Incident
Police Officer Steven Reuther was shot and killed when he was ambushed at the police station at 35 Neckel Court as he arrived to begin his shift. The subject had been waiting outside the police station for approximately 45 minutes. As Officer Reuther drove into the parking lot, the subject pulled in behind him and parked several spots away from him. When Officer Reuther started walking into the police station, the man opened fire with an AK-47 rifle, striking him in the back of the head and killing him instantly. The man fled the scene but returned eight minutes later and turned himself into the chief of police. The man was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a state mental hospital. Officer Reuther had served with the Milan Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-A24995E9- 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 Reuther gave the Milan Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Milan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Reuther.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Steven Joseph Reuther 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Steven Joseph Reuther's cause is highlighted.
How Steven Joseph Reuther Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed to state hospital
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Steven Joseph Reuther is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Steven Joseph Reuther was killed by rifle; ak-47.