Derrick Lanier
Agency patch
Police Officer

Derrick Lanier

Felonious
End of Watch March 2, 1996
Age 27
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
The Vigil Panel 142 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Derrick Lanier was shot and killed while working an overtime assignment at a club at 9600 Madison Avenue. Two men whom he had escorted out of the club returned to the scene, and one opened fire. Officer Lanier attempted to draw his weapon but was shot in the head three times before he had an opportunity to do so. The gunman then walked outside, reloaded his gun, reentered, and shot Officer Lanier several times as he lay on the floor. He and his companion were apprehended the next day. According to two witnesses, Officer Lanier pushed them to the ground and out of the way of the gunshots as his final act, saving their lives. Officer Lanier had served Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department for four years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-EFBCF646
Stewardship
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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 Lanier gave the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Lanier.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Cleveland, OH
Platform Identity cmhapd.cuyahoga.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 2, 1996
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Age 27
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

Police Officer Derrick Lanier 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 57.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department
2
of 2 officers
100% Felonious
OH — Statewide
572
of 991 officers
57.7% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Derrick Lanier's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Derrick Lanier Compares

Age at Death
27
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
4
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Derrick Lanier is highlighted in Mar.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Derrick Lanier was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department are honored on badge.nw.