Michael J. Faulkner
Agency patch
Police Officer

Michael J. Faulkner

Oakland Police Department — Oakland, CA
Felonious
End of Watch June 27, 1981
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
The Vigil Panel 124 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Michael Faulkner was shot and killed while investigating a domestic disturbance. He and another officer were at the scene for a second time that night, but found that the male subject had left before they arrived. Officer Faulkner began looking for the man and obtained information about where he lived. The second officer began transporting the female to the man's location on Ghormley Avenue. When they arrived they observed Officer Faulkner talking to the suspect. When the woman positively identified the suspect the man began to walk away. As Officer Faulkner attempted to stop him, the man suddenly produced a handgun from his pants, turned around, and opened fire. Both officers returned fire but Officer Faulkner suffered a fatal wound to the head. The suspect was also killed in the return fire. Officer Faulkner had been a member of the Oakland Police Department for nine years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-AAA83244
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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 Faulkner gave the Oakland Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oakland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Faulkner.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Oakland, Alameda County, CA
Platform Identity opd.alameda.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 27, 1981
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

Police Officer Michael J. Faulkner 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Oakland Police Department, 37 of 54 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 68.5% of this agency's fallen.

Oakland Police Department
37
of 54 officers
68.5% Felonious
CA — Statewide
974
of 1,837 officers
53% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael J. Faulkner's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Michael J. Faulkner Compares

Years of Service
9
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael J. Faulkner is highlighted in Jun.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael J. Faulkner was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location