Dayton A. Winegar

Detroit Police Department — Detroit, MI

Felonious

End of Watch March 8, 1930

Age 29

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Badge 1742

The Vigil Panel 59 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 249

Incident

Officer Dayton Winegar was shot and killed while chasing three robbery suspects. Officer Winegar was on patrol when he observed a youth run out of a haberdashery store at 7313 Jos Campau with an employee running after him. The store owner had been slugged and robbed. As the suspect made his escape along with two other youths in an automobile, Officer Winegar commandeered a citizens vehicle and had the driver pursue as he stood on the running board. In an alley near St. Aubin Street, the suspects abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot with Officer Winegar continuing the pursuit on foot close behind. As Officer Winegar followed the suspects into a nearby grocery store, one of the suspects turned and shot him in the head, killing him instantly. The suspect, a 17-year-old youth, was arrested at his girlfriend's home a few hours later. The other two suspects, ages 16 and 20, were also eventually apprehended. Officer Winegar's murderer was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled from Jackson State Prison June 23, 1955. Officer Winegar had served with the Detroit Police Department for six years. He was assigned to the Old Hunt Street Station, (7th Precinct). He was survived by his wife and two sons. Officer Winegar's grandson was a Detroit police officer who is now retired. Upon entering the Detroit Police Academy, he was presented with his grandfather's badge which he proudly wore during a very distinguished career.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MI-750DF058
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 Winegar gave the Detroit Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Winegar.

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

Agency

Department Detroit Police Department

Location Detroit, MI

Platform Identity detpd.wayne.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 8, 1930

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Age 29

Badge Number 1742

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Paroled in 1955

Police Officer Dayton A. Winegar 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.

Detroit Police Department

177

of 250 officers

70.8% Felonious

MI — Statewide

426

of 718 officers

59.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious