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Michael J. Faulkner
Agency patch
Police Officer

Michael J. Faulkner

Oakland Police Department — Oakland, CA
Felonious
United States flag California flag
End of Watch June 27, 1981
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
The Vigil Panel 124 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 53

Incident

Police Officer Michael Faulkner was shot and killed while investigating a domestic disturbance. He and another officer were at the scene for a second time that night, but found that the male subject had left before they arrived. Officer Faulkner began looking for the man and obtained information about where he lived. The second officer began transporting the female to the man's location on Ghormley Avenue. When they arrived they observed Officer Faulkner talking to the suspect. When the woman positively identified the suspect the man began to walk away. As Officer Faulkner attempted to stop him, the man suddenly produced a handgun from his pants, turned around, and opened fire. Both officers returned fire but Officer Faulkner suffered a fatal wound to the head. The suspect was also killed in the return fire. Officer Faulkner had been a member of the Oakland Police Department for nine years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Faulkner gave the Oakland Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oakland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Faulkner.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Oakland Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Oakland, Alameda County, CA
Platform Identity opd.alameda.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 27, 1981
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1981, 126 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Michael had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Oakland Police Department has 54 officers remembered here, Michael among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer Michael J. Faulkner

Oakland Police Department · End of Watch June 27, 1981

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-E

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