John G. Gordon

Detroit Police Department — Detroit, MI

Felonious

End of Watch January 3, 1914

Age 36

Tour of Duty 2 yrs 6 mo

The Vigil Panel 28 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 249

Incident

Police Officer John Gordon was shot and killed while attempting to arrest five men who had just committed several robberies in the area. Shortly after receiving a lookout for the men, Officer Gordon spotted the group at the intersection of Clinton Street and Dubois Street. As he approached them two of the subjects immediately opened fire. Despite being mortally wounded, Officer Gordon was able to crawl to a call box and call for help. He was taken to a local hospital where he was able to identify four of the five suspects before dying later in the morning. Two of the subjects, 22 and 24, were convicted of murder sentenced to life in prison. On December 12, 1969, the 22-year-old suspect's sentence was commuted to time served. He had been in prison the longest of any inmate. In poor health, he was transferred to a nursing home. Two others were convicted of robbery and sentenced to 7 to 15 years. Officer Gordon had served with the Detroit Police Department for 2-1/2 years and was assigned to the Hunt Street Station.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MI-3D852125
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Gordon 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 Gordon.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Detroit Police Department

Location Detroit, MI

Platform Identity detpd.wayne.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 3, 1914

Tour of Duty 2 yrs 6 mo

Age 36

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Sentenced to life

Police Officer John G. Gordon 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.

Detroit Police Department

177

of 250 officers

70.8% Felonious

MI — Statewide

426

of 718 officers

59.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious