Thomas F. Madden

Detroit Police Department — Detroit, MI

Felonious

End of Watch December 9, 1913

Age 36

The Vigil Panel 28 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 249

Incident

Police Officer Thomas Madden was shot and killed while attempting to question two joy riders in a stolen car at 2 a.m. Officer Madden jumped onto the running board of the suspects' vehicle and told them to stop. One of the men then shot him in the stomach. Although wounded, Officer Madden continued holding onto the car until it hit a curb at the intersection of Woodward Avenue and Bethune Avenue. The 17-year-old gunman was shot and killed as he attempted to rob a grocery store on February 22, 1914. His accomplice was later arrested and gave police information which lead to the identity of the gunman. He was charged with complicity in the murder, tried and acquitted. Officer Madden was assigned the Bethune Avenue Station.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MI-A0176D60
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 Madden served with the Detroit Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Madden.

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

Agency

Department Detroit Police Department

Location Detroit, MI

Platform Identity detpd.wayne.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 9, 1913

Age 36

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Shot and killed later

Police Officer Thomas F. Madden 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.

Detroit Police Department

177

of 250 officers

70.8% Felonious

MI — Statewide

426

of 718 officers

59.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious