Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Coulter was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery at Prince Royal Bar at 3057 Gratiot Ave. Officer Coulter, who was in plainclothes, entered the bar and was confronted by four suspects, three men and a woman. They took his wallet and then, thinking he was the bar owner, ordered him to open the safe. When he told them he could not open it they shot him with a shotgun. Two of the suspects were captured 30 minutes later. The other two were captured the next day in Forrest City, Arkansas. The suspect who killed Officer Coulter was convicted of first-degree murder and armed robbery and sentenced to life plus 30 years in prison on May 8, 1958. He died in prison on August 15, 1994. Officer Coulter had served with the Detroit Police Department for 11 years.
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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 Coulter gave the Detroit Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Coulter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Donald W. Coulter 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. Donald W. Coulter's cause is highlighted.
How Donald W. Coulter Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald W. Coulter is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald W. Coulter was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
