Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant John Heffron was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery while investigating reports of forgery at a local saloon at 7505 Russell around 9:30 p.m. While he was in the saloon, four men entered and attempted to rob the establishment. Lieutenant Heffron identified himself and exchanged shots with the suspects. He mortally wounded two of the men during a running gun battle that ended outside of the saloon when he was shot in the stomach and hip. He was transported to Receiving Hospital where he remained until his death five days later. The two remaining suspects were arrested two days later and were both sentenced to life in prison. Lieutenant Heffron served with the Detroit Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, and a son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-8CD6831B- 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.
Detective Lieutenant Heffron gave the Detroit Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Lieutenant Heffron.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Lieutenant John J. Heffron 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. John J. Heffron's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Heffron Compares
Offender Outcome
Two shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Heffron is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Heffron was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
