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Mason James Samborski
Incident
Public Safety Officer Mason Samborski was shot and killed while conducting an investigation following a traffic stop.
He had stopped a juvenile subject, and when the juvenile did not have a license, he took him to the Rue Versailles Apartment Complex to drop him off with an adult. After arriving at the location, Officer Samborski realized that the subject had taken him to a friend's apartment and not his residence; he stated that he would take him to jail unless he took him to his home. The juvenile tried to flee, and a scuffle ensued. They fell down a flight of stairs, and the subject grabbed Officer Samborski's gun and shot him. The suspect fled the scene with Officer Samborski's service weapon and was apprehended the following day.
The suspect was found guilty of first-degree murder on November 19, 2010. He was sentenced to life without parole on December 16, 2010. In 2016 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the defendants, who were juveniles at the time of their crime and were sentenced to life without parole, was cruel and unusual and ordered new sentences for all who were. In 2022, he was resentenced to 40 to 70 years. He is eligible for parole in 2050.
Officer Samborski had served with the Oak Park Police Department for 4 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, child, parents, brother, and sister.
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Public Safety Officer Samborski gave the Oak Park Department of Public Safety 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Michigan. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Public Safety Officer Samborski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Oak Park Department of Public Safety has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Mason is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Mason is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Mason is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2008, 2 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 2008, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2008, 65 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 122nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Mason was 28. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Mason had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Mason was 28. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Mason had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mason was 28. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Mason had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 12.3% of these deaths in MI, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Oak Park Department of Public Safety. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 5.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Oak Park Department of Public Safety has 2 officers remembered here, Mason among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Oak Park Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw.
