Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Officer Brandsma and Detective Samuel Slater were shot and killed after responding to a house to arrest suspect bank robbers, four men and a woman. Detective Slater and Officer Brandsma were acting on a tip that said two suspected bank robbers were at a house at 455 Weaver Street SE (Present day Ardmore Street SE) . The tip was thought to be false by Detective Slater since so many tips had been false throughout the day. Detective Slater elected to take just one officer, Officer Brandsma, to assist him. As the officers arrived at the home of the tipster, who lived across from the suspect's home, the suspects saw them and turned out all the lights. The two officers watched the home for a short time, and then decided to go knock on the door. As the two officers were walking up the sidewalk leading to the door of the suspect's home, shots rang out. Detective Slater was shot through the door. Officer Brandsma rushed the door and forced his way into the home but was shot several times when be entered the home and was killed instantly. Detective Slater staggered back to the tipster's home where he collapsed. He was brought to the hospital by responding officers and died two days later. The suspects escaped in a stolen car. One of the suspects was captured in Detroit, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life. On August 16, 1931, during a riot at Marquette Penitentiary, a rioter shot him in the chest as he risked his life in an attempt to save the prison doctor and a fellow inmate whom the rioters killed. He recovered, and out of appreciation for his heroism he was released on May 4, 1932. On December 18, 1922, four men and two women in Denver, Colorado, robbed a federal mint bank truck of $200,000. As they fled from the scene a bank guard jumped on the running board of their car and shot one of the robbers. A month later the car, with his frozen body inside, was found in a remote area near Denver. He was identified as one of the suspects who murdered Officer Brand
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- 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.
Special Officer Brandsma served with the Grand Rapids Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Grand Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Brandsma.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Officer Gerrit George Brandsma 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 Grand Rapids Police Department, 8 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gerrit George Brandsma's cause is highlighted.
How Gerrit George Brandsma Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gerrit George Brandsma is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gerrit George Brandsma was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Grand Rapids Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
