Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Hutchins was shot and killed while off duty during an armed robbery. Trooper Hutchins and a companion were in Detroit when two men approached them and demanded Trooper Hutchins' wallet and his companion's purse. After giving up the items the suspects instructed them to walk to a more secluded area. As he complied, the suspects saw an additional wallet in Trooper Hutchins' pocket and demanded he hand it over. This wallet contained his identification and badge. As he gave it to them he suddenly pushed his companion away and drew his off-duty weapon as he ran a short distance away to draw the suspect's attention from his companion. As he turned back to the suspects he was struck in the head by a round fired by one of them. Four local gang members were apprehended and charged with Trooper Hutchins' murder in December of 1986. Three suspects were 17 years-old, one a female. All four were convicted of second degree murder and armed robbery and sentenced to 150 to 300 years in prison. Their terms were later reduced to 95 to 150 years. One of the suspects later received a life sentence for his involvement in two unrelated Detroit murders.
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BO-US-MI-55B0489D- Stewardship
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- 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.
Trooper Hutchins gave the Michigan State Police 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Michigan. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Hutchins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Paul L. Hutchins 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 MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At MI State Police, 27 of 57 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Paul L. Hutchins's cause is highlighted.
How Paul L. Hutchins Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Paul L. Hutchins is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Paul L. Hutchins was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
56 officers from MI State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
