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Incident
Patrolman Gary McCullen was shot and killed by the owner of a bar when he and two other officers entered the bar seeking suspects. The suspects were watned in connection with the robbery of a bowling alley and two bars earlier in the evening that resulted in two other officers being shot. Patrolman McCullen, and the other officers in civilian clothing, entered the Annex bar through the fire exit, carrying their shotguns while a uniformed officer waited outside the front entrance. The officers shouted that two officers had been shot and ordered everyone to freeze. As Patrolman McCullen disarmed the bouncer, the bar's owner opened fire from a storage room hitting Patrolman McCullen in the back. Patrolman McCullen began running to the storage room, but collapsed from his injuries as he reached steps leading to the room. Despite being mortally wounded, Patrolman McCullen returned fire as the bar owner fired again through the door hitting Patrolman McCullen once in the head. Upon hearing the shots the uniformed officer entered the bar and shouted that they were police officers. The bar owner testified that he believed that the two officers were the same robbers that struck other bars earlier that evening and did not realize they were policemen until the uniformed officer entered the bar. He was charged with manslaughter, but the case was dismissed as a combination of self defense and mistaken identity on February 2nd, 1968. Patrolman McCullen had served with the Saginaw Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman McCullen gave the Saginaw Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Saginaw community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman McCullen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Saginaw Police Department has lost 8 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Gary is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Gary is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gary is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1967, 2 officers at Saginaw Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1967, 4 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1967, 105 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1967, 107 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gary was 21. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Saginaw Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 37; the middle age was 36. Gary had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
Gary was 21. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Gary had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Gary was 21. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Gary had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gary was 21. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gary had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 50% of these deaths at Saginaw Police Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 33.3%.
December holds 12.3% of these deaths in MI, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 8 deaths at Saginaw Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 31.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Saginaw Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Gary among them.
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.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Saginaw Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
