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Incident
Detective Sergeant Headley Downey suffered a fatal heart attack while he another officer were conducting an investigation on the campus of the University of Michigan. The suspect was taking them into a locker room in the Waterman Gymnasium to show them where he had hidden a wallet. During the investigation, Detective Sergeant Downey became ill and suffered the heart attack. The gymnasium was located at the intersection of North University Avenue and East University Avenue where the Williard Henry Dow Laboratory was later built after the gymnasium was torn down in 1977. Detective Sergeant Downey was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Ann Arbor Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four sons, and six grandchildren.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Headley is one person.
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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.
Detective Sergeant Downey gave the Ann Arbor Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ann Arbor 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
Headley Downey served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Ann Arbor Police Department has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Headley is one of 39 officers lost to cardiac events in MI, 5.5% of the 703 remembered there.
Headley is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Headley is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1963, 1 officer in MI was lost to cardiac events, the 6th heaviest of 34 years on record. The heaviest was 1947, with 2.
In 1963, 20 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 10th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1963, 20 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 10th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Headley was 51. Of the 37 lost to cardiac events in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 46 and 54; the middle age was 49. Headley had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
Headley was 51. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Headley had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Headley was 51. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Headley had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
May holds 15.4% of these deaths in MI, more than any other month. Thursdays: 15.4%.
May holds 8.8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
May holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Ann Arbor Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 5.5% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Ann Arbor Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Headley among them.
Where
Military Service
Headley Downey served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Headley Downey’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 21-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Ann Arbor Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
