Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Douglas Downing was shot and killed after responding to a holdup alarm at a bank on Michigan Avenue and Park Street. As Patrolman Downing entered through a rear door, he encountered a suspect who was fleeing the bank. The two struggled, and Patrolman Downing was shot and killed. Another officer shot and killed one of the three suspects, and three other suspects were apprehended. All three suspects were convicted of felony murder and sentenced to life in prison. Patrolman Downing was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Ypsilanti Police Department for 7 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-84BF0822- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Downing gave the Ypsilanti Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ypsilanti community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Douglas Donald Downing served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Douglas Donald Downing 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Douglas Donald Downing's cause is highlighted.
How Douglas Donald Downing Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed; Life in Prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Douglas Donald Downing is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Douglas Donald Downing was killed by gun; unknown type.