Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer James Meeks was shot and killed while responding to a robbery in progress at the Hi-Lo Super Market at 3027 Bagley Avenue around 8:15 p.m. He and his partner were pulling into their precinct when they were dispatched to the call. When the officers arrived at the scene, Officer Meeks exited the car and was immediately confronted by the armed suspect. Officer Meeks was able to shoot the suspect several times, but was fatally shot in the chest. The suspect, a convicted felon, was then shot and killed by the other officer as he reached for his weapon. The female accomplice was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Officer Meeks was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War and served with the Detroit Police Department for nine years, assigned to the Youth Bureau. He was awarded the Detroit Police Department Distinguished Medal of Valor posthumously.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-6F8623D0- 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 Meeks gave the Detroit Police Department 9 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
James E. Meeks, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer James E. Meeks, Jr. 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. James E. Meeks, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How James E. Meeks, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James E. Meeks, Jr. is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James E. Meeks, Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
