his career, and the long list of stories I have done on television fighting against racism in Michigan."

Dietz apologized.

"I regret the fact that it happened, and apologize to anyone I might have offended," he wrote. "I love Detroit and everyone who calls it 'home.' Every situation creates opportunity for personal growth, and that is how I view this event in my life."

Dietz has been at the station since June 1993. He joined the Local 4 Defenders Investigative Unit in 1996, according to his profile on the station's website.

With a style that could be in-your-face, Dietz has reported extensively on high-profile topics such as the Oakland County Child Killer, the saga of "White Boy" Rick Wershe Jr., and the Flint water crisis.

"During his career, Kevin has covered the PersianGulf War from Saudi Arabia, flew a fighter jet with the famous Blue Angels, visited the devastating hurricanes that pummeled the Florida coast and reported live at the scene of a Michigan man put to death in the electric chair after being found guilty of murder in Georgia," reads his profile.

More:Arrest made, car impounded in Lodge reckless driving case

More:Chicago-style pizza restaurant Giordano's shutters downtown Detroit location

"But his proudest moment came when he helped clear a 13-year-old girl of murder charges by showing how the 5-year-old neighbor whom she was accused of killing suffered from seizures and actually drowned in the bathtub."

Dietz has won 15 Michigan Emmys, including two this year for investigations of police brutality in Inkster and a jail death in Macomb County, according to his profile.