Michelle grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she developed a passion for sports, particularly soccer. She played on various recreational and travel teams throughout high school. After graduating, she attended Seton Hill University to pursue a major in criminal justice. While at Seton Hill, she met with an Army recruiter and, in February 2004, paused her college studies to enlist in the Army, choosing to specialize as a military police officer.

After completing basic training, she was deployed with the 212th Military Police Company, first to Germany and then to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Following her time in Afghanistan and Germany, she was selected as one of two women for a special assignment in Brussels, Belgium, where she provided protective services for NATO. Michelle served for nine years in the Army, primarily as a member of the military police, before being honorably discharged in 2012 due to an injury.

Following her military service, she continued her education at Point Park University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in August 2014. Sadly, Michelle passed away on March 30, 2015. Her legacy lives on through her family, friends, and comrades.