Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Henry Puffer was shot and killed when he interrupted five youths robbing a service station at Vinewood and West Warren. The suspects opened fire on him before he could draw his weapon. Although mortally wounded, he chased the suspects a short distance before collapsing. He was transported to Detroit Receiving Hospital where he was pronounced dead. One of the suspects was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. Another was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life. He had shot and killed a drug store clerk a week earlier. He was paroled in 1961 and the other suspect was paroled in 1960. Of the other three, one was sentenced to 5 to 10 years for armed robbery and the other two were sentenced to 3 to 5 years for armed robbery. All five had committed several armed robberies. Neither they nor the police could get an exact count but it was several. Officer Puffer had served with the Detroit Police Department for two 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 Puffer gave the Detroit Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Puffer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Henry G. Puffer 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. Henry G. Puffer's cause is highlighted.
How Henry G. Puffer Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Henry G. Puffer is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Henry G. Puffer was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
