Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Stephens was shot and killed while backing up another officer at a call involving a man with a gun. When they arrived they encountered the man, who then fled into a nearby building at 8584 Chrysler Service Drive. As the two officers ran after him he began firing, fatally wounding Officer Stephens. The suspect, 45, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life. In October of 1980, the Michigan Supreme Court commuted his conviction to voluntary manslaughter and ordered another sentencing hearing. Officer Stephens, who was assigned to the 13th (Woodward) Precinct, had served with the Detroit Police Department for 2 and a half years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, and his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-097A6659- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Stephens gave the Detroit Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Stephens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Brendt Leroy Stephens is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Detroit Police Department, 177 of 250 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Brendt Leroy Stephens's cause is highlighted.
How Brendt Leroy Stephens Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Brendt Leroy Stephens is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Brendt Leroy Stephens was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
