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Incident
Officer Lee Cole was killed in an automobile crash when his patrol car was struck by another vehicle that had run a red light at E. Palmer and Elmwood. The collision occurred at 1:50 a.m. as he and his partner were driving a couple home after the couple's car had broken down. Officer Cole was a United States WWI veteran and served with the Royal Oak City Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and nine siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Cole gave the Royal Oak City Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Royal Oak community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Lee Cole served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Royal Oak City Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Lee is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
Lee is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Lee is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1944, 2 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 33rd heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 1944, 48 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 99th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1944, 59 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 93rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Lee was 50. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34. Lee had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lee was 50. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Lee had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lee was 50. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Lee had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8.5% of these deaths in MI; August holds the most, 14.3%. Wednesdays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Royal Oak City Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Royal Oak City Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Lee among them.
Where
Military Service
Lee Cole served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Lee Cole’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Royal Oak City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
