He won regional Edward R. Murrow awards for the jail death series and for his coverage of disgraced former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

Dietz said in his profile that he loved meeting the people behind the news.

"My favorite part of this job is meeting local Detroiters with incredible stories or inspirational lives. I meet people from all walks of life who teach me what's important in life and how to become a better person," he said.

In 2013, Dietz made headlines himself. He was jailed under Michigan's "super drunk" law after being cited that February in Bloomfield Township for driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.17% or higher, according to Michigan Secretary of State records. At the time, Dietz apologized to his family, WDIV and viewers in a statement that wasposted on the station's website.

Dietz, a lifelong Michigander, was born in Detroit and grew up in Bloomfield Hills. He attended Birmingham Brother Rice High School and graduated from Western Michigan University.

Dietz closed his Monday night Facebook post by saying he is looking toward the future.

"Soon enough I will start the first day of the rest of my professional career," he wrote. "I am surprisingly optimistic and excited about this new challenge and opportunity. I am proud of my long standing efforts to support and showcase diversity in our community.

"I am even more proud of my 30-year record of broadcast reporting that has helped thousands of people without the voice, power or platform to help themselves."

Contact Ann Zaniewski: 313-222-6594 or azaniewski@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @AnnZaniewski.