Incident
Police Officer Roughley was shot and killed while attempting to investigate a murder that took place earlier in the week. Officer Roughly, who was in plain clothes, went to the home of a person of interest for questioning at 511 Clinton Street. He was accompanied by other officers who approached the front of the home. He and a partner approached the back of the house and attempted to force entry into the home in order to detain a suspect in the case. The rear door of the home opened a crack and a double-barreled shotgun was used to shoot Officer Roughly. A suspect was arrested and admitted to the murder. Officer Roughley had served with the Detroit Police Department for seven years. He had recently rejoined with the Detroit Police after serving overseas in World War I.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-E9B6CB34- 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.
Police Officer Roughley gave the Detroit Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit 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
Harold G. Roughley served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Harold G. Roughley 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%.
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. Harold G. Roughley's cause is highlighted.
How Harold G. Roughley Compares
Offender Outcome
In custody
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harold G. Roughley is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harold G. Roughley 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.















