Roll of Honor
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
- 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.
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
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Dayton A. Winegar is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
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. Dayton A. Winegar's cause is highlighted.
How Dayton A. Winegar Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dayton A. Winegar is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dayton A. Winegar was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
