Roll of Honor
Claude Lanstra
Incident
Patrolman Lanstra and Patrolman Erhardt Meyer were shot and killed by the driver of a vehicle wanted for hit-and-run. The two had been investigating the accident and had just left the police station when other officers heard several shots fired. When they responded to the scene at E. Jefferson and Wayburn in Grosse Pointe Park, the other officers found Patrolman Lanstra on the ground and Patrolman Meyer still in the patrol car, both mortally wounded. The responding officers spotted the vehicle and exchanged shots with it when they tried to stop it. Both suspects were apprehended. One later died in prison and the second was acquitted after receiving a new trial. Patrolman Lanstra had been with the agency for one year. He was survived by his parents and two brothers -- one of whom served as the police chief for St. Clair Shores, Michigan.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and two brothers -- one of whom served as the police chief for St.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-21234A91- 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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Lanstra gave the Grosse Pointe Park Department of Public Safety 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of Michigan. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Lanstra.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Claude Lanstra 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 Grosse Pointe Park Department of Public Safety, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Claude Lanstra's cause is highlighted.
How Claude Lanstra Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Claude Lanstra is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Claude Lanstra was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Grosse Pointe Park Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw.
