Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Michael Scanlon was stabbed to death after making a traffic stop along Six Mile near Beech Daly in Redford Township at about 9:50 p.m.
Officer Scanlon was working a traffic detail in the 8th Precinct when he observed the driver of a vehicle make an illegal turn onto Six Mile. He followed the vehicle into Redford Township where he initiated a traffic stop on Beech Daly Road. After the vehicle stopped, he removed the driver from the vehicle and began to frisk him.
While searching the suspect, the suspect attempted to flee and was tackled by Officer Scanlon. During the ensuing struggle, the suspect stabbed Officer Scanlon in the neck and back nine times. While trying to defend himself, Officer Scanlon shot the suspect in the chest, seriously wounding him. The round also struck Officer Scanlon in the arm. The suspect then stole Officer Scanlon's patrol car and service weapon and drove himself to the hospital, where he was taken into custody. Another person in the suspect's vehicle also fled the scene.
The suspect was convicted of murder in September of 2002 and sentenced to life in prison.
Officer Scanlon had been employed with the Detroit Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two young children, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-9CFF95A7- 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 Scanlon gave the Detroit Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Scanlon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Michael T. Scanlon 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. Michael T. Scanlon's cause is highlighted.
How Michael T. Scanlon Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael T. Scanlon is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael T. Scanlon was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
