct, Highway Patrol Bureau, and Motor Carrier Safety Unit. Mike remained loyal and dedicated to the department and his brothers for 35 years.  From 1994 to 2013, when he retired, he was honored to have been elected to serve the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association as a Delegate, Headquarters East Trustee, and Financial Secretary.  

On Christmas Eve, December 24, 1984 Mike married Caroline Murchison. They resided and raised two children, Scott and Kate, in Oyster Bay, NY.  Larger than life, his family was his reason for living and he was happiest cheering on his kids at a game and being involved with a school or community event with so many close friends and family alongside of him.

He was a proud man, proud father, and proud American and loved nothing more than to lead every Memorial Day parade driving his Vietnam-era military jeep.  Mike was a Master Mason and a long-standing member of the Matinecock Lodge in Oyster Bay and served as Trustee of the lodge for 8 years.   

He had a large gentlemen’s network of friends and was extremely social with his magnetic personality and scotch in hand.  Honoring his Scottish heritage, you could often find him donning his dress kilt while being the life of the party.  Mike could light up a room with his presence, smile, and Long Island Expressway voice.  He took great pride in his ability to organize and fix anything, anywhere, and any time for anyone and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. 

Mike is survived by his wife, Caroline of Bedford, TX, son, M. Scott Applequist (Kelsey) of Dallas, TX, daughter, Kate Applequist of Bedford, TX, his precious granddaughter, Ollie, daughter of Scott and Kelsey, countless other family members near and dear to his heart, and of course, his best buddy, Newman, one his many Springer Spaniels.

I choose to believe. I believe in the power of a calling. I believe in honor and sacrifice, in courage through danger and strength through the struggle. I believe in hope. I believe in the power of will, injustice, in a new day, and in making a difference. I will never stop believing no matter what comes my way. Some may hate, others will turn a blind eye. There will be hurdles and risks. Loss of brothers and sisters and the challenge to keep going. No matter what confronts me, no matter the danger, I will keep my faith, my hope, and my courage. I am a defender and a peacekeeper. I am a sheepdog.